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MENTAL MODEL · M3168

Containment Strategy

Containment Strategy
BusinessHigh supportEconomics
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-31

CORE DEFINITION

The core strategy of the United States against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, using political, economic, and military means to prevent the further expansion of communism. George Kennan's 'Long Telegram' laid the theoretical foundation.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

A framework for adversarial strategy. It reveals that when facing a powerful opponent, containment is more sustainable than direct confrontation. Modern applications include technological competition (e.g., chip embargoes) and business competition (containing competitors' expansion).

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Anchor fast decisions

Proposed by George Kennan, it aims to exhaust the opponent's momentum by containing their expansion rather than engaging in a decisive battle.

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%B4%E5%A0%B5ZH · Explicit
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