Key Points
Once the politico-military aimsof a warhave been clearlyspelt out,the next stepis to analysethe meanstoachievethemas part of theEnd-Ways-Meanscontinuum.At the level of grand strategy,there are two major ways to achievethe political and militaryaimsthrough a Strategy ofAttrition or a Strategy ofAnnihilation...
The strategy of annihilation is a military approach where an attacking army aims to completely destroy the military capacity of the opposing force..
A strategy of exhaustion can take various forms.These include implementingblockades to isolate an adversary and disrupt their supply lines;layingsieges to isolate, encircle, and put pressure on a fortified location; inflicting attrition through hit-and-run tactics as in guerrilla warfare; andemployingscorched earth policiesto destroythe physical ground and the resources thereon that an attacker might use..
However, it is essential to realise that both attrition and exhaustion can impose heavy burdens on a nations population and economy, making them culturally challenging and economically impractical at times.Thisis why nationsgenerallyprefer swift, sharp, and decisive campaigns to minimise theinevitableloss and sufferinginwar..
To elucidate, the terrainofourNorthern borders favours a strategy of attrition while conducting a defensive campaign.Buton theWestern front,given the terrain and relative strength of the opposing forces, a strategy of annihilation might be a better option..
