Sun Tzu
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The Depths of Bush’s Failure
A notable day in Bush failure. First, we read that the main organization of al Qaeda, not the invocation of it in Iraq but the networked organization with nodes in Pakistan and Afghanistan and elsewhere, has reconstituted itself… Continue reading
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Sun Tzu on the “Surge”
Remember the "surge"? The increase in American troop levels in Iraq that was meant to improve the security situation and allow for political consolidation? Well, it seems not to be working: More than three months into a U.S.-Iraqi… Continue reading
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Sun Tzu Goes to Congress
Just heard a clip on the radio in which Secretary of Defense Gates, in his testimony before Congress today, quoted Sun Tzu. Gates was urging legislators to fund the war for a full fiscal year and not break… Continue reading
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Bad Shape
One thing Sun Tzu talks about is "shaping" the enemy and keeping your own force "formless" (I’m at home just now and don’t have my text handy for specific citations). These ideas came to mind when I read… Continue reading
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North Korea Nuke Deal
Perhaps some good news on the diplomatic front with today’s announcement of an agreement on North Korea’s nuclear program. I have argued in the past that something like this – essentially buying off NK’s threat – was the… Continue reading
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Why The Bears Lost
OK, so my prediction, based on a Sun Tzu-inspired analysis, of a Bears victory in the Super Bowl failed. Does this mean Sun Tzu is somehow flawed in his strategic outlook? I think the answer is clear: No. … Continue reading
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Sun Tzu and the Super Bowl
The final American football championship, the Super Bowl, will be played on Sunday. I have been contemplating the contest, between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears (as did several of the young men in my recent Winter… Continue reading
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Yankees in China
Here’s a story that captures a couple of my interests simultaneously, the New York Yankees and China: The Yankees consider themselves the most driven team in a competitive sport, so their push to boost baseball in China is… Continue reading
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Sun Tzu on Counterinsurgency
As I mentioned last week, I am teaching a Winter Study course on Sun Tzu. One of today’s readings, suggested by one of my students, is a great example of how ancient thought can still have something to… Continue reading
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“Hobbling the Army”
Bush’s impending senseless escalation of the Iraq war runs squarely against Sun Tzu’s thinking (I know, lots of Sun Tzu this week: it’s on my mind from my class…). It seems that high level military planners are doubtful… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 