The Iliad tells the story of a war between two great powers, one that is fought over a minor issue and brings great suffering to both. A conflict over territory in the East or South China Seas, the future of Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula holds the potential to do the same today. Though war in the short-to-medium term appears unlikely, American strategists should heed the enduring strategic concepts illuminated in Homer’s epic poem.

Stephen Fallon is a freelance writer focusing on strategic issues. He is a graduate of the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre and a researcher at Wikistrat.