 America 's Asian conflicts against Japan , North Korea , and North Vietnam brought Sun Tzu to the attention of American military leaders . The Department of the Army in the United States , through its Command and General Staff College , has directed all units to maintain libraries within their respective headquarters for the continuing education of personnel in the art of war . The Art of War is mentioned as an example of works to be maintained at each facility , and staff duty officers are obliged to prepare short papers for presentation to other officers on their readings . Similarly , Sun Tzu 's Art of War is listed on the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program . During the Gulf War in the 1990s , both Generals Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and Colin Powell employed principles from Sun Tzu related to deception , speed , and striking one 's enemy 's weak points . However , the United States and other Western countries have been criticised for not truly understanding Sun Tzu 's work and not appreciating The Art of War within the wider context of Chinese society . 
