Wars have been fought all through history,and we know about their causes and results.Wars are of different kinds like the common national wars between states,civil wars between parts of the country or nation within itself,and guerrilla wars made up of surprise attacks on occupying or government troops.
Large-scale national wars between countries or nations are not often fought now.We do not find equally strong countries like the US and Russia or Britain and France or Pakistan and India fighting a modern war.Now a much stronger country like the US attacks a weaker country like Vietnam or Iraq or Russia attacks a weaker nation like the Chechens or India attacks the Kashmiris.So wars now are not on one-to-one basis of equality.The stronger country,however,can destroy at will the poor or weak country after over is not needed.These weapons are nuclear bombs,ballistic missiles(fired into the air at fixed targets)carrying nuclear warheads,chemical weapons killing thousands and making millions invalid and useless for living, and other weapons of mass destruction that rich and developed countries possess.If these weapons are used repeatedly,nothing will be left for the winner or conqueror.So the effects of a modern war are still limited to the effects of the conventional or traditional weapons that are still used.However,these conventional weapons are the improved ones,much stronger and much more destructive than their old versions(original forms).
The aim of the powerful attacking country is to occupy the attacked country or to control its natural resources.So,it does not try to destroy its communication system or network,and its buildings and production centers like factories.The attacks and war,then,become limited and controlled,. However,within the conquered country,the limited war against those who oppose and use force against the conquerors continues.
The effects of modern wars and fighting can be seen in Kashmir,Palestine and Iraq most prominently.India and Pakistan fought limited wars in and outside Kashmir,but they did not destroy Kashmir and each other.Their object was to take or keep Kashmir.Israel does not want to destroy Palestine as she wants to keep it.If the Palestinians agree to accept it, all war can come to an end.America wants to have control over Iraq's oil and natural resources, and is trying to make her submissive.Her war against Iraq could have ended sooner if the Iraqis had accepted America as their lord and master.
Thus,though modern wars can be highly destructive,they are in fact not so as they remain controlled.The UN's role in keeping modern wars controlled is quite prominent.
