The New Aztecs

The Western way of war has come full circle. After centuries of evolution towards increased totality and brutality, it has turned back once again to the ritualistic and restrained methods of primitive warfare. Largely, this has been due to an interaction between the perceived lack of utility in contemporary warfare, developing humanitarian public opinion, and increasing professionalism among militaries. The implications of this for the West are potentially dangerous, and include the possibility that it will be unprepared for a future foe whose defeat requires more unrestrained methods.