[tlb]

Wars are won by convincing the opposing government and its citizens that they have been defeated and must surrender.

When there are a dozen F-35s flying patterns over your capital city, everyone has to admit defeat. Drones or missiles wouldn't have the same effect. For the desired effect, fighter jets must be big, loud, and expensive.

[jcranmer]

How many times has shock-and-awe actually compelled surrender? Especially when you exclude the instances where shock-and-awe wasn't preceded by a thorough evisceration of the defending military, which tends to understandably play a role in motivating people to surrender.

[happysadpanda2]

I realize that I might be illiterate on this topic, but I always thought the "shock" in "shock and awe" was the thorough evisceration of the defending army.

If I am incorrect in this thinking, I hope someone will give me a better understanding.

[KptMarchewa]

Serbia in 1999 comes to mind.

[zwkrt]

That may be true, but I wouldn’t underestimate the terror caused by 100000 armed drones hovering over houses and streets and bridges.

[otabdeveloper4]

Jet airplanes are last millenium's weapon. You're more likely to make them laugh than surrender.