ON CLAUSEWITZ
In Scott Shuger’s April 26 review of “On Strategy II” by Harry G. Summers Jr., Mr. Shuger asserts that the main point of Clausewitz’s teachings about successful war- waging is that the people, armed forces and the government must agree on a clearly defined objective. It is obvious with this statement that Mr. Shuger has either not read Clausewitz or has not read him very well.
To set the record straight in this vital area, what Clausewitz actually said was that the people, armed forces and government must equally balance each other in their quest for victory if success on the battlefield is to be obtained. Obviously, even if the objective is clear and understood by all, it would not matter a hoot if the people did not have the will to see the conflict through; equally, a poorly run military would likely not post victories no matter how well defined and understood the goals were.
RAYMOND J. KEENAN, NORTH HOLLYWOOD
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