“Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.”
- 544 BC-496 BC
- Born in China
- Military strategist, military strategist
- Wrote “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, establishing it as a classic of strategy and tactics
table of contents
Quote
“Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sun Tzu stresses the importance of targeting an opponent’s strategy rather than focusing solely on their forces or tactics. By undermining the enemy’s strategic plan, you disrupt their ability to execute their objectives effectively, rendering their efforts ineffective. This approach requires a deep understanding of the enemy’s long-term goals, resources, and the way they intend to fight. By attacking the foundations of their strategy, you force them to adapt or reconsider their course of action, which can lead to their defeat even if they possess superior forces or better tactics.
In modern contexts, this principle applies to business strategy, political campaigns, and even cyber warfare. In business, for example, a company can disrupt a competitor’s strategic vision by outmaneuvering them in key markets or introducing innovative technologies that make their competitors’ strategies obsolete. The rise of Netflix disrupted the traditional television and movie industry’s business strategy, forcing companies like Blockbuster and HBO to adapt or face decline. In political campaigns, candidates often attack an opponent’s overarching strategy by challenging their policies or public image, shifting the focus of the debate and forcing their rivals into a defensive position.
The concept is also relevant in military strategy, where the goal is to identify and exploit weaknesses in an enemy’s overall plan. For example, during World War II, the Allied forces did not only focus on defeating Nazi Germany’s military but also sought to disrupt their strategic plans, such as through intelligence operations, deception tactics, and targeting supply lines. The success of operations like D-Day and Operation Fortitude—where the Allies misled the Germans about the landing location—demonstrated how attacking the enemy’s strategy, not just their forces, can lead to victory. In modern warfare, targeting an adversary’s cyber infrastructure, disrupting their command and control systems, or using psychological operations can effectively cripple an enemy’s strategic capabilities without engaging in direct combat.
