TheMaverickSergeant

In this article I will argue that the moral equality of combatants is not implied by their consenting to be targeted. Early on, distinction between Jus ad Bellum and Jus in Bello will be made in order to begin to determine what is meant by the moral equality of combatants. Michael Walzer’s claims will then be explored, and countered by Jeff McMahan, which will in turn support the overarching viewpoint that combatant consent is far from automatically implied, with certain conditions in mind. Arguments for the suggestion of moral equality will be countered by discussion against it, and a proposed breakdown of moral equality will in turn quash the implication of combatants consenting to be targeted. Just War Tradition has cemented itself, and developed through time, between international powers from as far back as the fourth century. At this time, St Augustine of Hippo asserted that ‘…the pursuit of peace must include the option of fighting for its long-term preservation.’ (Catholic, n.d.

I #ChooseToChallenge: My Previous Self This article was first published in Wavell Room and forms part of their #ChoosetoChallenge21 series . "As [Auxiliary Territorial Service Women] leave us they deserve cheer...  by their efforts during the late war they have earned the respect and admiration  of fighting men everywhere and have rendered a service  that this country will not quickly forget." ~ Corps Magazine, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, January 1947 What follows is a personal account of serving alongside women in the British Army . Here, I lay bare my personal experiences and prejudices so that others may be encouraged to think and to act. Readers won’t see a critique of literature, nor theoretical models; I write to explore a rollercoaster ride which has forced me to reflect deeply on how I lead people. This isn’t an argument for, or a defence of, women in ground close combat. Instead, it is an argument against hindrances to organisational progression a

This article was first published in Wavell Room 'Do not let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition'  ~ Steve Jobs This article argues that military personnel need to take more care with the language they accept and consider the words they use more carefully. The example I use is; lizard. Leaders often don’t realise when they use or accept degrading language and it undermines our ability to lead. And yet, the fundamental problem here is not a misuse of words. It is the absence of a culture that embraces reasonable challenge and isn’t curious enough about the words in use or what they mean. This inadvertently permits sexism and other unacceptable behaviours. The solution? Leaders must be more curious about the words they use, what they really mean, and the impact they have. Moving from lazy insults to only using, and accepting, professional language will make us more effective and

Compassionism: Helping Business Leaders Create Engaged Teams and Happy People Whatever your role, if you lead people and want them to make a positive contribution within your organisation, this book is essential reading. Yes, the front cover is adorned with an oh-so-common platitude regarding people being the ‘greatest asset’. And, no, it is not about being a fluffy, soft, or cuddly leader. Compassionism is a candid, open, relationship-orientated book that hones in on collective communication and humanity. It is a book about people influencing people in a meaningful way. There are, nevertheless, nods to more sympathetic, lenient, and gentler qualities of leadership and management… and rightly so. To lead people, we really ought to do so in an authentic way which shows that we actually care about them and are there for them. Without these seemingly underutilised quieter qualities, leaders will continue to grapple with actually connecting to their people — the world of work needs more le

Image: GeologyIn LONG READ: Climate Change and Unity Introduction This article will show that the study of climate politics can reveal how successfully different actors have sought to govern the international system. Actors have, in part, successfully done this but there is a long way to go if efforts are to have any lasting and meaningful effect. The article will use neorealism and liberal institutionalism, structured on regime theory, as a handrail to show that actors in the anarchical international system cooperate successfully in order to govern climate change. How and why they are successful will be explored in detail using the two theoretical approaches, each having their strengths and weaknesses to discuss. The finding that although there is much to be done, and in difficult settings, different actors in the international system have successfully sought to govern issues within it — especially so when assessing the question through a liberal institutionalist approach. Empirical f

Image: myDr Depression is... feeling alone in a room full of people feeling like you don’t belong feeling an overbearing guilt for the way you behave and the person you are feeling like you can’t connect with the close people in your life feeling like you have to fight it alone feeling like you don’t have answers to questions until it’s too late to answer them feeling like a heavy burden to everyone around you feeling like it’s all your fault feeling like there is no end to it feeling despair when work mounts up feeling furious at people who try to normalise mental ill health to make themselves feel unhindered feeling indecisive about what’s right for you and what’s wrong for you feeling like you can’t answer the phone. Even the office phone feeling anxious when you bump into someone you should say hello to feeling trapped in social situations feeling no desire to eat three meals a day feeling like you can’t be bothered to shower or take the bins out feeling exhausted because you have