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About this quote

What does it mean?
Overwhelming force can end resistance quickly.
In plain terms
If you kill enough enemies, they will stop fighting.
What can you take from it?
Attrition is a method to end conflicts.

Where it applies

  • armed conflict
  • insurgency
  • occupation

Putting it to work

  • military planning
  • conflict analysis
  • historical study

Questions to consider

  • Does force always end conflict?
  • What are the limits of attrition?

Another view

It ignores civilian costs and long-term hatred.

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