Strategic Studies

Exam

Dr. Mohamed Fareed

Professor of Political Science, Strategic Studies, and

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 Exam Instructions
1. Total Marks: 30
2. Time Allowed: 60 Min.
3. Read All Questions Carefully before attempting them.
4. Structure of the Test:
o Section I: Correction Questions (Identify and Correct the Error) –
Minimal weight. Identify the error in the statement and rewrite the
correct version. Underline the corrected part.
o Section II: Short Essay Questions – Provide detailed responses with
well-structured arguments.
o Section III: Critical Thinking Question – Answer in approximately 4-5
paragraphs, demonstrating analysis and reasoning.
5. General Guidelines:
o Answers should be clear, concise, and well-organized.
o Justify your corrections where necessary.
o Use examples where applicable to support your arguments.
o Stay within the time limit to ensure all questions are attempted.
6. Grading Criteria:
o Accuracy of corrections (where applicable).
o Depth of analysis and clarity of explanation.
o Logical structure and coherence of arguments.
7. Submission Instructions:
o Ensure your answers are clearly numbered.
o Write legibly (if handwritten) or ensure proper formatting (if typed).
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 o Submit your answers before the deadline.
Good luck!

Exam Questions
Section I: Indicate whether each of the following statements is Correct or
Incorrect. Write Correct or Incorrect clearly next to each statement. Then correct
the mistaken ones.
1. _____ Strategic studies is solely focused on military aspects of international
relations, neglecting diplomatic and economic dimensions.
2. _____ Clausewitz believed that war is an autonomous phenomenon,
separate from political objectives.
3. _____ Realists argue that international cooperation is always possible and
easily achievable.
4. _____ Liberal IR theory suggests that democratic states are inherently more
peaceful than authoritarian states.
5. _____ Guerrilla warfare is typically more effective for offensive operations
than defensive ones.
Section II: Multiple Choice (2 points each, 40 points total)
Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. Strategic Studies is primarily concerned with:
a) Economic development in developing nations.
b) Cultural exchange and understanding between states.
c) The use of power to achieve political objectives in international relations.
d) international law and organizations.
2. Which of the following best defines "strategy" in the context of strategic
studies?
a) A detailed tactical plan for a specific military operation.

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 b) The overall plan for utilizing all instruments of national power to secure
policy objectives.
c) The deployment and maneuver of military forces on the battlefield.
d) Negotiations between states to resolve disputes peacefully.
3. Sun Tzu's The Art of War emphasizes the importance of:
a) Honorable conduct in warfare and direct confrontation.
b) Achieving victory with minimal bloodshed and through deception.
c) Technological superiority as the key to military success.
d) Strict adherence to traditional military doctrines.
4. Clausewitz's concept of "fog of war" refers to:
a) The unpredictable weather conditions often encountered during battles.
b) The psychological confusion and uncertainty inherent in warfare.
c) The smoke and dust obscuring the battlefield.
d) The difficulty in communicating effectively in a combat environment.
5. Machiavelli, in The Prince, primarily focuses on:
a) Idealistic principles of just governance and ethical leadership.
b) The practical realities of acquiring and maintaining political power, even
through morally questionable means.
c) The importance of religious piety in ensuring the stability of a state.
d) The benefits of republicanism over monarchy.
Section III: Essay Questions (Choose TWO out of THREE, 20 points each, 40
points total)
Essay 1: Compare and contrast the strategic thought of Sun Tzu and Carl von
Clausewitz.

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--- End of Midterm Exam ---
Model Answer
Section I: Indicate Whether Each Statement is Correct or Incorrect
1. Incorrect – Strategic studies is not solely focused on military aspects; it also
considers diplomacy, economic factors, and broader security concerns.
Correction: Strategic studies examines military, diplomatic, economic, and
political factors that influence international security and conflict.
2. Incorrect – Clausewitz did not believe war was autonomous; he
emphasized that war is a continuation of politics by other means.
Correction: Clausewitz argued that war is fundamentally a political
instrument, subordinate to political objectives.
3. Incorrect – Realists believe that international cooperation is difficult due to
the anarchic nature of the international system and the self-interest of
states.
Correction: Realists argue that international cooperation is challenging due
to state self-interest, security dilemmas, and the absence of a central
authority to enforce agreements.
4. Correct – Liberal IR theory suggests that democratic states are generally
more peaceful in their relations with other democracies (Democratic Peace
Theory).
5. Incorrect – Guerrilla warfare is generally more effective in defensive
operations, leveraging local support and terrain advantages to wear down a
stronger opponent.
Correction: Guerrilla warfare is typically more effective for defensive
operations, allowing smaller forces to resist and outlast a more powerful
adversary through asymmetric tactics.
Section II: Multiple Choice (2 points each, 40 points total)
Choose the best answer for each question.

