Having the right information at the right moment allows the leader to take the initiative and to make a move allowing him to gain the advantage in speed and alignment of forces. In current information age it can be quite challenging and time consuming to get accurate, relevant information, process it, interpret it and apply in the planned way. “What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed; one cannot afford to neglect opportunity.” (Chapter 1. PP. 69-70. 26.) Delay in making the right timely move or a mistake during the implementation can represent a missed window of opportunity, can weaken state’s position at the political arena, or in a worst-case scenario can push state to engage in an unwanted war or get trapped in it for years.
However, to be able to attack the mind of enemy knowing him, i.e. having information about his actions is not enough; the general should be able to understand the enemy’s complicated strategy and adjust his own actions and counter measures.
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2. To insure the victory over already defeated enemy the acute minded leader has to win the war psychologically. He has to create appropriate conditions to conquer the mind of the enemy, condemning him to a defeat. One of the fundamental tools of psychological war is deception. Sun Tzu said: “All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are near. Offer the enemy a bait to lure him; feign disorder and strike him.” (Chapter 1, P.66, 17-20.) A skilled general must be master of the complimentary arts of simulation and dissimulation; while creating shapes to confuse and delude the enemy he outwits the enemy by concealing his true dispositions and ultimate intent. He manipulates the enemy to his advantage, but does not allow the enemy to manipulate him. (Introduction, P.41,
The basic question, without reference to the here and now, has been asked throughout the ages. As Elliot Cohen observes in his book, Supreme Command , it goes as far back as 168bc when speaker Consul Lucius Aemilius addressed his audience on the resumption of war with Macedonia: “I am not, fellow-citizens, one who believes that no advice may be given to leaders... Generals should receive advice, in the first place from the experts who are both specially skilled in military matters and have learned from experience; secondly, from those who are on the scene of action, who see the terrain, the enemy...”. In order to answer this question the author will look at three factors before drawing a conclusion. The first will be to look at the theory of civil-military relations, highlighting some examples from recent history of how those theories have been put into practice. The second will be to look at how the character of conflict has evolved, the definition of modern British conflict and the difference between hard and soft power. The third factor will be to consider the effects of globalisation, mass media and the weight of public opinion on the decisions made about future conflicts by our politicians and military leaders.
In the books All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and The Wars by Timothy Findley, there is clear evidence of the nature of war. With all the efforts of preparation, discipline, and anticipation, false hopes were created for the young individuals, who leave the battlefields with numerous emotional and physical scars. The propaganda and disciplinary training to convince naïve young men to go to battle to fight for their country, the death of their comrades, and the physical breakdown are all part of twentieth century warfare.
Tzu, Mo. Against Offensive Warfare. Ed. Michael Austin. Reading the World: Ideas that Matter. 2nd ed. New York: Norton, 2010. 254-255. Print.
They must observe the political plans of the various states through the styles by which they execute these plans and the political manoeuvres they undertake, in order to adopt the practical style to establish their state and carry their Da'wah to the world. Therefore, it is imperative for them to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the international situation and the details related to the international situation, and recognise the stance of the states of the world which have a telling effect in the general international situation. If we were to review the international situation in the wake of the First World War, we would deduce that... ... middle of paper ... ... n if this led to occupation by force.
The Art of War is a treatise written in Ancient China that discusses the most and least effective military strategies for successful warfare according to Sun Tzu, a military general whose existence is still debated to this day. While not every military commander in the history of warfare has read it, the strategies provided can be used as a way to assess said commanders and the effectiveness of their campaigns. In Sun Tzu 's own words, “The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed!”1 This paper will discuss various iconic battles throughout history and how closely the leading commanders of each army followed the advice of Sun Tzu. Despite the fact that Sun Tzu lived hundreds of years before many of these battles took place, the
...e a better place if everyone would stop and think before making a decision base on their theories and image. Misperception may be coincidental to-rather than determinative of-the occurrence of war, because war can be an equilibrium outcome that results from specific configurations of actor preferences. Even if misperception does sometimes play a causal role in the outbreak of war, its impact is situational circumscribed.
