Ukraine And Game Theory

Charlottesville

March 25, 2022

I watched a documentary on the Vietnam War yesterday and was reminded of a key tenant of game theory. The North Vietnamese spoke of how their death count did not matter to them because they were going to fight until there were no more North Vietnamese standing in order to make the US leave. It was much more than a win or lose situation to them.

Similarly, Russia seems to want to win the invasion of Ukraine. Game theory would indicate it will never win because the Ukrainians, like the North Vietnamese, have a much longer term perspective and can withstand more than the Russians can.

I hope that is the case.