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The military is an institution organized by the armed forces whose ultimate goal is to protect national sovereignty, the security of the state and the defense of its territorial integrity from external and internal threats. It is a key pillar in ensuring the stability, independence and cohesion of the country and also operates with a strict hierarchical structure. One of the most basic roles of the army is to protect the country from threats such as terrorism, attacks and war. It also participates in international missions in order to maintain peace, prevent possible attacks that may occur and therefore supports the state in critical situations such as humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

According to theory of war, War is a complex phenomenon that has political, social, strategic, moral and psychological dimensions. In particular, Thucydides, in his historical account of the Peloponnesian War, examines in depth the causes of war, presenting a realist approach that continues to be central to international relations views on war. According to Thucydides, war is caused not only by isolated events, but by deeper political, social and psychological causes. In particular, he stated that the war began because of fear, ambition and competition caused by the growing power of Athens. His view of war has been applied to various historical cases, such as the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union – the Cold War – or even to the current geopolitical competition that exists between the United States and China.

ENSURING SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY

As a key pillar of national defense, the army is crucial for protecting the state it represents from external threats as well as strengthening internal security. One of its main missions is to ensure territorial integrity. Preserving territorial integrity is one of the fundamental roles of the army and plays a vital factor in the survival and independence of a state. It includes actions and strategies aimed at protecting borders and avoiding any violation of territorial sovereignty.

Strategies, like tactics, affect almost every area of ​​human endeavor. In the armed forces, like strategies, tactics determine how objectives can best be achieved. Whether this concerns the planning of an operational war situation or individual movements. Policy guidelines in each case usually take into account national goals, ethics, laws, and values. These strategies use diplomatic, economic, psychological, governmental, technological, and other means, of which the armed forces contribute significantly with their action.

Military strategy is in fact a game that anyone can participate in, but only the most talented of the participants win prizes and rewards. National security, interests, risks and objectives, in short, form the framework within which policies, strategies, operational art and tactics fit together like pieces of a puzzle. National security interests are highly generalized expressions of the desires and needs of a nation, especially those related to the protection of its people, territory, traditional way of life, institutions and values. As the Chinese General Sun Tzu had stated “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will not fear the outcome of a hundred battles. If you know only yourself but not your enemy, you will lose a battle for every victory. If you know neither your enemy nor yourself, you will lose every battle.”

PARTICIPATION OF THE ARMY IN INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

The participation of the military in international missions is one of the key roles of the armed forces, especially in the era of globalization and the increasing need for cooperation to address common threats and challenges. One of the most important and visible roles of the military in international missions is peacekeeping. The military is often deployed as part of United Nations peacekeeping forces or regional organizations such as NATO and the European Union to help stabilize conflict-affected areas. Members of the military help monitor ceasefires, ensure the protection of civilians and guarantee the safe delivery of humanitarian aid. The military often participates in missions with the ultimate goal of protecting human rights and enforcing international law, especially in conflict zones where civilians are at risk from various types of extreme violence. Its main function is to prevent genocide, ethnic cleansing and other types of illegalities and violations of human rights, within the framework of mandates of international organizations such as the UN. Secondly, the military plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief. In cases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fires or floods, military forces are often among the first to respond. They have expertise in logistics, transport and the provision of basic services, such as medical care, food distribution and shelter. The military also plays a significant role in counter-terrorism operations aimed at reducing the global threat posed by terrorist organizations. These operations are often multinational and involve cooperation between allied forces in order to dismantle terrorist networks, prevent the spread of violent extremism, and secure unstable regions. The presence of international military forces in areas prone to conflict and resurgence of crises often has a positive effect by preventing further escalation of violence. Military missions can reassure regional allies and deter potential aggressive actions.

It is a fact that in some cases, the military presence of many countries is vital for preventing conflicts or limiting ongoing violence, thereby ensuring broader regional security. Through participation in international missions, the army is an instrument of military diplomacy. That is, it contributes to the projection of a country's power and influence abroad, thereby demonstrating a commitment to international peace and security. In the context of these missions, cooperation between militaries is also possible, which in the long term can contribute to the promotion of cooperation as well as to the prevention of conflicts.

The involvement of the army in international missions is an area that requires a high level of coordination and cooperation with international organizations, while at the same time strengthening Greece's international relations by contributing to shared security and stability. The army plays a multifaceted and indispensable role in national defense and security. Given that technology evolves and the type of threats changes, the army is called upon to adapt to new challenges, integrating advanced forms of technology and forming new strategic alliances in order to safeguard the interests of the nation.

The correlation between strategy and tactics is a fundamental prerequisite for the success of a military operation, as strategic decisions guide the overall direction of action, while tactical decisions ensure the effective execution of these strategic objectives in the field. When strategic and tactical factors work in harmony, then the operation has a greater chance of success.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bowdish, R.G. (2013). Military strategy: Theory and concepts. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Collins, J. M. (2002). Military strategy: Principles, practices, and historical perspectivesPotomac Books, Inc.

Handel, MI (1990). Intelligence and military operations. Intelligence and National Security, 5

Kennedy, CH, & Zillmer, EA (Eds.). (2022). Military psychology: Clinical and operational applications. Guilford Publications.

Lake, D.R., & Lake, D.R. (2019). The Army and Technology (pp. 183-222). Palgrave Macmillan US.

Nation, RC (2008). Thucydides and contemporary strategy. US Army War College guide to national security issues, 1, 120.

Staal, MA, & DeVries, MR (2020). Military operational psychology. Psychological Services, 17(2), 195.

Stone, J. (2011). Military strategy: the politics and technique of war. A&C Black.

Wylie, J.C. (2014). MILITARY STRATEGY: A General Theory of Power Control.Naval Institute Press.