The Signal Leak Isn’t The REAL Scandal—Forever War Is

What Are Frozen Wars and Forever Wars?

Many conflicts around the globe fit these definitions. An international security expert explains their differences, their duration, and potential ends

Wars have been fought throughout human history, and at any given moment multiple conflicts may have been unfolding around the globe. But there are different types of wars, and understanding how they differ is helpful in assessing the prospects for their resolution, says Richard Shultz, Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies and director of the International Security Studies Program at The Fletcher School.

Tufts Now recently spoke with Shultz about two particular types of wars—the so-called forever wars and frozen wars, their differences, and what those differences suggest about their duration and potential ends.

What are frozen wars?

A frozen war is one with ongoing, low-level conflict. There is fighting, but there’s no major combat. There may be some little gains here and there, but essentially it just continues for quite a long time.

Ukraine was seen as a frozen conflict after the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. The Russians took over Crimea, and then they also fostered separatist groups in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine. The conflict continued with sporadic..." from the article: What Are Frozen Wars and Forever Wars?

Video from Dad Saves America

The Signal Leak Isn’t The REAL Scandal—Forever War Is

"The Signal chat leaks are the story of the week. While the media argues over government communications security protocols, the precise definition of “war plans,” and whether Mike Waltz or Pete Hegseth should be the fall guy, many Americans are left with a much more important question: who, what, and why are we fighting in Yemen? The U.S. has 750 military bases across 80 countries, and just a couple of months into the return of “America First” to the White House, we’re already back to launching attacks in Yemen—without a formal declaration of war or even congressional debate. From George Washington’s warnings against foreign entanglements to Ron Paul’s modern anti-interventionism, we’ve been wrestling with this issue for a long time."

The Young U.S. Navy Battled North African Pirates

Barbary Pirates Demanded Tribute, Thomas Jefferson Chose to Fight

The Barbary pirates, who had been marauding off the coast of Africa for centuries, encountered a new enemy in the early 19th century: the young United States Navy.

The North African pirates had been a menace for so long that by the late 1700s most nations paid tribute to ensure that merchant shipping could proceed without being violently attacked.

In the early years of the 19th century, the United States, at the direction of President Thomas Jefferson, decided to halt the payment of tribute. A war between the small and scrappy American Navy and the Barbary pirates ensued.

A decade later, a second war settled the issue of American ships being attacked by pirates. The issue of piracy off the African coast seem to fade into the pages of history for two centuries until resurfacing in recent years when Somali pirates clashed with the U.S. Navy.

Background of the Barbary Pirates

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3rd US president (B&W)

FPG/ Taxi// Getty Images

The Barbary pirates operated off the coast of North Africa as far back as the time of the Crusades. According to legend, the Barbary pirates sailed as far as Iceland, attacking ports, seizing captives and enslaving them, and plundering merchant ships.

As most seafaring nations found it easier, and cheaper, to bribe the pirates rather than fight them in a war, a tradition developed of paying tribute for passage through the Mediterranean. European nations often worked out treaties with the Barbary pirates.

By the early 19th century the pirates were essentially sponsored by the Arab rulers of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli." from the article: The Young U.S. Navy Battled North African Pirates

Who are the Houthis and why is the US targeting them?

The start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 brought a new kind of conflict to prominence, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The US launched several attacks in response. The latest, in mid-March, shook the new Trump presidency after it emerged that a journalist had been invited to a messaging group in which his most senior officials, including the vice-president, were discussing details of the attacks about to be launched.

Why have the Houthis attacked Red Sea ships?

Initially, the Houthis started firing drones and missiles towards Israel. Most were intercepted.

On 19 November 2023, the Houthis hijacked a commercial ship in the Red Sea.

They have since launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial ships.

They have sunk two vessels, seized a third and killed four crew members.

US-led naval forces have thwarted many attacks.

The Houthis initially said they were attacking ships connected with Israel, or heading to or from there. However, many of the vessels have no connection with Israel.

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In response to US and UK air strikes on their positions, the Houthis began targeting ships tied to owners or operators in the UK or US.

The attacks forced even major shipping companies to stop using the Red Sea - through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes - and to take a much longer route around southern Africa instead..." from the article: Who are the Houthis and why is the US targeting them?

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