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 1. Strategic Studies is primarily concerned with:
c) The use of power to achieve political objectives in international relations.
2. Which of the following best defines "strategy" in the context of strategic
studies?
b) The overall plan for utilizing all instruments of national power to secure
policy objectives.
3. Sun Tzu's The Art of War emphasizes the importance of:
b) Achieving victory with minimal bloodshed and through deception.
4. Clausewitz's concept of "fog of war" refers to:
b) The psychological confusion and uncertainty inherent in warfare.
5. Machiavelli, in The Prince, primarily focuses on:
b) The practical realities of acquiring and maintaining political power, even
through morally questionable means.
Section III: Essay Questions (Choose TWO out of THREE, 20 points each, 40
points total)
Essay 1: Compare and contrast the strategic thought of Sun Tzu and Carl von
Clausewitz.
Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz, two foundational figures in strategic thought,
offer distinct yet insightful perspectives on warfare. A key similarity lies in their
understanding of war as a tool of policy. Both recognize that war is not an end in
itself but a means to achieve political objectives. For Sun Tzu, this is encapsulated
in the idea of “subduing the enemy without fighting,” aligning military action with
overarching state goals. Clausewitz famously states that war is "politics by other
means," emphasizing its subordination to political aims and rational calculation.
Both reject the notion of war as a purely military endeavor, placing it firmly within
the political context.
However, significant differences emerge in their approaches. Sun Tzu prioritizes
deception, speed, and economy of force, advocating for indirect strategies
focused on disrupting the enemy's will and avoiding costly direct engagements.
His Art of War is filled with maxims emphasizing intelligence, maneuver, and
psychological warfare. Clausewitz, writing in the context of 19th-century

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European warfare, focuses more on the decisive battle, the role of friction, and
the emotional and unpredictable nature of war ("fog and friction"). He
emphasizes the importance of willpower and the culmination point of victory,
analyzing war’s inherent uncertainty and its escalation potential. Sun Tzu is more
prescriptive and seemingly optimistic about achieving swift victory, while
Clausewitz is more descriptive and emphasizes the messy, complex, and often
tragic nature of war.
In contemporary strategic challenges, Clausewitz arguably remains more relevant.
While Sun Tzu's principles of deception and indirect approach are still valuable,
Clausewitz's emphasis on the political nature of war, the role of chance and
uncertainty, and the inherent escalation risks resonate deeply in today's complex
geopolitical landscape. Modern conflicts are rarely clean or swift, often
characterized by ambiguity, asymmetric actors, and protracted engagements,
mirroring Clausewitz's nuanced portrayal of war far more than Sun Tzu’s idealized
vision of decisive, bloodless victory.

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 Marks distribution for War Studies Exam
Total Marks: 30
Total Time: 60 minutes
Section I: True/False (Correction if Incorrect) – 5 marks
 5 questions × 1 mark each
o 0.5 marks for correctly identifying if the statement is correct or
incorrect.
o 0.5 marks for providing a correct correction (if the statement is
incorrect).
 Recommended Time: 10 minutes
Section II: Multiple Choice – 10 marks
 5 questions × 2 marks each
 Recommended Time: 10 minutes
Section III: Essay Questions (Choose TWO out of THREE) – 15 marks (7.5 marks
each)
 Students must answer two essays from the given options.
 Each essay is worth 7.5 marks, broken down as follows:
o 3 marks for clarity, structure, and coherence.
o 3 marks for depth of analysis and accuracy.
o 1.5 marks for use of relevant examples or supporting arguments.
 Recommended Time: 40 minutes (20 minutes per essay).
Summary of Mark Distribution
Section Marks Time

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True/False (Correction if Incorrect) 5 10 min
Multiple Choice 10 10 min
Essay Questions (Choose 2 out of 3) 15 40 min

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