The Mythology of the Liberator

Invasion is not liberation. Withdrawal is liberation.

The Myth of the Liberator is a ideological carrot dangled before the reluctant beast. To the driver, only the stick is a real tool, and its application is purely strategic.

Strategy is for commanders. Ideology has no place in strategy.

Ideology may benefit warriors and camp followers, yet there has never been so much as a skirmish over ideology, let alone a war.

Battles are fought for resources, tangible or otherwise - cattle, captives, goods or territory. Control of (or even simple access to) resources is not ideological, though the successful promulgation and manipulation of ideology may rank among its quantifiable benefits.

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