La stratégie photographique (Photographic Strategy)

Interview with Paul Virilio. The functions of the camera are
very similar to those of modern weapons: in this text the
opposite hypothesis to the above is developed, the engines of
war are seen as instruments of representation. The position,
composition and disposition of the enemy forces have always been
an essential element of strategy. In 1870 the watch tower and
the telescope were replaced by the camera and the balloon and
later in 1914 by aerial photography as a means of reconnoissance
as opposed to combat. Strategic photography must be dissociated
from propagandistic photography which is used to manipulate
public opinion. One can also consider photography to be as much
a part of military strategy as the ammunition, the fuel and so
forth. For war mongering also requires putting an arsenal of
images into action and the deployment of lighting techniques.
The strategy used depends on the war in question; the First and
Second World Wars, the Pacific War and so on. At the present
time, photography forms part of the image group which associates
photography, cinematography and video-infography and which,
thanks to the use of satellites, permits a point by point
control of the enemy territory. Observation satellites
constantly take photos around the earth's sphere. Each champ is
therefore able to see exactly what is occurring on the opposite
side at any moment. This represents the optimum means of
dissuasion. (Magazins Summary)