Free Republic

After the Napoleonic Wars, Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz wrote his seminal treatise, On War. Published in 1832, On War was not immediately recognized as the authoritative work it is today. SNIP I do not know if President Trump has ever read Clausewitz or heard of “center of gravity,” but he seems to instinctively understand the criticality of economy. He has pledged to bring the budget in line, create a better environment for business, and ensure America’s access to inexpensive energy. In this, he faces a Herculean task. The Democrats will fight savagely to stop him from achieving these goals....

First off, by waiting to strike, the U.S. keeps Syrian air defense forces in a state of very high readiness and forces Assad to continue guessing whether the U.S. knows where his high-value assets have been relocated. At the tactical level (front line Syrian military units) and strategic level (Assad and his commanders), the U.S. approach here means significant stress and abundant fear. This matters because effective military force and strategy is largely determined by the ability of individuals to operate effectively. But if individuals are fearful and exhausted, their operability will suffer. Even if marginally, this mitigates the threat...