How does Sun Tzu's "Art of War" apply to the current situation?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:37:12 -0400

Do you believe that that the Art of War may have predicted the current situation?
How were the tactics applied against us and by us?
How are our enemies using the principles of the Art of War currently?

https://www.sonshi.com/the-art-of-war-translation.html

Original The Art of War translation (not Giles)

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Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 11:06 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:06:55 -0400

Our enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere are following many of the principles in the Art of War. Some examples:

[01.15] If your enemies have advantage, bait them; if they are confused, capture them; if they are numerous, prepare for them; if they are strong, avoid them; if they are angry, disturb them; if they are humble, make them haughty; if they are relaxed, toil them; if they are united, separate them.

[01.16] Attack where your enemies are not prepared; go to where they do not expect.

[03.11] Generally in warfare: If ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, divide them; if equal, be able to fight them; if fewer, be able to evade them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.

They also follow a Maoist approach of "When strong: attack, when weak: retreat."

I don't think the Art of War is predictive (nor is Clausewitz, for that matter) - if we had paid attention to the fact that AQ was planning to use strategies related to the Art of War we could have been better prepared. We did know from captured AQ plans that they hoped to draw us into battle in Iraq and/or other areas in the Muslim world. I don't see how we could have avoided moving into Afghanistan but Iraq could have been avoided, IMO.