Tough Adversary Don’t Blame Sun Tzu
Gregory Carpenter, DrPH
DEF CON 32 Creator Stage · Day 1 · Creator Stage
In "Tough Adversary Don’t Blame Sun Tzu," Dr. Gregory Carpenter, a former NSA analyst, presents a compelling and deeply researched examination of the foundational philosophies and historical influences shaping Chinese and Russian national strategic goals, particularly in the realm of psychological and information warfare. The talk challenges the common Western over-reliance on Sun Tzu's *Art of War* as the sole lens through which to understand Chinese strategy, revealing a much richer and more complex academic curriculum taught at their military universities. Carpenter argues that to truly comprehend the actions of these nations, one must delve into their broader historical narratives and a wider array of strategic texts that inform their approach to manipulating information, influencing perceptions, and ultimately, controlling reality.