This thesis will discuss the new forms of warfare and how counterinsurgency operations are now the standard form of conflict for the British Army. This work will explore how fighting against an enemy that looks like those needing aid, either in the form of humanitarian aid, politics, peace-keeping or justice, can be extremely difficult. This study will examine how the rise of improvised explosive devices has shaped modern war and the measures that British soldiers have had to take to mitigate the effects of such devices. This will include uses of technology in the form of the Vallon metal detector and medical equipment, specifically tourniquets.
Through studies and research papers, this dissertation will debate the accuracy of the media reporting on frontline experiences and how this representation affects the British public opinion of the military and soldiers. Using the example of ‘Marine A’ and similar cases, the ethics of combat will be examined and how stresses of war can impact an individual’s ability to recognise ethical conduct. Equally, the trial for ‘Marine A’ by military court demonstrates the firm stance the military takes on breaking the laws and conventions of warfare while still appreciating the mental toll that combat has on soldiers.
To better understand the contrast between combat’s psychological effects on soldiers against the psychological effects on insurgents, specific examples of conduct must be examined. This is done by comparing the actions upon Highlander McLaren to those committed by ‘Marine A’. Through research papers and in-depth studies, this study will compare the similarities and differences in the psychological state between insurgent and counterinsurgent forces and how significant the damage to the psyche can be.