War has always been an essential tool of statecraft and empire building — a necessary means to acquire natural and human resources and expand territory. As a result, humanity is extremely adept at making excuses for it, using simple and effective narratives as an incitement to take up arms and lay down lives. But what use are these old tricks in a progressively globalised world, in which trade, travel and technology connect us more than ever before? War, what is it good for?