John Maurer

In this engaging discussion, John Maurer, an expert on Thucydides, Marc Genest, a political scientist, and Josh Hammond, a Navy commander, delve into the Peloponnesian War's strategic lessons. They debate Athens' rationality in going to war, explore the failed opportunities for peace, and examine the implications of an aggressive versus cautious strategy. With modern parallels to Ukraine, they analyze the harsh responses to revolts and the moral dilemmas of conflict, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Thucydides in contemporary strategy.

Andrew “Dex” Wilson, an ancient Chinese thought scholar; Timothy Hoyt, a counterinsurgency and modern conflict analyst; and John Maurer, an expert in sea power and grand strategy. They contrast Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Mao. They debate theory versus practice, moral forces and will, assessments and mirror imaging, and what classic ideas imply for Russia’s war in Ukraine.