The Ultimate Evolution of Strategy

The ultimate evolution of strategy is toward more and more indirection. An opponent who cannot see where you are heading is at a severe disadvantage. In politics, occupying the flank by taking a similar position to the other side, coopting its ideas for your own purposes can prove dangerous. The best encirclements are psychological. You have surrounded their minds the horns of the beast. Create relentless pressure on them from all sides. Dominate their attention and close off their access to the outside world. Make your attacks unpredictable to create a vaporous feeling of vulnerability. As you sense their weakening, resolve, crush their will power by tightening the noose.