Technical means and strategic ends interact, not oppose, in warfare.

Evidence

But studying a determinative relationship does not mean ruling out an analysis of intentionality—that is, attempting to identify the strategic projects that govern the technical choices while at the same time being determined by those choices. Contrary to what simplistic dualisms postulate, technical determinism (means) and strategic intentionality (ends), although conceptually opposed, are not in practice incompatible. On the contrary, it is possible for the two to interact harmoniously. The surest way to ensure the permanence of a strategic choice is to opt for means that implement it to the point of turning it into the sole practicable option. — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 121

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Weapons constitute the essence of combatants, not mere instruments — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 609; Victories serve purposes beyond deciding battles. — Garrett Mattingly, The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 389; Weapons’ means, not ends, determine the form of violent action. — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 119

Related

• Weapons’ means, not ends, determine the form of violent action. (similarity 0.83)
• Weapons constitute the essence of combatants, not mere instruments (similarity 0.82)
• Analyzing weapons’ mechanics reveals the political form they impose on action (similarity 0.81)
• Victories serve purposes beyond deciding battles. (similarity 0.79)
• A combatant’s weapon defines the moral essence of who they become (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Weapons’ means, not ends, determine the form of violent action. #contradicts (0.75) — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 119
• Victories serve purposes beyond deciding battles. #expands (0.60) — Garrett Mattingly, The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 389