Gen. Wayne Eyre on a new era for Canada's military

The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.

In *Supreme Command*, Eliot A. Cohen argues that great statesmen do not leave wars entirely to their generals. Instead, they actively engage with military leaders, questioning and driving them to achieve strategic goals. The book explores how these statesmen successfully managed military campaigns by being deeply involved in the details of war planning. Cohen's thesis challenges the traditional view that civilians should step back once military objectives are set, advocating for a more integrated approach to wartime leadership.