Sun Tzu Grades George Bush on the Iraqi War

One of my favorite books is Sun Tzu's The Art of War[1]. If you go to your local bookstore you will find it available in various translations with and without notes. It is probably the most read, well-known, classic military manual of all time. The wisdom found in the pages of this book can be applied far beyond the battlefield. It's not a bad marriage manual either. You have heard, I'm sure, about the ongoing war of the sexes?

The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.

As Sun Tzu continues in his book, he puts forth five critical categories of concern that must be understood and mastered in order to be successful in war. I am going to address only the first three in that the last two are much more subjective and better graded by people within the military. The first three are pretty obvious. Sun Tzu would probably judge George Bush this way in the first three areas:

For those unfamiliar with Sun Tzu, allow me to explain each category and comment on why I think Sun Tzu would have given these grades. Of course in actual war, the enemy's grade is equally relevant, but here we will just look at President Bush's. However, as you read through these you will probably see our enemy's great advantage in each category.

The definition of "Moral Law" is not as one might think. It doesn't directly have to do with morality in the sense of right and wrong but rather with unity of belief whatever that belief may be. In short it is having the population standing behind the leader. Sun Tzu says: The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

I don't think anyone will debate that Sun Tzu would quickly assign the F-grade to George Bush in the moral law category in regards to the Iraqi war. We know that at least half the country disagrees with George Bush on the war and would probably not follow him anywhere much less unto death. Even those who agree with him are for the most part not that passionate about it. This being true, according to Sun Tzu, the probability of his being successful in Iraq is near nil. The moral law is probably the most important of the five categories.

Sun Tzu's use of "Heaven" doesn't mean God's abode. He means the earthly elements that must be considered when waging war. He states that Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. The earth's elements definitely have a great impact on any war. You may remember that in the Revolutionary War, George Washington and his army was spared defeat by General Howe when a thick fog settled and provided the cover for a timely escape across the river to Manhattan. At another time, the Russian winter devastated Hitler's army. This was a pivotal mistake, maybe the worst mistake, in Hitler's war planning. He should have read Sun Tzu. He might have actually won the war.

In the Iraqi war we have to factor in that our soldiers come from a fairly temperate climate. Our troops are now waging war in a sun-baked oven like environment. Then there are the sand storms to consider. These earthly elements are exacting a huge toll in the overall effectiveness of our troops and equipment. Again, we have to believe that Sun Tzu would assign a grade of "F."

The next category is "Earth." Earth, according to Sun Tzu, comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. Waging a war thousands of miles away is itself most dangerous not to mention expensive. Supply lines are long thus increasing vulnerability of attack along those lines. In Iraqi, we are fighting on the enemy's home turf, which is certainly better than on ours but still offers many disadvantages. The terrain offers unlimited hiding places for the enemy and in the cities many vantage points for ambushes. The enemy knows his back yard better than we do. The danger level is about as high as it gets in Iraq. Sun Tzu would surely give another "F" to George Bush in this category.

Although not included in his initial five categories another very negative factor that is impacting our performance in Iraqi is the length of the war. A long protracted war is very detrimental to any army. Sun Tzu warns: When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, the men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength, and if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the state will not be equal to the strain…..In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.

In conclusion, we are going to lose, at least from Sun Tzu's perspective. I agree with him. If this is true, the next question is what do we as a nation do now? That will probably be decided, for all of us, soon after the next election when the next Congress is seated.

What we must do individually, is vote. It is vitally important that we do. I know that many are so angry with our current Congress they are planning to stay home. I certainly feel that way, but it just wouldn't be right. That strategy may make us feel good but results in a vote for the "bad guy" or "bad gal" whoever they may be. The vacuum will be filled by default.[2] Staying home is, in my opinion, also a failure to administer our Christian responsibilities as national stewards. Like it or not, God has given us responsibility for our nation. We must, as Christians, take it seriously. We have many enemies within the gates today, people who hate America. Some of these are already in power. Many more may gain office this November if you and I allow them access. Are we willing to just let this happen? I pray not.

I might add that we should look closely at the voting records of those who are running for office. Forget what they say about their "Christianity" or their "love for God." Their true beliefs, their true religion, will be reflected in their voting. Beliefs always ultimately result in corresponding action. Words are cheap and politicians count on us not to check them out. Few of us ever do.

If someone claims to be a Christian and votes to support abortion, homosexuality, giving more rights to animals than humans, stealing our private property through Eminent Domain, and protecting criminals and foreign enemies over law abiding citizens then something just doesn't add up. I don't care where they go to church or what Scripture they quote, don't give them your vote.[3] The Apostle John was clear when he said, "Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and in truth. "[4]

[1] I quote in this article from James Clavell's translation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Published by Dell Publishing, 1983. It is one of the more readable translations. Another excellent translation is by Lionel Giles on the Barnes & Noble label.

[2] We must not forget the famous, historically true statement of Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

[3] George Washington said, "The smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained."

[4] I John 3:18 NASB

[5] George Jean Nathan. American essayist, editor and critic "American Mercury"
(1882 - 1958)