又中又英 | A war of attrition | 褚简宁

　　In a recent column, I explained the term “asymmetric warfare”. It is a type of warfare in which weaker nations can successfully defend themselves against more powerful nations by using weapons such as inexpensive locally made drones to attack their opponents. Both Ukraine and Iran are using asymmetric warfare against Russia and the US. There is another type of warfare being used in the US-Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war. It is called a war of attrition. A war of attrition is a war fought over a long period of time during which each side tries to exhaust the other until one runs out of weapons, soldiers, or loses morale, ending the war.

　　When Russia invaded Ukraine over four years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin was sure he could quickly win. But Ukraine fought tooth and nail, which means to use all your energy and resources to achieve something. The Russia-Ukraine war has now become a war of attrition, with numerous soldiers dead or injured on both sides. President Donald Trump was also confident of a quick victory when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran five months ago.

　　But Iran did not wave the white flag, which means to surrender. It fought tooth and nail. The US-Iran war has become a war of attrition. The Russia-Ukraine war is being fought with boots on the ground as well as with missiles and drones. Boots on the ground means soldiers physically present in a place. The US-Iran war of attrition is being fought with missiles and drones only. Trump is reluctant to put boots on the ground in Iran.

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　　在专栏最近一篇文章中，我解释过asymmetric warfare这个术语。它就是较弱的国家对着较强大的国家，仍能透过使用某些武器，例如本地制的廉价无人机去攻击敌军，而成功保卫自己的战役。乌克兰和伊朗对抗俄罗斯和美国时，都是非对称作战（asymmetric warfare）。在美伊战争和俄乌战争中，还用了另一种作战模式。它被称为a war of attrition。是消耗战，即在漫长的时间里，双方都尝试消耗对方，直至其中一方用尽武器、士兵，又或士气消磨殆尽，而终结战事。

　　四年多前当俄罗斯入侵乌克兰时，俄罗斯总统普京确信他定能快速战胜。然而，乌克兰 fought tooth and nail，意即全力以赴，用尽精力和资源去达成某事。俄乌战争现在已成消耗战（war of attrition），双方士兵伤亡惨重。五个月前，当美国和以色列联手攻击伊朗时，总统特朗普亦信心十足，认为可以快速获胜。

　　可是，伊朗并未wave the white flag，意即举白旗投降。他们也是奋力抗争（fought tooth and nail）。美伊战争已成为消耗战（war of attrition）。俄乌战争在用导弹和无人机以外，亦是以boots on the ground作战。 Boots on the ground是指派到现场的地面部队。美伊的消耗战（war of attrition）则只用导弹和无人机。特朗普不愿意派驻士兵（boots on the ground）到伊朗作战。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