"Military action is important to the nation--it is the ground of death and life, the path of survival and destruction, so it is imperative to examine it."

Over two thousand years ago, a Chinese warrior-philosopher named Sun-Tzu wrote a book called The Art of War. To this day, it is considered one of the best conceptual lessons on how to conduct military operations. Let's see how our government's military action in Iraq stacks up against the words of the master:

"Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness, courage and sternness."

Intelligence--conflicting, Trustworthiness--what weapons of mass destruction?, Humanness--no idea how humane we are, Courage--we've got that, Sternness--if nothing else, our leadership is stern.

"I have heard of military operations that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen one that was skillful and lasted a long time. It is never beneficial to a nation to have a military operation continue for a long time."

In my eyes, this is the most profound statement Sun Tzu ever made. While our initial attack in Iraq was quick, it does not ever appear beneficial to occupy a country. With every passing day, more money is spent and more troops die. A lose-lose scenario for the nation.

"When the civil leadership is ignorant of military affairs but shares equally in the government of armies, the soldiers get confused. When the civil leadership is ignorant of military maneuvers but shares equally in the command of armies, the soldiers hesitate. Once the armies are confused and hesitant, trouble comes from competitors."

What is our goal in Iraq? What are we really trying to accomplish? Who's in charge? What's the end game? I feel confused and hesitant.

"Those who use the military skillfully do not raise troops twice and do not provide food three times."

All of the military reserves are being called up, and there are motions to bring back the draft. How many times will we raise the troops? How many times will we provide the food?

"According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?"

Numbers of troops don't win wars. Strategy does. 130,000 troops and nowhere to go.

"If you do not know the plans of your competitors, you can not make informed alliances."

Our government has made it clear that alliances are not important unless of course they agree to do it our way.

"Armed struggle is considered profitable, and armed struggle is considered dangerous."

The price of cheap oil thus far has been the lives of 400 US soldiers and over $100 billion. Gas prices are at about $1.50 a gallon. The figures for all will continue to rise.

"Good warriors cause others to come to them, and do not go to others."

Our warriors are about as far from home as possible. We are definitely going into the belly of the beast.

"So the important thing about a military operation is victory, not persistence."

How do we win in Iraq? How long will we stay there? What is the point to all of it? It's been eight months since we first rolled, and these questions still linger in my mind. Sun Tzu has been dead and gone for two thousand years, and he still has a better handle on how to have a successful military operation than the most powerful government currently in the world. Go figure.

Chris Jungle likes his wars fought on the movie screen.