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

1. Identify the strategic center - Target the geographic "hub" that controls access to other regions
2. Befriend distant powers - Establish diplomatic relations with states too far to directly threaten
3. Isolate the target - Ensure nearby targets cannot receive external support
4. Conquer incrementally - Take nearby territories piece by piece
5. Consolidate before expanding - Integrate each conquest before moving to the next
6. 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

1. Confirm that diplomatic relations with distant powers are established before initiating action against nearby targets.
2. Validate that each conquered territory is consolidated and integrated before advancing to the next.
3. Ensure that no nearby target can receive external support from distant allies who should have been neutralized diplomatically.