A major power can afford a military debacle only when it looks like a political victory.

Summary

This quote suggests that a dominant nation can tolerate a military failure as long as it is perceived as a win on the political front. It implies that the consequences of a military defeat can be mitigated if the ruling power is able to effectively spin the situation and achieve desirable political outcomes. Essentially, as long as the power maintains its control and influence on political matters, its military failures may be diminished in importance or even overlooked altogether.

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