Letters to the Editor

War: An Extension of Diplomacy

2,600 years ago Sun Tsu, a Chinese philosopher/general wrote in his seminal treatise, “The Art of War,” that the best military leader is one that skillfully avoids active warfare, but if faced with no option except submission and total defeat, prosecutes the strongest possible aggressive war, takes no half-measures, is 100% aggressive, and survives with victory. His was excellent advice.

In 1832, General von Clausewitz, a superb German tactician and strategist, expanded on Tsu’s premise, stating that modern war was in effect an extension of [failed] diplomacy. His observation was and remains spot-on. American politics today is a metaphor for the dual wisdom of these two insightful warrior/ statesmen.