By name: distant-friendship-near-attack-strategy description: "Use when planning systematic territorial expansion across multiple neighboring states. Applies the 远交近攻 doctrine: befriend distant powers, isolate nearby targets, and conquer incrementally for secure, contiguous gains."
Distant Friendship, Near Attack Strategy (远交近攻)
A geopolitical doctrine for systematic territorial expansion that prioritizes conquering nearby territories while maintaining peaceful relations with distant powers.
Core Principle
"Gain an inch and it is your inch; gain a foot and it is your foot" - territorial gains from nearby conquests are secure and defensible.
Steps
- Identify the strategic center - Target the geographic "hub" that controls access to other regions
- Befriend distant powers - Establish diplomatic relations with states too far to directly threaten
- Isolate the target - Ensure nearby targets cannot receive external support
- Conquer incrementally - Take nearby territories piece by piece
- Consolidate before expanding - Integrate each conquest before moving to the next
- Apply pressure on the center - Use controlled territory to pressure remaining targets
Warning Against Overreach
- Attacking distant enemies while bypassing neighbors is strategically flawed
- Distant conquests are difficult to supply and defend
- Conquering neighbors strengthens your base for future expansion
Expected Outcomes
- Secure, contiguous territorial expansion
- Reduced risk of overextension
- Gradual dominance over the region
Verification
- Confirm that diplomatic relations with distant powers are established before initiating action against nearby targets.
- Validate that each conquered territory is consolidated and integrated before advancing to the next.
- Ensure that no nearby target can receive external support from distant allies who should have been neutralized diplomatically.