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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 August 2009
The Caucasus may be likened to a mighty fortress, strong by nature, artificially protected by military works, and defended by a numerous garrison. Only thoughtless man would attempt to escalade such a stronghold. A wise commander would see the necessity of having recourse to military art, and would lay his parallels, advance by sap and mine, and so master the place.
Veliaminov (Baddeley 1908)When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt your edge; if you besiege a citadel, your strength will be exhausted. If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient …
Therefore I have heard of military operations that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen one that was skillful and lasted a long time. It is never beneficial to a nation to have a military operation continue for a long time.
Sun Tzu (1988)Russia's attempt to annex the Caucasus began in earnest nearly two hundred years ago. Since many contemporary studies of interstate politics begin with caveats about the sensitivity of their findings to particular periods of history, it seems worthwhile to say why I think the careful study of so distant a conflict is still useful.
Appropriateness
Clearly there are many things about the place and time which appear unique to both.
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