Or, really, anyone who finds themselves involved in one of the militant protest movements sweeping the globe these last couple of years. But this is mostly aimed at anarchists. Non-American anarchists, of course. I speak to Hong Kong, to Ecuador, to Sudan, to Haiti, to Chile, on and on.

This is partially based on my own first-hand experience of lesser (and peaceful, of course) protests than these glorious overseas ones, partially based on the experiences I have heard relayed to me, and partially based on my extrapolations and generalizations from these things. Through these, I have interpreted how to apply — or, perhaps more importantly, not apply — each of the fabled 36 stratagems.

This is of crucial importance, because most militants are drawn into the streets by the intensity of events — they do not first acquire training, or knowledge of tactics and strategy. Even if they did, they would acquire it from a statist perspective. We are not statists: we do not use statist organizational methods, nor do we pursue statist objectives. We cannot uncritically ape the actions of the state, and expect success — there must be a re-interpretation.

1 — Cross the sea without the emperor’s knowledge

Mask your real goals from those in authority who lack vision by not alerting them to your movements or any part of your plan.

This is very commonly done — the name for it, amongst anarchists, is “security culture”. Love it, learn it, internalize it.

2 — Besiege Wèi to rescue Zhào

When the enemy is too strong to be attacked directly, then attack something he holds dear. Know that he cannot be superior in all things. Somewhere there is a gap in the armor, a weakness that can be attacked instead. The idea here is to avoid a head-on battle with a strong enemy, and instead strike at his weakness elsewhere. This will force the strong enemy to retreat in order to support his weakness. Battling against the now tired and low-morale enemy will give a much higher chance of success.

Don’t attack cops. Don’t attack well-defended symbolic targets. Find poorly-guarded targets of economic significance, and sabotage those. Some forms of this are sometimes referred to as “monkeywrenching”, and you can find more information about this by searching that term.

3 — Kill with a borrowed knife

Attack using the strength of another (in a situation where using one’s own strength is not favourable). Trick an ally into attacking him, bribe an official to turn traitor, or use the enemy’s own strength against him. The idea here is to cause damage to the enemy by getting a third party to do the deed.

You should keep in mind that all political coalitions are unstable. If you find yourself working with tankies, liberals, or even the state… they will eventually betray you. If you think that it’s getting to be that time, you might as well retreat from a fight and let them take the brunt — if you’re called out for it later, it’s a deniable betrayal.

4 — Wait at leisure while the enemy labors

It is an advantage to choose the time and place for battle. In this way you know when and where the battle will take place, while your enemy does not. Encourage your enemy to expend his energy in futile quests while you conserve your strength. When he is exhausted and confused, you attack with energy and purpose. The idea is to have your troops well-prepared for battle, in the same time that the enemy is rushing to fight against you. This will give your troops a huge advantage in the upcoming battle, of which you will get to select the time and place.

All too often, supposedly progressive political forces find themselves in a small-r reactionary position. Do not get stuck responding to right-wing or statist provocations — do not get stuck on defense. Engage in provocations of your own — play offense, as much as is possible.

5 — Loot a burning house

When a country is beset by internal conflicts, when disease and famine ravage the population, when corruption and crime are rampant, then it will be unable to deal with an outside threat. This is the time to attack. Keep gathering internal information about an enemy. If the enemy is currently in its weakest state ever, attack it without mercy and totally destroy it to prevent future troubles.

The greatest potential for revolution — and, for reaction — comes at the time of greatest instability.

6 — Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west