Why Is The Global War On Terror So Hard To Win?

I thought this was a pretty decent article here over at Family Security Matters - it talks about the book, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a Chinese general. Take a look at a few of the passages here:

Sun Tzu reflects many themes about attacking enemy weaknesses rather than strengths. In the modern context, he writes extensively about issues that are now embraced by the term "information warfare." To Sun Tzu, "all warfare is based on deception;" and equally good intelligence is an essential precursor to victory. Regrettably, in today's War on Terror (WoT) we are forced to fight mainly on a defensive basis. One of the main problems is that we are not facing an "Army" in the conventional sense, despite the claims of the enemy. As a result we are mostly forced into reactive operations rather than proactive actions - hence, the vast expenditures of effort in time, manpower and treasure on Homeland Security. Since the enemy conducts mainly covert rather than overt operations, defensive measures are mainly preventive rather than offensive. That is a major, and often unrecognized, reason why the WoT needs to be fought in foreign lands such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

I think this paragraph sums up some of the strategies our enemies are using in the GWOT and highlights our weaknesses:

In sum, the enemy in the WoT is pursuing the strategies of Sun Tzu. They are fighting a highly successful information campaign, weakening our resolve and attacking the very fabric of our society. They constantly exploit our weaknesses by such tactics as the litigation suits brought by the "Flying Imams" and many of the Guantanamo detainees, using our own systems against us. The use of the internet to spread the Danish cartoon campaign throughout the Islamic world was another example of their advanced use of information warfare . It is by these and many other means they are working to set the conditions for success.

It really is a good article to read - I learned alot, myself. I'll leave it with a quote from the Chinese general, Sun Tzu:

"So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will fight without danger in battles.If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself" - Sun Tzu

Exclusive: Why the Enemy’s Methods Make the War on Terror so Difficult to Win

When it comes to foreign relations, business strategy and military operations, arguably the most influential book of all time is The Art of War accredited to Sun Tzu, a Chinese general who lived about 2,500 years ago. While there is much discussion and disagreement about the exact circumstances surrounding the writing of the book and even over the various translations, it has such credibility as a basic tutorial that the campaigns of Mao Tse-tung, Douglas MacArthur and Norman Schwarzkopf were based on it. Today, proponents as unexpected as Donald Trump and Luiz Scolari quote from Sun Tzu and advocate his efficacy.
The Art of War was required reading for all the military leaders of the former Soviet Union and is widely and highly recommended to students of warfare, politics and business around the world today. It remains required study for professional military officers in many nations, notably including the U.S. (it is on the West Point curriculum), China and India. It is a relatively short book (more of a pamphlet at typically only 71 pages) and there are numerous translations and editions available from all the large retailers.
The influence of Sun Tzu is hard to overstate. In a mere 13 chapters, this book lays out the essential strategies to be followed, even today for the successful achievement of any campaign. In this modern information age it is widely available, so it is also worth bearing in mind that it is not only good people who read and understand its concepts. Unlike other ancient treatises, it does not focus on specific tactics or techniques which can become dated with changing technology.
Sun Tzu reflects many themes about attacking enemy weaknesses rather than strengths. In the modern context, he writes extensively about issues that are now embraced by the term "information warfare." To Sun Tzu, "all warfare is based on deception;" and equally good intelligence is an essential precursor to victory. Regrettably, in today's War on Terror (WoT) we are forced to fight mainly on a defensive basis. One of the main problems is that we are not facing an "Army" in the conventional sense, despite the claims of the enemy. As a result we are mostly forced into reactive operations rather than proactive actions - hence, the vast expenditures of effort in time, manpower and treasure on Homeland Security. Since the enemy conducts mainly covert rather than overt operations, defensive measures are mainly preventive rather than offensive. That is a major, and often unrecognized, reason why the WoT needs to be fought in foreign lands such as Afghanistan and Iraq. This was and remains one of the few ways in which we can conduct the offensive operations which are widely recognized by students of warfare as essential to achieving any victory.
Even in these few, difficult offensive operations we are up against a foe that hides in amongst the civilian population, preventing the application of basic principles such as concentration of force. Their strategy allows a physically weaker enemy to engage with some success forces who have much greater strength at every level, by selection of the time and place to concentrate against small patrols using swift "hit and run" tactics. From their perspective this is a sensible ploy allowing them to set the conditions for engagement. It has also entrapped us in a prolonged engagement, which Sun Tzu rightly says is never a successful strategy for a country.