The author believes that elements of bargaining theory and negotiation techniques typically used in economic and business are powerful tools in building strategies that will guide the use of force through the ebbs and flows of persistent conflict. His paper demonstrates that the theories and techniques of bargaining are not new to war, rather they are found throughout classic war theory in the writings of Sun Tzu, Thucydides, and Carl Von Clausewitz. He notes that in response to the increasing prevalence and potential of global instability caused by non-state armed groups, many scholars have turned away from these theorists and searched elsewhere for guidance on building strategies to counter armed groups.