By the way, anyone watching what's happening in Mozambique?
It fascinated me, because it illustrates the concept of "combat morale" in a perfect way. Morale isn't just about sadness, downyness - too de-energized to fight - it is also a matter of having way too much to lose. A soldier who much more wants to go home to his family and friends, and continue living, is a soldier who will be unwilling to risk death or mutilation against some savage enemy. And it is 100% understandable - why would he?
"Because ISIS rebels have taken control of an oil facility and a population of over 100 000 people!"
"So? Why should I die because of that? I have but one life."
The ISIS forces count about 300 soldiers. Mozambique's military has (check's wiki) 11 200 soldiers. Basically, ISIS troop numbers represent only a decimal of what Mozambique can whip out - but that means nothing to a soldier who does not want to be one of "19 dead" or "26 wounded" SHOULD they obliterate those 300 ISIS troops in a single day (ISIS has been occupying a town in Mozambique since last year. Mozambique retreated from the area, before ISIS felt ready to take a second town, just now)
If a soldier knew that his equipment would shield him, at the very least, confidence could be boosted. But these troops have no such confidence. Let's wiki again: Mozambique has 100 T-55 tanks "status uncertain", 60 T-54 tanks, "status uncertain", BRDM APC, of which around 2/3 are operational, which leaves the operational ones still being 70 year old hunks of useless iron.
If I were a Mozambiquean soldier with access to... a callendar... I would know how utterly useless this hardware is. They could just as well charge ISIS in tracked wheel barrows.
So - they don't want to attack. They don't want to fight. They don't want to die - understandably. Instead, they've contracted South African mercenaries, who immediately drew criticism cus they did what mercs do - had fun shooting shit up willy nilly - from the safety of a helicopter.
This makes me think of the Finland-trope, where USSR is crushed by little Finland, and everyone's all "whoa, Finland has balls of steel!" - yes and no, Finland had just been through a remarkably barbaric civil war, brother on brother, everyone's a "traitor", so when the USSR attacked, they were still drenched in brother-blood, and fought like fucking beasts.
Finns today have healthcare, education, good homes, good families, plenty to live for.
Look at how Ukraine just stood back, when Russia imposed themselves in Crimea - and are still restraining themselves in terms of the Donbass rebels. What is the army for, if nobody wants to get hurt?
Certain countries "enjoy" a continual "access" to conflict, coupled with a high degree of technological superiority over their selectively chosen foes, and so their soldiers are well capable of waging offensive warfare, even taking numerous individual casualties. The propaganda machinery is well established, and well oiled. Not so for most else!