Rope-a-dope

Coalition and Afghan forces encountered only sporadic resistance Sunday as they pressed further into the insurgent stronghold of Marjah in Afghanistan's strategic southern region.

. . . Previous operations have successfully cleared insurgents, but the U.S.-led coalition has lacked enough foreign or Afghan forces to hold areas. Now, more than 4,000 Afghan troops are working alongside thousands of coalition forces in central Helmand, and authorities plan to bring hundreds of police officers to build long-term security.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-02-12-afghan-attack_N.htm

I'm reminded of Ali vs. Foreman.

Rope-a-dope is a boxing fighting style commonly associated with Muhammad Ali (who coined the term) in the Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman.

The rope-a-dope is performed by a boxer assuming a protected stance, in Ali's classic pose, lying against the ropes, and allowing his opponent to hit him, in the hope that the opponent will become tired and make mistakes which the boxer can exploit in a counterattack.

In competitive situations other than boxing, rope-a-dope is used to describe strategies in which one party purposely puts itself in what appears to be a losing position, attempting thereby to become the eventual victor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope-a-dope