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  • 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. . . . The complete or partial destruction of the enemy must be regarded as the sole object of all engagements. . . . Direct annihilation of the enemy's forces must always be the dominant consideration.

    Carl von Clausewitz, Michael Howard, Peter Paret (2007). “On War”, p.26, Oxford University Press, USA