Carl von Clausewitz

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   War is not a goal in itself, but simply the continuation of a country's politics, using other, more violent means to reach the same desired outcome.

   On War · 1832

   War is a political instrument, merely employing more violent means.

   Clausewitz insisted no leader should start a war without knowing clearly what political outcome they actually want. He compared armed conflict to a tough negotiation, carried out with weapons instead of words. Without a clear political goal, he said, a war becomes violence without any real meaning.

   “War is a mere continuation of policy by other means.”

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