his war of choice vs his choice of war

[GoodTaste]

President Biden
@POTUS
·
2h

United States government official
I’m on my way to Europe to rally the international community in support of Ukraine and ensure Putin pays a severe economic cost for his war of choice.

Are his war of choice and his choice of war exchangeable? what is the difference?

 

[jutfrank]

No, not at all. The difference is that his choice of war is completely wrong here. You're thinking of the pattern somebody's choice of something, which doesn't make sense in this context.

The writer means to say that Putin was completely aware of, and is fully responsible for, the current military action in the Ukraine.

 

[tedmc]

I think "choice of war" implies there are other choices of war to choose from.
"War of choice" is a war where one chooses to start and can avoid.

I am not a teacher nor a native speaker.

 

[probus]

I think "choice of war" implies there are other choices of war to choose from.

Possible but unlikely in this context. The alternative was not another, different war. It was peace.