The Illogic of American Military Strategy in Iraq

[BRUZ_LEE]

THE CHINESE DRAGON LAUGHS

Grand Strategy matters. The Chinese develop their economic power (just buy something here in CONUS and read where it was made...) and refrain from these types of military engagements we love to take on hot-blooded and hastily again and again.
As I wrote in an earlier post here, the Soviet fate in Afghanistan should be studied in respect to Grand Strategy (and not only on a Lester/Grau tactical level as it has been done excellently), because our strategic dilemma in IRAQ (Stay there-very bad; Leave-even worse) seems to be very similar to the "Bear Trap". The current ongoing Stay/Withdraw-discussions are proof of that dilemma.
Now it seems the Eagle is trapped while the Dragon rises slowly and laughs.

I am surprised that the most frequent military book in all bookstores here in the US is Sun Tsu's "Art of Warfare", as obviously nobody reads that. Maybe people buy it just for their bookshelf because Michael Douglas mentioned the book once in "Wall Street"?
At least the Chinese read and follow their doctrine: winning without fighting.
They are smart, we are cavemen.

BRUZ

[wm]

THE CHINESE DRAGON LAUGHS

Grand Strategy matters. The Chinese develop their economic power (just buy something here in CONUS and read where it was made...) and refrain from these types of military engagements we love to take on hot-blooded and hastily again and again. [SNIP]. . .


I am surprised that the most frequent military book in all bookstores here in the US is Sun Tsu's "Art of Warfare", as obviously nobody reads that. [SNIP]
. . .
At least the Chinese read and follow their doctrine: winning without fighting.

Very interesting Chinese writing from the Warring States period is attributed to Mo Tzu. He has sometimes been described as the original Utilitarian. He was also much in demand as an expert on fortifications and defensive war. He has an extended argument against the use of offensive war. Ostensibly his work was much studied by the early Chinese Communists. One wonders how true that is and what is his current status with regard to Chinese policy makers and planners.

If, as BL suggests, the Chinese read and heed their own ancient authorities, then a close reading of the Mo Tzu is definitely in order for Western strategic planners.

The following are sources for his writing: Mei, Y. P.. 1929 The Ethical and Political Works of Mo-tse (London: Arthur Probsthain). Columbia U Press also has a stand alone translation of the Mo Tzu by Burton Watson as well as a compilation of the Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu.