Abstract
This thesis evaluates Carl von Clausewitz’s trinitarian theory of war in the context of the conflicts of the post-Cold War era. For the past 200 years or so, Clausewitz’s theory has been both praised and criticized particularly since the posthumous release of his book On War in Europe. Using an interstate conflict in Iraq and an intrastate conflict in Syria as case studies, this thesis contends on the basis of the evidence presented, that Clausewitz’s trinitarian theory of war, embracing the primary elements of passion, chance, and reason, has largely withstood the challenges of those opposed to Clausewitz’s trinity, and demonstrated considerable explanatory power in explaining contemporary conflicts. Far from being relegated by the characteristics of modern conflict, the enduring quality of Clausewitz’s trinity of war in the post-Cold War era highlights both its ability to explain war and its paradoxical character for combining passion and reason at the same time. It continues to shed light on both interstate and intrastate conflicts and remains a strong starting point or first principle for both academics and policy practitioners in understanding the very essence of war.