The Ancient Blueprint for Deception

Throughout history, Eastern combatants—to include those from Mongol-controlled Asia Minor—have depended much more upon battlefield ruses than their Western counterparts. To fully appreciate this obscure part of their heritage, one must examine a compilation of combat tricks dating back to 200 B. C.—The 36 Stratagems. All modern versions descend from a single tattered copy that was found in mainland China in 1941, Its fascinating contents did not become available to the general public until 1979 in Beijing.'

These 36 categories of deception are further separated into six sets of circumstances: (1) when in a superior position, (2) for confrontation, (3) for attack, (4) for confused cases, (5) for gaining ground, and (6) for desperate times. As the fifth set of circumstances is also a Maoist-guerrilla-warfare stage, they all may prove useful in understanding the latest installment of Eastern intrigue.

In both Iraq and Afghanistan, the U. S. military has easily occupied ground and killed enemy. Yet, Iraq is still convulsed with insurgency, and Afghanistan is close to becoming a narco-state. While painful to admit, America has been badly fooled again. Its strategic planners must now learn how Easterners win while appearing to lose. If they can’t or won’t, they face a century-long war with radical Islamic factions. This chapter will be dedicated to the ruses of a well-positioned foe.