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To: PsyOp
Using these principles, how would you analyze the Afghan campaign; Tora Bora, Anaconda and the current Operation Snipe?
18 posted on 05/04/2002 8:41:48 AM PDT by Kermit
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To: Kermit
Using these principles, how would you analyze the Afghan campaign.

I think you would find that we and the British are keeping most of these principles in mind with regard to these operations. Keep in mind though, that Musashi's principles are those of single combat for the most part. The Warrior as an individual with complete freedom of action.

In Afghanistan, it would be more appropriate to apply Clausewitz - War is nothing more than the continuation of politics by other means. Wherein politics decide strategy as much as military necessity. As distasteful as that fact often is, leading as it does to doing, or not doing, things that pure military strategy would dictate, politics and war are often insepparable.

Philosphies of military strategy can be roughly divided into two categories. The first would be those that apply to single combat or small unit actions, like Musashi. The second are those that apply to the conduct of wars in the larger sense, like Clausewitz. A big mistake I see made rather frequently is when someone criticizes our military strategy with valid, but mis-applied quotes and maxims, as if all could be applied universally in all cases.

27 posted on 05/04/2002 12:25:11 PM PDT by PsyOp
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