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Tough Adversary: Don’t Blame Sun Tzu

Gregory Carpenter

Analyzes military academy curricula and operational philosophy from China and Russia to explain the strategic foundations of foreign cyber adversaries.

Summary

Operational Frustrations in Cyber Defense

Despite advanced technical capabilities and trained operators, national security cyber operations often struggle with persistent adversary resilience in contested cyberspace.

The Role of Adversarial Philosophy

Understanding adversary campaigns requires analyzing underlying strategic philosophy rather than focusing exclusively on tactical tools and techniques.

Insights from Foreign Military Academies

Examining contemporary curricula and published literature from Russian and Chinese military academies reveals how foreign strategists conceptualize information warfare and multi-domain operations.

Reorienting Defensive Strategy

Western cyber defense paradigms must incorporate philosophical and holistic perspectives to anticipate adversary moves and protect critical national infrastructure.

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