ABSTRACT
One of the presumed virtues of a unified security structure, beyond its importance of creating a collective identity, instilling civic virtue, and a means of rallying around the flag during times of crisis, is to formulate a good defense strategy. Developing a plan defining overall objectives, prioritizing their importance in descending order, and linking and allocating means and resources to specific ends are the hallmarks of strategic thinking. All the more so does one expect strategic thinking to prevail in preparing for a military confrontation with a superior enemy which is likely to result in considerable loss of life and property and a major downturn in local economic conditions. As warfare throughout the ages often proved, economic and ecological degradation will be all the greater in war zones in which major population centers and important lines of communication and traffic within the contender’s territory are situated. In short, the greater the asymmetry between the two contestants and the more contiguous the two sides, the greater the need for a clear strategy. It is little wonder then that one of the greatest guerrilla leaders, Mao Zedong, stressed the importance of strategic vision and planning to deal with dyadic asymmetry (Tse-tung 1967, 79-80).
