Sun Tzu

(4th Century B.C.)

Dimension of Modern Strategy Lecture 5 Syed Muhammad Ali Department of International Relations NDU 2011

The Art of War Significance

The Art of War is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

Tzu - The Art of War

Sun

Sun Tzu : The Person

General, Strategist & Philosopher Controversy about origin Relevance during the Warring States period (475 B.C-221 B.C.) Sun Tzus appointment

The Art of War

Presents a Philosophy of War Controversy regarding subsequent contributions East Asian Context Essential Course book in Chinese military since 1st century AD Taoist influence Introduces spiritual dimension Translated by French Jesuit Joseph Amyot (1772) Revived by Mao Zedong

The Art of War: Popularity

Military Theorists Diplomacy Business management Public Administration HR Management USMC Commandant Reading List/PRP Recommended reading for all US Intel Personnel

Influence
Unification of Japan Napoleon (European Wars) Admiral Togo (RussoJapanese wars) Mao Zedongs guerrilla warfare (Kuomintang, Kai-shek, 1949) Gen Giap, Vietnam War Gen Schwarzkopf & Gen Colin Powell (Gulf War I)

Introduction
Identifies principles for the intelligence pursuit of a victorious war based on: Indirect Strategy Economy of Means Stratagems Knowledge of the adversary Psychological Action

Key Assumptions
Sun Tzu considers tactics and actual use of force only for delivering the final blow to a totally disoriented, unprepared or unsuspecting enemy. Relationship between War objectives, Strategy and Tactics Context is Limited War only Within a single Society Set in Pre-Great Wall Era

War
The Art of Identifying the Constants
The Moral Law Heaven Earth The Commander Method & Discipline

1. Moral Law
The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

2. Heaven
Represents weather conditions, such as night, day, light, darkness, cold, heat, times and seasons.

3.Earth
Terrain - Distances, great and small, danger and security, type of ground, narrow passes, including risks to travel and logistics.

4.The Commander
Leadership qualities such as wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness

5. Method and Discipline

Management of Resources - Marshalling of the forces in proper subdivisions, grades, ranks, logistics, budgetary control etc.

Comparing the Antagonists

1. Which of the 2 sovereigns has the advantage of Moral Law? 2. Which of the 2 Generals is more capable? 3. Who has the advantage of Heaven & Earth? 4. Which force has better enforcement of discipline? 5. Which army is stronger? 6. Which side has better trained officers & men? 7. In which force the system of rewards & punishments is more consistent?

Deception
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Bait your enemy, create disorder and crush him

Deception
If he is secure, be prepared for him If he is superior in strength, avoid him If he is hot tempered, irritate him Pretend to be weak, so that he becomes arrogant. If he is at ease, tire him If his forces are united, disrupt and disunite him Attack him when he unprepared Attack from where you are not expected Calculate

Waging War
Operational Cost vs Total Cost Protracted Campaign Time is the most expensive commodity in warfare (e.g; delay, haste, long campaigns etc.) Expects a clear relationship with the objectives of a Limited War

Economy
Poverty of the state causes an army to be maintained by distant contributions, which impoverishes the nation.

Effective Resource Management

Use of hatred to motivate your soldiers Living off the land Economy of Looting Kind treatment of captured soldiers

Economy of Effort, Time & Resources

In War, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

Military Leadership & fate of Nations

The leader of armies is the arbiter of the peoples fate, the man on whom depends whether the nation shall be in peace or peril.

Types of Wars
War of Occupation is better than destruction Best victory is winning without fighting

Ranking Generals..
A. The highest quality of a general is to frustrate enemy plans without fighting, B.To prevent the unity of enemy forces and capabilities, C. To attack the enemy in the field, D. The worst policy is to lay a siege.

The Skillful leader subdues his enemys troops without fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy field operations.

5 Essentials of Victory
1. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight 2.He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces 3. He will win who army has the same spirit throughout all ranks 4. He will win who is himself prepared but waits to take the enemy unprepared 5. He will win who has military capacity and whose sovereign does not interfere.

Intelligence is Everything
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will lose in every battle.

Tactical Disposition
To secure yourself against defeat lies in your own hands, but the opportunity to defeat is provided by the enemy himself. The skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy

War is about efficiency not glory

A clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage. He wins battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Energy & Disposition

C3 Indirect Tactics are like four seasons Combining Direct & Indirect methods of attacks (e.g; circle) Energy & Decision: Crossbow & Arrow Deceitful Appearances to mask both will and capabilities and drain the will, capabilities and energy of enemy Invisible and inaudible Use of momentum at the right place and right time

Weak and Strong points

Initiative Pro-active rather than reactive Visible tactics but invisible strategy Dont repeat your tactics Water Approach (strong to low) Tactics (localized) Conditions (dynamic).

Maneuvering
The most difficult part of warfare Dilemmas: Preparedness vs initiative Mobility vs security Speed vs endurance Sufficiency vs logistical vulnerabilities Realization of logistical limitations (e.g; US Afghan campaign) Logistics A decisive factor in warfare

Maneuver: Optimizing Flexibility

The Art of balancing speed with compactness, effectiveness and security

Wind, forest, fire, mountain Night and Thunderbolt Steel and Silk Gongs & Drums Banners and Flags Fires and Drums Time of Day Conservation of energy, ration and morale Give enemy room to flee

Observe
Both your enemy & your own troops

Monitor the behaviour of enemy and your own men

Use of Spies
Spies are the most important element of War and armys ability to move depends on them.

Types of Spies:
Local Spies Local civilians Inward Spies Local Officials Converted Spies Double Agents Doomed Spies Psy Ops Surviving Spies Roaming Agents

Generous Reward and Punishment for spies

Thank You