But, now as then, Sun Tzu's words ring true:  Know your enemy and know 
yourself, and you will be successful in a hundred battles.

Case in point #1: Vietnam.  The big, bad American army went in, 
to protect the South Vietnam government, and were fought to a 
standstill.  Eventually forced out by pressures at home, the Americans 
left the government to its fate.  Why?  Ho Chih Minh knew his enemy - the 
unwillingness to take extreme, inhumane measures, the unpopularity of the 
war at home, the comparatively extravagant measures taken to heal the 
soldiers and the drain this put on resources.  He used this to his full 
advantage and won out, primarily because he could afford to wait.

Vietnam isn't even a fair example, because we didn't even fight
to our fullest.  I don't remember the details, but there was
a major supply line and airport that had our planes gone in and
taken them out, we would have struck a major blow to the enemy
right from the start.

Politics interfered and kept the generals from fighting their
war: we didn't want to have to deal with China, which would have
been the consequence of winning that war by a landslide.

Although, I suppose Minh knew that.
Sorta like how Akane takes advantage of Ranma's macho "don't hit
girls attitude" ^_^ sorry, i couldn't resist adding that. ;)

signed, phoneynt
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