ABSTRACT
Operational art emerged slowly as a distinct category of military art in the twentieth century. The changing nature of war and its increasing complexity rendered traditional definitions of strategy and tactics less relevant to contemporary and future war. As understood by nineteenth century military theorists, war, as a series of battles (or large single engagements) was the object of study for strategy, and battle was the object of study for tactics. Successful battle, which destroyed or incapacitated an enemy's forces, permitted successful achievement of strategic war aims.
