The army's position is made more difficult by the politicians in three different ways.
Ignorant of the whole army's inability to withdraw, they order a withdrawal.
We call this tying up the army.
Politicians don't understand the army's business.
Still, they think they can run an army.
This confuses the army's officers.
Bing-Fa: Martial Arts Strategy by Sun Tzu and Gary Gagliardi

This reminds me of the politicians in Washington. It's as true as it was when it was written.