In large scale wars, the political objective will frequently be to subjugate the enemy. In such cases, the overall military aim will normally be to bring about the unconditional surrender of the enemy. Within this broad aim other aims, narrower in scope, are selected, as are the strategies to achieve them. Even a nation with no aggressive intentions must be prepared to safeguard its security and honour its alliance commitments. If these methods fail, and an aggressor initiates an attack or an attack is considered imminent, the use of armed force will likely be the only remaining option.
War has certain essential characteristics.
The recognition and intelligent exploitation of these characteristics is fundamental to the successful use of armed force in support of political objectives. War is an Instrument of Policy. Success in war is not measured by the number of casualties inflicted or territory occupied, but by the achievement of political objectives. War is an Act of Violence. War is distinguished from other instruments of policy by its use of organized violence.