May 17, 2017
The President, the Pentagon, and the People
Carl von Clausewitz wrote, “Its dominant tendencies always make war a paradoxical trinity, composed of primordial violence, hatred, and enmity. . . .The first of these three aspects mainly concerns the people; the second the commander and his army; the third the government.” Clausewitz further wrote that to be effective, a nation must "maintain a balance between these three tendencies like an object suspended between three magnets." Examining the preparedness of the United States government, military, and people in ascending order of strength and importance is instructive.
Read the full article at Real Clear Defense.
More from CNAS
-
Drones, Missiles, and the U.S. Munitions Shortage
Reports
Executive Summary Drones have exploded in popularity since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. There is a growing view that inexpensive drones—“affordable mass”—a...
By Philip Sheers & Stacie Pettyjohn
-
Iran Blockade Costs Are Draining America’s Global Military Power
Video
As US President Donald Trump tries to force Iran into submission, a naval blockade is proving to be his tool of choice. But the operation is stretching the American military t...
By Becca Wasser
-
Iran Blockade Costs Are Draining America’s Global Military Power
Commentary
The US has poured billions of dollars into developing advanced weapons for a potential conflict with China. Now the Iran war has consumed a huge chunk of these high-tech arms,...
By Becca Wasser
-
Saudi Arabia Halts Energy Sites as Houthis Claim New Attacks
Video
Becca Wasser, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins Bloomberg to discuss the latest on the Iran War, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and th...
By Becca Wasser