Cantrell, Robert L., and Lionel Giles. Understanding Sun Tzu on the art of war the oldest military treatise in the world. Arlington, VA: Center For Advantage, 2003. Print.
"The Internet Classics Archive | The Art of War by Sun Tzu." The Internet Classics Archive | The Art of War by Sun Tzu. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2014. .
Current military leadership should comprehend the nature of war in which they are engaged within a given political frame in order to develop plans that are coherent with the desired political end state. According to Clausewitz, war is an act of politics that forces an enemy to comply with certain conditions or to destroy him through the use of violence. A nation determines its vital interests, which drives national strategy to obtain or protect those interests. A country achieves those goals though the execution of one of the four elements of power, which are diplomatic, informational, military and economical means. The use of military force...
The translation of the “Sun Tzu: The Art of War” ancient Chinese text has been given by many different writers. Samuel B. Griffith, Brigadier General, retired, U.S. Marine Corps; is a proven strategist that studied the English commandoes war fighting skills as a Captain. As a Major, Griffith was hand picked to serve as Executive Officer under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Merritt Edson of the 1st Raider Battalion, one of the battalions that perfected the amphibious landings during World War II. Samuel B. Griffith gives his in-depth study on “Sun Tzu: The Art of War” and how Mao Tse-tung used the strategies and teachings of Sun Tzu while commanding the Red Army of China. Griffith’s translation of Sun Tzu’s work is written in three parts: Introduction, Translation, and Appendix.
Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. Trans. Thomas F. Cleary. Boston, MA: Shambhala, 2005. Print.
Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general but most importantly a philosopher that lived in the 6th century BC. He is the author of The Art of War, a book about military strategy. The Art of war contains thirteen chapters all delivering keys to military strategy for success. It is a famous work of art that is used nowadays in many fields including business, sport and diplomacy. Business leaders develop strategies inspired form Sun Tzu ideas to reach their goals.
There are many different things I think of when I think of what leadership means to me. My idea of leadership is to be able to inspire others, get them excited to do something, motivate them and set an example to others. I also think that showing respect to others is a key part of leadership. You don’t just need leadership qualities, but you need to be a successful leader. To me being a successful leader is being able to have people follow you and not disrespect you. If you are a great leader your followers start to respect you more. To be a leader you also need to have certain qualities like being sociable, intelligent, have patience to deal with situations. A leader needs to be motivated or they will be a failure. I think I show leader ship all the time inside and outside of school. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way (John C. Maxwell).
The Art of War is one of the most influential pieces of literature in history. It dates back to 5th century, BC. It was written by a chinese general Sun Tzu or »Master Sun«. It hasn 't been translated into another language until 1772, when France wanted to know what was the fuss about.
Theme is a literary element used in literature and has inspired many poets, playwrights, and authors. The themes of love and war are featured in literature, and inspire authors to write wartime romances that highlight these two themes. Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms deals with the collective themes in the human experience such as love and the reality of war. A Farewell to Arms is narrated from the perspective of Fredric Henry, an ambulance driver in the Italian army, and pertains to his experiences in the war. The novel also highlights the passionate relationship between Henry and Catherine Barkley, a British nurse in Italy. Henry’s insight into the war and his intense love for Catherine emphasize that love and war are the predominant themes in the novel and these themes contribute to bringing out the implicit and explicit meaning of the novel. Being a part of the Italian army, Henry is closely involved with the war and has developed an aversion to the war. Henry’s association with the war has also made him realise that war is inglorious and the sacrifices made in war are meaningless. Specifically, Henry wants the war to end because he is disillusioned by the war and knows that war is not as glorious as it is made up to be. The state of affairs and the grim reality of the war lead Henry towards an ardent desire for a peaceful life, and as a result Henry repudiates his fellow soldiers at the warfront. Henry’s desertion of the war is also related to his passionate love for Catherine. Henry’s love for Catherine is progressive and ironic. This love develops gradually in “stages”: Henry’s attempt at pretending love for Catherine towards the beginning of the novel, his gradually developing love for her, and finally, Henry’s impas...