Attack by Strategem

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the priorities an army should follow when at war. He ways you should first attack the enemy's plans, then their alliances, then their armies, then their cities. These priorities are still used to some extent today. Attacking an enemy's plans requires good reconnaissance and knowledge of your enemy, but if you have that, you can defeat him without ever firing a shot. Turning an enemy against his beliefs can have the same effect. This is especially important if your enemy has an advantage of any kind (numbers, terrain knowledge, etc.).

The most widely known phrase from The Art of War is in this chapter. It reads: "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 succumb in every battle." Perhaps the single biggest effort we are making in the Middle East is to connect with the locals. This allows us to get to know their culture and customs. By knowing and talking to the locals, we gain a better understanding of the enemy. By knowing our enemy, we are able to more effectively defeat him.