The activities characteristic of war may be split into two main categories: those that are merely preparations for war, and war proper.
Category: Carl von Clausewitz
Carl Philipp Gottfried (or Gottlieb) von Clausewitz (/ˈklaʊzəvɪts/; June 1, 1780 – November 16, 1831) was a Prussian general and military theorist who stressed the "moral" (in modern terms, psychological) and political aspects of war.
What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any other means — either completely or enough to make him stop fighting.
Defense is the stronger form of waging war.
War is not a mere act of policy but a true political instrument, a continuation of political activity by other means.
The more powerful and inspiring the motives for war …the closer will war approach its abstract concept…The less intense the motives, the less will the military element’s natural tendency to violence coincide with political directives.