What fundamental effect does sowing discord among opponents have on their collective strength?

Sowing discord among opponents refers to the deliberate act of introducing division, mistrust, and conflict within a group of entities that collectively pose a challenge or threat. This strategic action aims to fracture their internal cohesion. Collective strength represents the unified power, resilience, and operational capacity of a group, which emerges from its members' ability to cooperate, communicate, and coordinate effectively towards shared objectives. It is greater than the sum of individual strengths because it relies on synergy, mutual support, and a common purpose. The fundamental effect of sowing discord among opponents is the systematic erosion and fragmentation of their collective strength. This process dismantles the internal mechanisms that enable the group to function as a coherent and effective unit. Specifically, discord diminishes collective strength through several interconnected pathways. First, it directly *erodes trustbetween....