Sun Tzu’s Art of War and The Global War on Terror Essay

Art of War is one military tactical text that has survived for centuries. The author of the text, Sun Tzu left the world with knowledge to carry on for generations. Art of War is a compilation of Tzu’s military strategies, various principles passed down his ancestral clan, and Taoism for the world to study and understand (Galvin and Giles). The military strategist specializes in the manners in which a â€Å"small force can overcome a powerful enemy† (Galvin and Giles 15). These tactics have been demonstrated throughout history by various â€Å"underdogs;† during the Revolutionary War, WWI, and even today in the Global War on Terror (Galvin and Giles 21). This is why Tzu remains an important piece of literature for all to read. Tzu’s principles on†¦show more content†¦Sun Wu’s father; Chen Shu, was the last of Chen Wuyu’s sons, revered for his military prowess (Huang 17). Unfortunately, the greed of power consumed Chen Shu’s se cond brother; Chen Qi, and threatened the lives’ of the Chen; power became more important to Chen Qi than family (Huang 17). This led Chen Shu to send Sun Wu to the state of Wu for safe keeping (Huang 17). By this time, Sun Wu had reached adulthood and was knowledgeable in military studies (Huang 17). Upon his arrival to the state of Wu, Sun Wu met with the King of Wu to who looked favorably upon his â€Å"theories on military affairs† (Huang 18). After this meeting, Sun Tzu commanded troop discipline as well as assisted General Wu Zixu in devising a strategy of expansion for the King. Their strategy weakened and eventually led to the invasion of the state of Chu (Huang 18). After the death of King Helu, the new King did not hold the same respect for the tactics and knowledge of General Wu (Huang 15). This led to a great conflict and eventually led to General Wu committing suicide and Sun Wu’s father’s death. After Sun Tzu learned of this, he entered a li fe of seclusion until his death. While his life was relatively restless, Sun Tzu left his book for the world to study and implement (Huang 15). The beginnings of Sun Wu’s military training began with his clan; knowledgeable in the art of war, however; historians remain at odds as to how heShow MoreRelatedSun Tzu On Nature And Character Of 21st Century Warfare2528 Words   |  11 PagesSun Tzu on the Nature and Character of 21st Century Warfare Sun Tzu understood the nature of war as â€Å"the province of life or death,† and a â€Å"matter of vital importance to the state.†1 I agree. In my own experience, war awakens your primordial instincts and strips you of your self-rationalizations. Sun Tzu defined the character of war when he wrote, â€Å"water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.†2 Accordingly, Sun Tzu’s principals of war offer a framework adequate to explainRead MoreThe Character Of 21st Century Warfare2508 Words   |  11 Pagescharacter is highly adaptive.1 Sun Tzu claimed â€Å"all warfare is based on deception.†2 Consequently, his principals of war offer a good framework to explain the character of 21st century warfare, which I rationalize as a near-continuous battle of ideologies fought through asymmetric means to advance the values and interests of state and non-state actors. I will first introduce contemporary evidence of 21st century warfare, and then select Sun Tzu’s principals of war – national unity, rational appraisalsRead MoreContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 PagesBromwich has made. He played an important role in the diffusion of modern practices of capital investment appraisal in the United Kingdom. He has been constantly open to the insights which advances in economic theory can provide into the accounting art, in many areas pushing at the frontiers of international knowledge in his own quiet way. In the area of costing, Michael has undoubtedly deepened our understandings of both conceptual and practical issues, in recent years providing a voice of reason