Who are "The Strategists"?

[Steve Blair]

I guess part of it depends on how you define “strategist.” Certain other factors also have to be considered. Europe’s history is more extensive than that of the US, and the involvement of higher military figures in actual government and policy-making has been higher. There was also a significant period of US history where our focus was very much inward (although the Frontier expansion was warfare and did involve strategy…although not in what might be considered the traditional or European sense), and our political structure has always militated against the formation of long-term policy.

That said, I do believe we have produced more than a few “grand strategists.” By that I mean strategy that focuses on the integrated (political and military) level and tries to carry over through more than one 2-year election cycle. Theodore Roosevelt was one of our first in my view. Nixon attempted to be one, and did meet with some successes on the political side. Wilson thought he was one, as did MacArthur.

[William F. Owen]

I guess part of it depends on how you define “strategist.”

I am not sure you can. Mao knew how to set forth a policy via all instruments of power, but I am not sure that he did it alone.
Does asking "Who are the great leaders" ask the same question. My opinion of Hannibal would suggest "No," in his case.

[Steve Blair]

I am not sure you can. Mao knew how to set forth a policy via all instruments of power, but I am not sure that he did it alone.

Ah, but to me that's one of the hallmarks of a good strategist...knowing when to get others to buy in and how to coordinate that effort. Nimitz was good at that. I agree that in many ways it's not a solitary effort, but there is still usually a guiding idea or vision lurking in the back of that coordinated effort.

[John T. Fishel]

1. Have expressed the strategic contributuon in writing - either writing oneself or having the essence of your strategic thought captured by others and credited to you.
2. Having seen one's strategic innovations applied successfully in the field.

In both cases need to encompass ends, ways, and means and remember that the enemy has a vote.

I would then nominate Henry Kissinger as a strategiston the basis of his books Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy and The Necessity for Choice. I would also nominate my friend and colleague Max Manwaring.

Cheers

JohnT

[William F. Owen]

Ah, but to me that's one of the hallmarks of a good strategist...knowing when to get others to buy in and how to coordinate that effort.

Concur. Good point. Useful.

1. Have expressed the strategic contributuon in writing - either writing oneself or having the essence of your strategic thought captured by others and credited to you.
2. Having seen one's strategic innovations applied successfully in the field.

Very tough criteria, but leaves me back at Clausewitz!

I would also nominate my friend and colleague Max Manwaring.

In that context, I would also nominate Colin S. Gray (also a friend). I shall endeavour to acquaint myself more with Max Manwaring.