Decapitation (military and political strategy)

Sun Tzu said "What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations."

The Encyclopedia of War declares:

“  |  The strategy of disrupting or defeating an enemy by eliminating its military and political leadership, “decapitating” the army or society, has long been practiced in conflicts and advocated by strategists as diverse as Sun Tzu and Machiavelli. The principal benefit of decapitation is that much can be gained, immediately, from a limited operation. Removing leaders can bring victory in battle, decisively turn a campaign, or cause an entire country to fall. There are weaknesses inherent in this strategy, however; its success seems dependent on the specific context in which it is employed.[1] |  ”

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## Contents

* 1 Decapitation and military snipers
* 2 Decapitation and nuclear warfare theory
* 3 Decapitation and political/ideological conflicts
* 4 Related quote
* 5 See also
* 6 External links
* 7 Notes

## Decapitation and military snipers[edit]

Military snipers reduce the enemy's fighting ability by killing/injuring officers (and other high-value targets) and by demoralizing the enemy.[2]

## Decapitation and nuclear warfare theory[edit]

In nuclear warfare theory, a decapitation strike is a first strike attack that is designed to remove the command and control centers/mechanisms of an opponent.[3]

## Decapitation and political/ideological conflicts[edit]

In political conflicts, decapitation involves attacking the opposing political leader and/or leadership.[4][5]

The leftist political activists Saul Alinsky declared: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Don’t try to attack abstract corporations or bureaucracies. Identify a responsible individual. Ignore attempts to shift or spread the blame."

## Related quote[edit]

“..Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.." - Zechariah 13:7 (ESV)

## See also[edit]

* List of military strategies and concepts

## External links[edit]

* The Effectiveness of Leadership Decapitation in Combating Insurgencies

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Decapitation strategy, Gideon Brough, Alun D. Williams
2. ↑ Plaster, Maj. John L. (2007). The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting (2007 ed.). Paladin Press. ISBN 978-1-58160-632-4.
3. ↑ "Words of Intelligence: An Intelligence Professional's Lexicon for Domestic and Foreign Threats", Jan Goldman. Scarecrow Press, Jun 16, 2011. ISBN 0-8108-7814-3, ISBN 978-0-8108-7814-3
4. ↑ David Cameron's 'decapitation strategy' for Labour ministers
5. ↑ Labour in plot to oust Nick Clegg with 'decapitation' strategy in Sheffield Hallam