Classic Form: A general publicly and brutally punishes a loyal subordinate, who then "defects" to the enemy. The enemy, seeing the evidence of the "injury," accepts the defector as genuine and trusts the false intelligence they provide. The principle is to fake weakness or harm to deceive the enemy and gain a strategic advantage.
Modern Version: Stage a public economic slowdown, an "internal crackdown" on a high-profile company, or engage in conspicuous self-criticism to reset a negative international reputation, lure an adversary into a false sense of security, or invite cooperation on false pretenses.
AI-Powered Execution: An AI can model the geopolitical consequences of a "staged injury." It can calculate which self-inflicted action—such as publicly punishing a well-known company, announcing a "disappointing" economic quarter, or even cancelling its own thinkers—will generate the most strategic benefit. This could be lulling an adversary into complacency, securing more favorable terms in a negotiation, or making the adversary lower its guard against other, more significant strategic moves.
CCP Application: The CCP may publicly clamp down on a tech firm like Tencent or Ant Group right before a major trade negotiation to create the appearance of adhering to "rule of law" and market principles. This "self-inflicted injury" is designed to make Western negotiators more trusting and willing to offer concessions. The CCP also frequently plays the victim on the world stage, complaining of "unfair sanctions," "racist bias," and "Western aggression" to gain sympathy from the international community and deflect criticism of its own predatory behavior.
Collaborators: Western analysts and policymakers who see what they hope for, interpreting every staged injury as a genuine sign of reform or weakness. News outlets that tone down their critical coverage in response to the CCP's performance of victimhood, falling for the deception.
Counter: Watch what follows the "wound." A genuine change in policy is followed by consistent action; a staged injury is followed by a strategic advance elsewhere. Never confuse political theater with genuine repentance or reform. Analyze actions, not apologies.