Arms race

According to the Danger Room blog, military researchers are working on "non-lethal" weapons including bean-bag launchers and water-pistols.

"The assessments done have shown the possibility of designing a portable self-contained unit of 1 – 3 Kg [2 to 7 lbs] that will generate a liquid jet with kinetic energy of up to 100 Joules. Such a jet will provide a damage effect at 5m [17 feet] distance."

Coming soon: pointing and laughing at the enemy, calling him names and slagging off his mum. Nightmare scenario: armed forces resort to first use of sticks and stones, resulting in broken bones.