Scorched Earth
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
A scorched-earth policy is a military strategy of destroying everything that allows an enemy military force to be able to fight a war, including the deprivation and destruction of water, food, humans, animals, plants and any kind of tools and infrastructure. Its use is possible by a retreating army to leave nothing of value worth taking, to weaken the attacking force, or by an advancing army to fight on its own terms.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
A scorched-earth policy is a military strategy of destroying everything that allows an enemy military force to be able to fight a war, including the deprivation and destruction of water, food, humans, animals, plants and any kind of tools and infrastructure.
Anchor fast decisions
In military/strategy, destroying all resources (supplies, facilities) that could be used by the enemy before retreating, to 'leave nothing for the enemy' and exhaust the opponent; in business, it refers to extreme defense where one would rather harm oneself than let the opponent benefit.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorched_earthverified
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