A few faults . . .

1) Use of mind tactics in military
2) No communication, just the physical approach to conflict
3) Military not united/organized
4) Use of children soldiers
5) Use of drugs by fighters to enhance their ability to kill
6) Loss of potential future for children (family, career, happiness)
7) Forced labor to get valuable resources
8) Permanent damage done to fighters of both sides
9) No safe place for people to go
10) Weapons are available to anyone
11) No moral code taught to either sides soldiers in training
12) Loss of self-identity when given identity of soldier (for either side)
13) Families torn apart
14) Innocent people brutally murdered/tortured
15) No aid from the outside to bring peace
16) Country stuck in poverty
17) Country living with constant threat of death and pain
18) Ignorance of the situation by others (UNICEF)
19) Lack of trust between citizens
20) Disease


In my opinion, the use of mind tactics in the war is the number one problem. In a way, it is what causes the war to continue. Ishmael is brought to the UNICEF camp, when he runs into the rebel children they begin to attack and kill each other. It did not matter that they were not on the battlefield nor did they have any reason besides some boys were rebels and some were military. It was forced into the minds of these children that anyone calling them self a member of the opposite side is responsible for their suffering and must be killed. The idea is reinforced many times over and I doubt it can ever fully be removed from these children's minds. The need to shed blood may become more under control, but they can never forget the feelings of hatred and anger that they once solely focused on. Soldiers also seem to follow a blind loyalty to their superiors. After the lieutenant pulled Ishmael through his first fight, Ishmael seemed willing to walk into any fight behind him. He never again questioned an order or fight and was actually hurt when the lieutenant wanted to save him from more fighting. It hasn't crossed his mind that he is being protected, only that he can no longer fight with his unit and carry his gun. Ishmael has lost his sense of self as to what he wants and needs. He only thinks of himself in terms of his place in his unit and even when he gets to the UNICEF camp he tries to create a new unit. He can't think outside of the war anymore.