Fabian Strategy
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
The Fabian strategy is a military strategy where pitched battles and frontal assaults are avoided in favor of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition and misdirection. While avoiding decisive battles, the side employing this strategy harasses its enemy through skirmishes to cause attrition, disrupt supply and affect morale. Employment of this strategy implies that the side adopting this approach avoids direct confrontation and seeks to exhaust the enemy over time.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
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The Fabian strategy is a military strategy where pitched battles and frontal assaults are avoided in favor of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition and misdirection. While avoiding decisive battles, the side employing this strategy harasses its enemy through skirmishes to cause attrition, disrupt supply and affect morale. Employment of this strategy implies that the side adopting this approach avoids direct confrontation and seeks to exhaust the enemy over time.
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The Fabian strategy originates from the delaying tactics of the ancient Roman general Fabius Maximus against Hannibal: avoiding decisive battles, weakening the strong enemy through harassment and attrition, and buying time and initiative. It is a strategy of attrition and patience under asymmetric power.
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabian_strategyverified
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