The pandemic increases the power of Armies

All over the world, the same phenomenon is occurring to a greater or lesser proportion: the pandemic is reinforcing the role of the Armies. Never before, in the non-war period, have the Armed Forces been so present in all facets of a country's life: in the economy, in security tasks, in the anti-pandemic, health, logistics and scientific fronts. 

All countries, starting in China from where the virus spread, have resorted to armies, or will do so. Europe is militarized, and the United States will soon mobilize the National Guard. In Italy, France and Spain, the Carabinieri, Special Forces, the UME and other bodies are on the front line of the fight. In the southern Mediterranean countries, such as Egypt, Algeria and Morocco, the military are mobilised, when it isn't them directly, as in the Algerian case, who exercise economic, political and citizen security power. In most African countries, the army is the only organized force.

This observation leaves us with three lessons:

In crisis situations, and more specifically when the signs of an imminent collapse of entire countries are on the horizon, Armies are the only structured, disciplined forces with authority and social support, capable of keeping countries on their feet. 

The Armed Forces and the security forces, in the current situation, are better seen by citizens than political systems, parties and governments. The military is obeyed, the politicians are criticized.

Armies give nations a guarantee of continuity, confidence in the future and facilitate socio-economic stability. 

However, there is a question in the air that raises concern: will the hidden forces of power, which have led us to extreme situations in times of historical crisis, such as major wars, economic collapses and ecological cataclysms, be able to use armies as a last resort to safeguard the prevailing system? What is the prelude to this planetary military mobilization we are witnessing? Once the crisis is over, will the military return to the barracks?

It' s something that has to be put on the table, because the world of tomorrow, of the Day after, starts today and we have to know where we stand.