Support: July 20, 2001

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The world wide ban on anti-personnel mines is having some strange side effects. Since the United States didn't sign the treaty, nations that did will not train with us if we even use simulated mines in our operations. But it gets trickier than that. While nations that signed the treaty still train to clear mines, it is already becoming obvious that these "treaty nations" are not taking the mine threat as seriously as before. There are still plenty of mines out there, and many of the rebel organizations or rogue states treaty nations will face in combat are still using mines. Technology is also changing what a mine is. It's now possible to build EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) mines. These will destroy any electronics (including that required to run truck or tank engines and fire control equipment) in the immediate area. Are these considered mines? With mines outlawed, new designs are not going to be as readily available for treaty nation troops to train clearing. This will produce some ugly surprises in combat. The treaty is turning out to be another case of no good deed going unpunished. 

 

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