Editing Invasion (section)

===Pacification===
[[File:PSYOPS3ap.jpg|thumb|right|U.S. forces distribute information leaflets on the streets of [[Kut|Kut, Iraq]] in May 2003.]]
Once political boundaries and military lines have been breached, [[peace|pacification]] of the region is the final, and arguably the most important, goal of the invading force. After the defeat of the regular military, or when one is lacking, continued opposition to an invasion often comes from civilian or paramilitary [[resistance movement]]s. Complete pacification of an occupied country can be difficult, and usually impossible, but popular support is vital to the success of any invasion.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

Media [[propaganda]] such as leaflets, books, and radio broadcasts can be used to encourage resistance fighters to surrender and to dissuade others from joining their cause. Pacification, often referred to as "the winning of hearts and minds", reduces the desire for civilians to take up resistance. This may be accomplished through [[brainwashing|reeducation]], allowing conquered citizens to participate in their government, or, especially in impoverished or besieged areas, simply by providing food, water, and shelter. Sometimes displays of military might are used; invading forces may assemble and parade through the streets of conquered towns, attempting to demonstrate the futility of any further fighting. These displays may also include public [[capital punishment|executions]] of enemy soldiers, resistance fighters, and other conspirators. Particularly in antiquity, the death or imprisonment of a popular leader was sometimes enough to bring about a quick surrender. However, this has often had the unintended effect of creating [[martyr]]s around which popular resistance can rally. For example, [[Bobby Sands]], who died during a hunger strike in [[Maze (HM Prison)|Long Kesh prison]], became a symbol of the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Schuurman, J. | author2=De Jong, P.| title= The Legacy of Bobby Sands| year=2001 | url= http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/westerneurope/sands010727.html| accessdate=February 14, 2006}}</ref>