The author of the book is Dr. Zia ul haq Shamsi, Ph.D. in strategic studies. He has extensive expertise in research related to nuclear politics, arms control, deterrence, national security, and disarmament. In his book, the author offers a thorough examination of contemporary warfare via the framework of traditional knowledge. He has aimed to apply Sun Tzu’s everlasting precepts to the complicated nature of Hybrid warfare. This book is dedicated by the author to the troops and citizens who have died in needless, protracted wars. The main reason for the author publishing this book is to define hybrid warfare in tandem with Sun Tzu’s theories on the art of war.
The author has skillfully blended an appropriate introduction part with a brief synopsis of the book plan, theoretical framework, analysis, and methodology. This book adopts a deductive approach, combining primary and secondary material with qualitative analysis. The introduction lays the foundation for defining hybrid warfare, as a multifaceted approach that blends kinetic and non-kinetic means to undermine the will of the population. The author has applied Sun Tzu’s The Art of War precepts on ongoing hybrid warfare with the qualitative analysis of contemporary wars and conflicts. The author has described the purpose of hybrid warfare as it creates distrust among people within the states and its institutions.
This book is the core of Sun Tzu the art of war blended with hybrid warfare and is divided into six chapters.
The first chapter, The Art and Science of Hybrid War focuses on establishing the case for hybrid warfare and its application in both artistic and scientific contexts. It explains why, despite the concept’s age, hybrid warfare is becoming more prevalent in today’s globe. The author has introduced and applied D3 (dissidence, despondency, and disappointment) by doing by the adversary on a country so the country would be damaged without an alarm. The author has also defined WAR as the waste of available resources although many people have contradicted this phenomenon but somehow is true. The author suggested that healthy fight/ competition is a favorable option rather than to fight conventionally. The introduction contains several definitions regarding hybrid warfare, sun Tzu’s The Art of War hybrid warfare as the hybrid element adopts four full spectrum warfare modes asymmetric, conventional, irregular, and composite. It is not a new phenomenon but it is becoming vast and dangerous. According to the author, the definition of hybrid threats is those posed by opponents with the capability to employ non-conventional and conventional means to pursue their aims simultaneously. The author has identified hybrid as the combination of battle spaces, types of operations, military or non-kinetic, and blurring of actors with the scope of achieving strategic objectives by creating exploitable ambiguity. The author has examined NATO’s response to these threats, including the readiness action plan (RAP), which underscores the need for adaptability in the evolving forms of warfare.
The second chapter, Avoid Prolong Wars deals with the principles outlined in chapters I and II of Sun Tzu’s book. He asserts pressure on the idea that fighting a protracted battle requires a lot of resources and is therefore costly. Inflation can be spurred on by war. Rapid, soft wars requiring effective decision making are is what needed. Not to prolong wars to reap the benefits of your military-industrial growth. Long-lasting war destroys a nation’s economy. The perfect examples of them that are given in the bookare the Iraq war (2003-11) and the Afghanistan war (2001-21). Sun Tzu believed that fighting wars should be avoided at all costs and that if it must be, it should be done swiftly, without using excessive force on the resources. The author has provided an Illustration of how Europe’s resources were exhausted during World War I (1914-1918). The Russia-Ukraine war is another example of a protracted conflict that is discussed; it shouldn’t last long. Russia needs to fulfill its political obligations as quickly as feasible to avoid prolonged war.
Chapter 3 of this book Know Your Enemy and Know Yourselfanalyzes III, IV, and V of the art of war. Sun Tzu has long insisted on striving for psychological ascendency and avoid killing enemy soldiers. Before making any move, ascertain the capabilities and intentions of your opponents. For the commander to adequately plan and prepare his strategy, he needs to be well informed on any potential plans the enemy may have. Make the opponent submit, do not kill them, and include them in your army. Attack the adversary covertly while keeping them distracted.
Chapter 4 of the book Significance of Civil-Military Relationsdeals with the contents of chapters VI, VII, and VIII from Sun Tzu’s book. According to Sun Tzu, you cannot win a war if the armed forces and civil state apparatus are not working together. He adds that a commander had to take accountability for his position. Given the resources at hand, it ought to be a successful plan; otherwise, it would affect the morale of the state. According to Sun Tzu, a well-thought-out strategy is essential to the success of any war. The author has provided an excellent illustration of the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan. He underlined that to win the battle, Pakistan’s military and leadership needed to agree as they were not in the case of Kargil.
Defeating the triumph in chapter 5. This book’s Chapters ix and x are covered in this chapter by Sun Tzu. He emphasized the need to be ready for battle since one cannot win a war without being prepared.To find the best appropriate strategy, the author has underlined Pakistan’s response to international organizations. At the strategic level, the author has also stressed the need to develop practical measures to counter the risks associated with developing technologies. The preparation and tactics for fighting effectively are the key topics covered in this chapter.
In the conclusion, the author offers an originality and objective O2 term introduction for social scientists. The author has offered suggestions on topics that researchers might look into for their studies. The author has expertly concluded the meanings, applications, and tactics of hybrid regimes in the contemporary world emphasizing the need for the states to develop effective strategies and regulations to prevent non-state actors from using these techniques. In addition, the state military, government, and other key sectors work together for a comprehensive plan. The author concludes by making yet another piece of advice for social scientists to research war management to win the conflict without using force and identify every quantifiable aspect of the conflict.
The goal of the book is to offer useful insights into the phenomenon of hybrid warfare as well as the methods for overcoming its obstacles through the application of Sun Tzu the art of war precepts. The author, Dr Zia Ul Haq Shamsi has successfully provided the readers with the information and resources required to address new challenges. The book also pays gratitude to individuals who have endured needless and protracted conflicts, emphasizing the significance of taking lessons from the past to avert similar errors in the future
