Final answer:
The breakdown in traditional military behavior is exemplified by the shift from chivalrous combat to mechanized and hybrid warfare, emphasizing strategy over bravery and increasing the role of autonomous systems and cyberwarfare in military operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The breakdown in traditional ideas of military behavior is best represented by the stark transition to mechanized and hybrid warfare, which rendered the old ideals of brave and chivalrous combat largely obsolete. With the advent of new military technologies, such as the crossbow during the Warring States era, new forms of combat arose that emphasized discipline and strategy over individual heroism. Additionally, the 20th century further revolutionized warfare with total, guerrilla, and terrorist actions, which blurred the lines between the battlefield and civilian life. Hybrid warfare, especially, is characterized by its multi-front nature including political, conventional, irregular, and cyberwarfare, challenging traditional military practices and increasing the use of autonomous systems and robotics.
In the modern context, military competence and heroism are often overshadowed by the randomness of survival in highly mechanized conflicts. Skills and bravery have less impact when facing the indiscriminate power of artillery or the sophisticated strategies of hybrid warfare. As a result, military behavior has fundamentally changed to an approach that prioritizes deception, largescale maneuvers, and avoiding direct confrontation, aligning with the principle of striking at weaknesses rather than engaging with strength directly.