rspective with scientific metaphors, he states that in keeping the dominant characteristics of both belligerents in mind. Out of these characteristics a certain center of gravity develops, the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends. That is the point against which all our energies should be directed. (Clausewitz, p. 595-596) By disrupting this center of gravity, the enemy is thrown off balance and if not allowed to recover, will, according to Clausewitz, eventually succumb.Clausewitzs Center of GravityIn keeping with his focus on the military aspects of war, Clausewitz defines the enemys center of gravity as the enemy army. He supports this with historical reference to such great military commanders as Alexander, Gustavus Adolphus, Charles XII and Frederick the Great. Clausewitz states, If the army had been destroyed, they would all have gone down in history as failures. (Clausewitz, p. 596) Though he acknowledges other centers of gravity, such as the enemys capital and his principal allies, the defeat and destruction of his fighting force remains the best way to begin. (Clausewitz, p. 596)If victory, according to Clausewitz is achieved through a military defeat of the enemys army, then the instruments of that defeat, adhering to his argument, must be military means. Using concepts such as concentration and speed (derived from both history and the physical sciences), he goes into detailed descriptions of how to achieve military success. His eventual goal is the destruction of the enemy army in one great decisive battle.Military means are employed to the same extent to Clausewitzs less significant centers of gravity (by order of priority): the enemys capital, principal ally, leaders and public opinion. The taking of the enemys capital may lead to the disruption of the enemy nation as a whole. Attacking an enemys primary ally is beneficial if you can vanquish all your enemies by defeating one of them. (Cl...
