[DanZ]

Yes, but sending Lenin had the purpose of knocking the Russian Empire OUT of the war. That was stupid too but it did have a war aim. The stupid part was starting the war because of a treaty where your treaty partner’s enemy has mobilized—short of war—so you jump in without considering the actual events that led to the decision in the first place. The Russians really did start it in their unreasonable support of Serbia over this particular issue. The rest just fell into it without considering the terrible consequences.

Are you saying that upper management made another dumb decision ?

[Alas Babylon!]

Well, not an uncommon occurrence.

You're a European. You know how they used to be. Always at war. Often a gentleman's game, but still, with dire consequences to the serfs and yeomanry.

When war really became destructive to all after the Industrial Revolution and Germany's ascendery to the European stage, well then it wasn't so fun for the nobles and the aristocracy. Even if they were cousins.