New Delhi, March 1 -- At a time when conflicts are unfolding across the world, and geopolitical tensions are rising amid the breakdown of dialogue and diplomacy, people may turn to the insights of Carl von Clausewitz to better understand the true nature and purpose of war.

Carl von Clausewitz's most famous quote is, "War is merely the continuation of policy by other means" In the original German from Vom Kriege, it reads roughly: "Der Krieg ist nichts anderes als die Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln", which roughly translates to "War is merely the continuation of political intercourse, with the addition of other means" or "a continuation of political activity by other means."

Carl von Clausewitz argues that war is not separat...