Sun Tzu lived nearly 2500 years back, yet his theory of war is as potent today as it was during the earlier age.
This points to the fact that the principles of war are universal and stand the test of time.
In addition warfare is an art that needs to be studied.
Sun Tzu's genius lies in the fact that in that bygone age he could lay down principles of war that are as relevant today as they were during his era.
He also needs to be credited as the man who made the first references to guerrilla war.
In discussing this aspect Sun Tzu says that highest excellence lies in subduing the enemy without battle.
He disapproves of attacks on walled cities.
Above all according to him, the most skill full mode of war is to subdue the forces of your opponent without a pitched battle.
This is in a sense the essence of guerrilla tactics as later developed by Mao and later refined by Ho Chi Minh, General Gap and Che.
In this he differs from Clausewitz, who felt that the most important thing in war will always be to defeat the opponents in combat.
Though Clausewitz theory is valid to an extent as seen from the battles of Napoleon, yet the fact remains that Clausewitz and other Western theorists never thought of any hit and run war.
In the modern context the Islamic jihadists have unwittingly taken a leaf out of Sun Tzu's theory and mounted a guerrilla operation against the western powers and their allies.
Sun Tzu also insists that in a large campaign numbers will eventually triumph for however furiously a small force fights the larger one is bound to take it.
The second phase of operation 'Barbarossa' i.
e.
, the invasion of Russia by the German Army got bogged down and resulted in a retreat because of massive numbers thrown in by the Russians.
No amount of brilliance and fighting qualities could stem this tide.
Motivation of the German soldier was high, but the tide of the Red Army could not be stopped.
The US commanders operating in Afghanistan need to be made aware of this principle.
Sun Tzu has also discussed the general principles of tactics and campaigning itself.
Among tactics he talks of enemy movements, intentions and studying of enemy line of battle.
It is worthwhile to know that Sun Tzu says on the concept of battle 'Just as water has no constant shape, so war has no constant condition'.
This is in essence the basic principle of war.
It is important to remember that though technological developments have definitely increased the reach and scope of war, yet the basic concepts of warfare as laid down by the master cannot be ignored.
Herein lay the mastery of Sun Tzu.
This points to the fact that the principles of war are universal and stand the test of time.
In addition warfare is an art that needs to be studied.
Sun Tzu's genius lies in the fact that in that bygone age he could lay down principles of war that are as relevant today as they were during his era.
He also needs to be credited as the man who made the first references to guerrilla war.
In discussing this aspect Sun Tzu says that highest excellence lies in subduing the enemy without battle.
He disapproves of attacks on walled cities.
Above all according to him, the most skill full mode of war is to subdue the forces of your opponent without a pitched battle.
This is in a sense the essence of guerrilla tactics as later developed by Mao and later refined by Ho Chi Minh, General Gap and Che.
In this he differs from Clausewitz, who felt that the most important thing in war will always be to defeat the opponents in combat.
Though Clausewitz theory is valid to an extent as seen from the battles of Napoleon, yet the fact remains that Clausewitz and other Western theorists never thought of any hit and run war.
In the modern context the Islamic jihadists have unwittingly taken a leaf out of Sun Tzu's theory and mounted a guerrilla operation against the western powers and their allies.
Sun Tzu also insists that in a large campaign numbers will eventually triumph for however furiously a small force fights the larger one is bound to take it.
The second phase of operation 'Barbarossa' i.
e.
, the invasion of Russia by the German Army got bogged down and resulted in a retreat because of massive numbers thrown in by the Russians.
No amount of brilliance and fighting qualities could stem this tide.
Motivation of the German soldier was high, but the tide of the Red Army could not be stopped.
The US commanders operating in Afghanistan need to be made aware of this principle.
Sun Tzu has also discussed the general principles of tactics and campaigning itself.
Among tactics he talks of enemy movements, intentions and studying of enemy line of battle.
It is worthwhile to know that Sun Tzu says on the concept of battle 'Just as water has no constant shape, so war has no constant condition'.
This is in essence the basic principle of war.
It is important to remember that though technological developments have definitely increased the reach and scope of war, yet the basic concepts of warfare as laid down by the master cannot be ignored.
Herein lay the mastery of Sun Tzu.
SHARE
