Inter-state war is by far the least common type of warfare in the modern era, although the proxy wars growing out of the Cold War muddy the waters some. Civil and ethnic warfare is much more common, and I don’t think we can say that civil conflicts, at least, can always be described in terms of straightforward aggression and defense against aggression.
(Truthfully I wouldn’t say that for inter-state wars either, not all of them, but they’re a lot easier to spin that way.)
People go to war because of war, because they have been attacked. That would get wished away as part of the deal.
Or they go to war less honorable reasons like grabbing resources, or making forcible converts to a religion.
Can’t see anything I’d want to keep.
Or because they are being mistreated by others in ways that don’t qualify as war.
Inter-state war is by far the least common type of warfare in the modern era, although the proxy wars growing out of the Cold War muddy the waters some. Civil and ethnic warfare is much more common, and I don’t think we can say that civil conflicts, at least, can always be described in terms of straightforward aggression and defense against aggression.
(Truthfully I wouldn’t say that for inter-state wars either, not all of them, but they’re a lot easier to spin that way.)