The stateless strategy stands as a noteworthy tactic in the annals of galactic history within the context of space warfare. When implemented effectively, this strategy enabled a weaker entity to triumph over a stronger opponent possessing superior military might.
The stateless strategy hinged on the principles of decentralization and the sheer immensity of space, providing a mechanism for a smaller combatant to overcome a larger one. A power centered around a defined homeworld and associated colonies was susceptible to reduction and defeat through the application of numerical superiority. Conversely, a decentralized power, lacking a clearly identifiable homeworld or territorial base, necessitated comprehensive subjugation across its entire sphere of influence before it could be considered defeated. The vastness of space has historically rendered complete spatial control an unattainable objective, even for the most formidable militaries.
This inherent limitation conferred an advantage upon the decentralized belligerent. Given the inability of the larger opponent to effectively defend all points, the smaller power possessed the latitude to selectively engage in combat, striking at locations where the opponent's defenses were lacking. This situation compelled the larger power to choose between fortifying a limited number of key "fortress worlds", thereby granting the enemy operational freedom elsewhere, or dispersing their forces, risking the loss of a crucial planet through piecemeal defeat. Economic factors and public sentiment often pressured states into adopting the fortress world approach.
Throughout history, various iterations of the Sith Empires employed the stateless strategy in their conflicts against the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems also utilized this strategy. However, due to its possession of territory, the CIS was itself vulnerable to the stateless strategy. By 19 BBY, the CIS had been forced into a defensive posture during the Outer Rim Sieges, as the Republic's superior industrial capacity produced sufficient warships to defend its own territories while simultaneously launching offensive operations.
The Alliance to Restore the Republic leveraged the stateless strategy during the Galactic Civil War. The Galactic Empire's response manifested as a policy of reprisal, a system of state-sponsored terror formalized in the Tarkin Doctrine. However, the policy of employing overwhelming force to deny the Rebels safe havens served more to incite resistance than to suppress it. The construction of the Death Star was conceived as a means of reversing this trend by introducing the prospect of a reprisal so devastating—namely, the destruction of entire planets—that no world would dare to support the Rebellion. Following the Battle of Endor, the Empire reverted to the "fortress world" strategy, effectively ceding control of much of the galaxy to the Rebellion and ultimately sealing its fate as a galactic power.
Grand Admiral Thrawn's final campaign against the New Republic in 9 ABY is regarded as a quintessential illustration of the stateless strategy. Through a series of high-profile raids against poorly defended targets, Thrawn instilled panic among the New Republic's citizenry and projected an image of weakness due to its inability to defend all its territories. Thrawn executed a series of feints targeting Ando, Filve and Crondre, which compelled the New Republic fleet stationed at Ord Pardron to engage. Thrawn then destroyed the undefended military base at Ord Pardron, which in turn enabled him to capture Ukio. This campaign fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of the Galactic Civil War, forcing the New Republic to adopt the fortress world strategy, deploying rapid reaction fleets to defend Coruscant, Bothawui, Kashyyyk and Mon Calamari, until it was abruptly terminated by Thrawn's assassination at the Battle of Bilbringi.