Why do big states lose small wars ?
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Abstract
This analysis investigates the phenomenon of small wars, particularly the defeat ofa state with a strong power by a weaker opponent and consequences for the wartheory. Firstly, it addresses the theoretical approach that supports theefficiency of small participants, highlighting the importance of irregular warfare. Secondly, it addresses the theories which try to explain the failure of strongparticipants in conflicts, such as: the interest asymmetry, strategic approach,mechanization and the democratization of war. Thirdly, two classic cases havebeen selected for analysis, the Vietnam war (1963-1975) and the Sovietintervention in Afghanistan (1979-1989),in the first case, of course, the major power involved was a democratic state,and in the latter an authoritarian one. Finally, it will be possible to draw a generalpicture ‘why do big states lose small wars’.
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