In war, the primary object is to do what?

In the context of warfare, the primary objective is to impose our will upon the enemy. This concept reflects the overarching goal of military engagement, which is to achieve dominance over an adversary to secure victory and advance strategic goals. Imposing will refers to the ability to convince the enemy, through force or the threat of force, to comply with one's demands, thus rendering the enemy unable to continue their operations effectively. This is central to military strategy and objectives, as achieving a favorable outcome often requires the ability to disrupt the enemy’s decision-making and operational capabilities.

While defending territories, establishing peace treaties, and protecting civilians are important aspects of military operations, they often fall within the broader strategy of imposing will. For instance, you may need to defend strategic locations to maintain your operational position or protect civilians to garner support and legitimacy for military actions, but these actions are primarily conducted to further the overarching goal of neutralizing the enemy's ability to resist.