School of War Ep 236: Joshua Rovner on Grand Strategy
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Oct 3, 2025 Joshua Rovner, an Associate Professor of International Relations at American University and author, delves into the intricate dance between military victory and national security. He examines the contrasting grand strategies of Athens and Sparta during the Peloponnesian War, revealing how unrealistic plans led to prolonged conflict. Discussing contemporary parallels, Rovner highlights the strategic asymmetries between the U.S. and China, and the impact of nuclear weapons on modern strategy. His insights into historical and current military tactics make for a captivating discussion.
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Bridge Strategy And Grand Strategy
- Grand strategy and wartime strategy are separate scholarly communities that must communicate more.
- Wartime choices reshape peacetime options and vice versa, so join the conversations.
Coherent Grand Strategy Can Still Collapse
- Athens and Sparta each had coherent grand strategies aligned with geography and society.
- Strategic fantasies and misread ambitions turned durable grand strategies into decades of ruinous war.
Avoid Rushed War When Balance Exists
- Be patient when your rival's strengths counterbalance yours; avoid baited, rushed war.
- Heed sober net assessments like Archidamus and resist hot-headed urgings for immediate conflict.
