Adopting strategic defensive
- Using strategic defence
Description
The strategic defensive is a method of waging war employed throughout history, although the term’s use only dates to the early 19th century. It doesn’t require a state to defeat its attacker. Rather, the state must deny the aggressor the ability to achieve their objectives.
The strategic defensive best suits “status quo states”; the people of status quo states are happy with what they have. Their needs can be met without recourse to intimidation or violence. These states also tend to be militarily weak relative to potential aggressors, and aren’t aggressors themselves.
Claim
Defence is the naturally stronger position in war, compared to attack. It is harder to capture ground (including sea and airspace) than it is to hold it. All aggressors must attack into the unknown, bringing their support with them. Defenders, by contrast, can fall back onto a known space and the provisions it can supply.