ABSTRACT
Narrowly defined it is the art of military command, of projecting and directing a campaign. It is different from tactics which is the art of handling forces in battle in much the same way that an orchestra is different from its individual instruments. The argument now is that there is a unified model of strategy; that strategy is an art and a science applicable to various contexts and situations. It is argued that strategy has five interlinked, but separable facets purpose, capability, will, terrain and tactics. A stratagem is different from a strategy; while it can be part of a strategy it is more often akin to a tactical manoeuvre. Deception can be useful in limited circumstances but is not necessarily crucial. No strategy can be perfect and great strategies can fall apart by events that were not foreseen. Randomness and even luck can derail any strategy; events can overtake even the best prepared.
