Prospect of algorithms in warfare is horrifying

With few exceptions, most soldiers do not wish for death on the battlefield.

- FRANK GIUSTRA

Ukrainian rap artist turned drone commander Oleksandr Yarmak recruits soldiers this month. Technology that would make soldiers obsolete, writes Frank Giustra, would give warmongers an easier path to wage more senseless wars. That would be a tragedy.

While some warrior cultures, like the Norse, revered dying in battle as an honourable end, and some jihadists today believe in heavenly rewards for martyrs, these are outliers. The reality is that the prospect of being shot or blown to pieces is terrifying, making recruitment a persistent challenge.

A recent BBC article highlighted the increasing difficulty of recruiting new soldiers in Ukraine. After two-and-a-half years of war and more than 500,000 Russian and Ukrainian casualties, volunteers are scarce.

Consequently, Ukraine introduced a law requiring all men aged 25 to 60 to register their details in an electronic database for potential conscription. Conscription officers actively seek those avoiding registration, driving many into hiding.

In Odesa, the feared mobilization squads are known for pulling people off buses and from train stations, taking them directly to enlistment centres. These reluctant recruits understandably fear becoming another statistic in the front line “meat grinder” with Russia.

Throughout history, rulers and politicians have faced the challenge of convincing ordinary citizens to enlist for war. How do leaders persuade their populace to take up arms and risk their lives? As societies have become better educated and informed, these tactics have evolved. Leaders often appeal to extreme nationalism, dehumanize the enemy and create an atmosphere of existential threats, false flags and outright lies.