The Taliban know Sun Tzu, the great Chinese war philosopher from the 2nd Century BC. They probably have never read his writings, some of the Taliban may never have heard Sun Tzu's name. Indeed, many of the Taliban are illiterate. But they know Sun Tzu's teachings.
Western-style warfare is force-on-force based, leading to annihilation of the enemy. American children know this form of warfare from playing cowboys and Indians in the backyard. Asian-style warfare is more subtle, closer to the elements of nature, and better conducive to insurgent warfare. And like Western children, Asian children--Afghan children--understand their form of warfare as well. They know the Sun Tzu methods of conflict resolution, even during times of extended peace, because the Asian philosophy is so ingrained in their culture. This is not to say the Afghans are a warrior culture, only that they approach conflict resolution different than we do.
For example, Sun Tzu said, "To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill." Imagine children trying to apply that one in the backyard while playing army. Or this: "Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance." If that's not a fitting proverb for a ragtag insurgency to defeat the great United States war machine, I don't know what is.
Since Sun Tzu said "You must know your enemy as you know yourself," then perhaps understanding Sun Tzu might help us to understand the Taliban, and how to fight him. More importantly, what can Sun Tzu teach us about ourselves in the Global War on Terror?
