The Art of Wargaming

There are many conditions which contribute to the conduct of combat. Some of these are related to moral forces, others are on physical forces. Regardless of the cause, we must look at all elements s...

11 Apr 20221h 36min

Clausewitz defines strategy as the employment of the battle as the means towards the attainment of the object of war. For our games, we obviously do the same, stringing together our isolated wins int...

28 Mars 20221h 35min

Doctrine in of itself can only get us so far. There are limits to what it can predict, and therefore limited in its usefulness. Criticism offers us a chance to compare doctrine to reality, and make ...

14 Mars 20221h 33min

How do art and science relate to and influence the activity of war? As Clausewitz has stated before, war is an extension of politics. As such, it is governed by the principles and rules of the day, as...

28 Feb 20221h 41min

We finish out this chapter of "On War" with Clausewitz describing how we can turn military science into art. In previous episodes, we've discussed the impossibility of positive theory and the various...

14 Feb 20221h 29min

Responsibility and awareness differ at varied levels of command. The front line trooper sees more of a limited area than the rear echelon, who themselves see more of the larger picture. Strategy, wh...

31 Jan 20221h 14min

It is easy, as a military theorist, to believe that an ideal system can be made to assure victory. While understanding maxims and established rules is important, it is also important to consider that...

20 Dec 20211h 35min

Clausewitz provides a framework for the development of theory and military science, introducing us to the goals and methods that lay the groundwork for later thought. The want of rules leads to conte...

6 Dec 20211h 35min