INDUCTION OF MOAB AND FOAB IN THE MODERN BATTLEFIELD AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MILITARY STRATEGIES OF UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA

Abstract

This article takes the context of American MOAB or “Mother of All Bombs” with that of Russian FOAB or “Father of All Bombs” as variable of a shift in the conventional military strategies of both the states. The two traditional rivals are staging a new battlefield emerged out of 21^st century non-kinetic security anxieties. The traditional security anxiety faced by both states during the Cold War was addressed amicably through parity of military preparedness. This parity is breached in the 21^st century non-kinetic environment that gives space to the application of non-state actors as credible proxies while dramatically changing the battlefield maneuvers. It transformed the strategic thinking of both the states and shifted their conventional military strategies. To investigate the dynamics of MOAB and FOAB in reference to conventional military thinking, this research follows the inductive approach. The primary outlook of the analysis is supported by the existing portfolio of non-nuclear conventional weaponry with the application of the mixed method approach.