18+ Martin Van Creveld Quotes On Education, Religion And Socialism

The enemy resembles us. Therefore, he needs to be approached not as an assembly of 'targets' to be destroyed one by one; but as a living, intelligent entity capable of acting and reacting. — Martin Van Creveld

It is simply not true that war is solely a means to an end, nor do people necessarily fight in order to obtain this objective or that. In fact, the opposite is true: people very often take up one objective or another precisely in order that they may fight. — Martin Van Creveld

Our armed forces are not the thirtieth strongest in the world, but rather the second or third. We have the capability to take the world down with us. And I can assure you that this will happen before Israel goes under. — Martin Van Creveld

As history since Hiroshima shows, the best, perhaps the only, way to curb war is to deter it with such overwhelming force as to turn it from a struggle into suicide. — Martin Van Creveld

I want to put any number of assorted 'ists' - such as relativists, deconstructionists, destructivists, postmodernists, the more maudlin kind of pacifists and feminists - firmly in their place. — Martin Van Creveld

Except when war is waged in a desert, noncombatants, also known as civilians or "the people," constitute the great majority of those affected. — Martin Van Creveld

The combination of professionalism and technology may also result in narrow-minded specialization more suited to a debating society than to an organization whose task it is to cope with, and indeed live in, the dangerous and uncertain environment of war. — Martin Van Creveld

The problem is that you cannot prove yourself against someone who is much weaker than yourself. They are in a lose/lose situation. If you are strong and fighting the weak, then if you kill your opponent then you are a scoundrel... if you let him kill you, then you are an idiot. So here is a dilemma which others have suffered before us, and for which as far as I can see there is simply no escape. — Martin Van Creveld

We possess several hundred atomic warheads and rockets and can launch them at targets in all directions, perhaps even at Rome. Most European capitals are targets of our air force. — Martin Van Creveld

War is the greatest fun man can have with his pants on. — Martin Van Creveld

If you are strong and fighting the weak, then if you kill your opponent then you are a scoundrel... if you let him kill you, then you are an idiot. — Martin Van Creveld

Assuming China does not become destabilized and continues to grow, it will no doubt develop a military program in proportion to its resources. — Martin Van Creveld

A world without war is not in the cards. — Martin Van Creveld

Obviously, we don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons and I don't know if they're developing them, but if they're not developing them, they're crazy. — Martin Van Creveld

Sun Tzu does not need my praise. His work has lived for over two thousand years, and will surely live for another two thousand without any help from me. — Martin Van Creveld

The problem is that you cannot prove yourself against someone who is much weaker than yourself. — Martin Van Creveld

Never' is too much of a word. Nothing lasts forever. — Martin Van Creveld

In the future as in the past, both Clausewitz and Sun Tzu will undoubtedly have a lot to offer. — Martin Van Creveld

Life Lessons by Martin Van Creveld

  1. Martin Van Creveld's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of warfare in order to better prepare for future conflicts. He highlights the need for a flexible approach to military strategy, as well as the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.
  2. Van Creveld's work also emphasizes the importance of understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of one's own forces, as well as those of their adversaries. He also stresses the importance of understanding the political and social context in which a conflict takes place.
  3. Lastly, Van Creveld's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of technology on warfare, and how it can be used to gain a strategic advantage. He also highlights the importance of understanding the psychological aspects of warfare, such as the role of morale and motivation
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