Pentagon Reveals New Strategy to Defeat Islamic State

   The Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu once stated: "All war is deception." What it actually implies is "you should never tell your enemies what your plans are." His philosophy on war is used time again by students and military professionals alike in The Art of War. Why then have our senior warriors posted a pending, major offensive for all the world to see against the Islamic State held city of Mosul, in Iraq, months in advance of the planned operation? Doesn't that fly in the face of Sun Tzu's adage?
     Or does it tell you something else?
     Deception is a tool our military has used time and time again. In World War Two, General Eisenhower deceived the German High Command the long anticipated invasion of Europe was focused on Calais--the shortest distance between England and France, and the most obvious choice. The Germans blinked. Of course, the allies didn't exactly put this in writing for the Germans. It was the positioning of dummy forces directly opposite Calais that did the trick. The German High Command must have thought the allies were dumb. Actually, it was the other way around. The Germans studied Sun Tzu as well. The invasion came in at Normandy, as most everyone knows.
    If this is the case, then the Pentagon can be forgiven.  But the way things have been going lately, I kind of have my doubts. I hope I'm wrong. If indeed the attack is to force itself on the Islamic State held city of Mosul, the enemy will have months to prepare its defenses including the thousand or so Humvee and assorted armored vehicles pilfered from Iraqi army bases and depots this past week.
    Pray for those who are about to die re-taking Mosul.