CarolleisaVietnam, Kosovo, Russia-Ukraine “began with limited expectations.
#escalationtrap. “Military actions provoke counteractions, each round raising the stakes. The conflict becomes less about the original political objectives and more about avoiding defeat.”
Inside the ‘Escalation Trap’: What Robert Pape’s theory reveals about the Iran war - Region - World
Wars rarely unfold the way their architects imagine. They begin with careful planning, limited objectives, and the promise of control. Leaders speak of precision, deterrence, and short campaigns designed to compel an adversary to change course. Yet, the history of modern conflict suggests that wars often follow a different path.