Quote Originally Posted by William F. Owen View Post
Moa (Tse-tung) formed highly codified and organised units, with strict operational regulations. He was also an adherent of Clausewitz, and saw conventional operations as the only way to achieve decisive political effect. "Guerilla warfare" was merely a precursor to conventional and decisive operations. Is this the Taliban's plan?

Their means (weapon) is political or their aim is political. Point being, if they are achieving their aim throught non-violent means (politics), why are they expending huge amounts of resources using violent means?
1-Yes he did and each unit had a political commander as well as a military commander. Like the Taliban and the connection to their madrassas a religious/political organization with military capabilities. As TX Hammes has pointed out Guerrilla Warfare is evolving, they don't need a conventional Army to achieve their goals.

2-surprised you ask that, as you have said many times war is politics carried on with different means. Or as Mao said political power comes from the barrel of a gun.