Editing Invasion (section)

===By land===
Invasion over land is the straightforward entry of [[armed forces]] into an area using existing land connections, usually crossing [[border]]s or otherwise defined zones, such as a [[demilitarized zone]], overwhelming defensive emplacements and structures. Although this tactic often results in a quick victory, troop movements are relatively slow and subject to disruption by terrain and weather. Furthermore, it is hard to conceal plans for this method of invasion, as most geopolitical entities take defensive positions in areas that are the most vulnerable to the methods mentioned above.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

In modern warfare, invasion by land often takes place after, or sometimes during, attacks on the target by other means. Air strikes and [[cruise missile]]s launched from ships at sea are a common method of "softening" the target. Other, more subtle, preparations may involve secretly garnering popular support, [[assassination|assassinating]] potentially threatening political or military figures, and closing off supply lines where they cross into neighboring countries. In some cases, those other means of attack eliminate the need for ground assault; the 1945 atomic-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ultimately made it unnecessary for the Allies to invade the Japanese home islands with infantry troops. In cases such as this, while some ground troops are still needed to occupy the conquered territory, they are allowed to enter under the terms of a [[treaty]] and as such are no longer invaders. As unmanned, long-range combat evolves, the instances of basic overland invasion become fewer; often the conventional fighting is effectively over before the infantry arrives in the role of peacekeepers (see "[[#Applications regarding non-state combatants|Applications regarding non-state combatants]]" in this article).{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}