The Guardians--A Novel

It has once been said the military is an arm of the political will and policy of the state and its governing body. No where can that be seen, and the complications that arise when that military is not used for its purpose, more clear than in the changing role of the military of most nations over the last several decades. In our real world, the military has taken on new responsibilities and missions that in the past would not have been thought to be the role of a military force. Traditionally the role of any military is to protect the state and its citizens from the enemy—whomever that may be. Some nations throughout history have also used the military to maintain the peace within their own country or within foreign countries. From this use a paradox arises of the citizens of the state becoming also the enemy of the state.

It is in this paradox that nations become embroiled in peace building, nation building, and humanitarian work using a military that may not be trained for it and who are given conflicting rules of engagement. Thankfully recognizing that no soldier is a robot and is much more than his or her training, it is that training that a soldier relies on to execute their mission. The military is trained how to fight, how to kill, and how to overcome their enemy by the best strategy available to them. This training traditionally has not included how to win the hearts and minds of those frightened by roving bands or how to convince those who have a view that would bring harm to the state to surrender their view. It is within this paradox that modern soldiers find themselves today and those military characters in my novel will find themselves. War has changed to what is described as fourth generation warfare. Societies and the states have evolved to a frame of mind toward the role of the state in such domestic and foreign warfare and conflicts and with it comes chaos and leaves politicians forcing their military to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The question that I ask myself as I work on this story: Despite the politician’s conflict in orders or lack of foresight, can a well trained military still save victory and succeed in building or maintaining a peaceful and flourishing nation?

Thank you for reading and please visit www.davidalanlucas.com for updates to blogs and stories that I write.