War of nerve refers to a prolonged conflict characterized by psychological and emotional pressure tactics where opposing parties aim to weaken each other's resolve and induce fear, anxiety, and stress. Unlike traditional wars that primarily rely on physical force, a war of nerve focuses on exerting psychological dominance to gain a strategic advantage. It involves intense psychological warfare with the goal of wearing down or intimidating the opponent by causing mental distress, demoralization, and uncertainty.
In a war of nerve, various non-traditional tactics are employed, including propaganda, disinformation campaigns, intimidation, and threats to stretch an opponent's mental endurance and resilience. The objective is to exploit vulnerabilities and manipulate emotions to erode the enemy's confidence, decision-making abilities, and willingness to resist. This type of warfare often seeks to leverage fear, uncertainty, and doubt to create psychological pressure, disrupt communication channels, and undermine the enemy's cohesion.
The war of nerve has evolved with technological advancements and modern warfare strategies, and its impact is particularly felt in guerrilla warfare, counterinsurgency operations, and asymmetric conflicts. It includes techniques such as psychological operations, gaslighting, isolation, and other psychological manipulation tactics. The war of nerve emphasizes the psychological dimension of combat, recognizing the crucial role of mental strength in achieving victory or undermining the enemy's will to fight.
