For those of you who might be struggling with
the Inherent Complexities associated with the Concept of Irregular Warfare - Much of our Concepts of Employment for
Modern Day Irregular Warfare Approaches, Methods and Plans are largely based upon the
foundations of Sun Tzu and his philosophies on "The Art of War"
Where
Irregular warfare (IW) is defined in United States joint doctrine as
"a struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations."
Where a 'Whole of Goverment' approach is utilized to leverage all the instruments of power of a (nation) state [Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic DIME)] to influence the adversary's PMESII state (Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure) .
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“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.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
―
Sun Tzu
“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
―
Sun tzu, The Art of War
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
1 He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
2 He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
3 He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
4 He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
5 He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”
―
Sun-Tzu, A Arte da Guerra
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
―
Sun Tzu
“To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.”
―
Sun Tzu
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.”
―
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”
―
sun tzu, The Art of War
“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”
―
Sun Tzu