Militant Tricks

by Poole, H. John

• ISBN13: 9780963869586
• ISBN10: 0963869582
• Edition: Illus.
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-30
• Publisher: Posterity Pr

Summary

This book gauges America's progress in Iraq and Afghanistan from a unique perspective,that of East-Asian battlefield deception. As both countries were part of the Mongol Empire for over 200 years, they are a perfect breeding ground for every sort of ancient Chinese trick,any one of the famous "36 Strategems." In combination, those stratagems can make a losing adversary think he is winning. They have done so to America before. To see past the militant Muslim's false face, one must look for the hidden intent behind his every initiative?whether martial or otherwise. Between September 2004 and September 2005, this book does just that for both theaters of war. For some readers, it will serve as an intelligence reference manual and be read a few paragraphs at a time. For others, it will provide an in-depth solution to the enemy's so-far-successful formula and be read cover to cover. Militant Tricks reveals enemy information that active-duty Americans seldom see:that which is contained in the regional media and literature. When properly interpretted (by a student of Eastern tactics and mindset), that information may shed enough light on ongoing events to still win both wars.

Author Biography

After almost 28 years of commissioned and noncommissioned infantry service, John Poole retired from the United States Marine Corps in April 1993. While on active duty, he spent two years in combat (1966-69), six years as an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Company at Camp Lejeune (1986-92) and one year as the SNCOIC of the 3rd Marine Division Combat Squad Leaders Course on Okinawa (1992-93).Since retirement, John Poole has heavily researched the small-unit tactics of other nations and written five other books: (1) The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO's Contribution to Warfare; (2) One More Bridge to Cross: Lowering the Cost of War; (3) Phantom Soldier: The Enemy's Answer to U.S. Firepower; (4) The Tiger's Way: A U.S. Private's Best Chance of Survival; and (5) Tactics of the Crescent Moon: Militant Muslim Combat Methods.As of September 2005, John Poole had conducted multiday training sessions for 37 Marine battalions, nine Marine schools, and five Army or Navy special-operations units. He has been stationed twice each in South Vietnam and Okinawa. He has visited Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, North Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Tibet, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Russia, East Germany, West Germany, Morocco, Israel (and the West Bank), Turkey, Iran, and Lebanon.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	ix
Foreword	xi
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xxi
Part One: The Ongoing ``War on Terror''
The Deteriorating Situation in Iraq	3	(32)
The Iraqi Insurgents' Tactical Methods	35	(20)
The Iraqi Militants' Point of Origin	55	(36)
Developments in Afghanistan	91	(10)
The Afghan Guerrillas' Tactical Trends	101	(10)
The Afghan Rebels' Base of Support	111	(40)
Part Two: Insurgent Tricks of the Militant Muslim
Stratagems When in a Superior Position	151	(12)
Stratagems for Confrontation	163	(12)
Stratagems for Attack	175	(14)
Stratagems for Confused Cases	189	(12)
Stratagems for Gaining Ground	201	(16)
Stratagems for Desperate Times	217	(16)
Part Three: Combating the Deception
Ways to Turn the Tide in Iraq	233	(24)
Things to Do for Afghanistan	257	(10)
Averting a Wider Conflict	267	(28)
Notes	295	(54)
Glossary	349	(8)
Bibliography	357	(26)
About the Author	383	(2)
Name Index	385