How can an army create a dilemma for an enemy force?

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tactics Sumerian phalanx, a block of foot soldiers depicted standing shield-to-shield, presenting spears, and advancing in a dense mass, detail from the Stele of the Vultures, limestone bas-relief, c. 2450 bce; in the Louvre Museum, Paris.

In military tactics, an army creates a dilemma by forcing an opponent into a situation where any available response leads to a disadvantage—a concept often described as being "damned if he does and damned if he does not."1

To achieve this, commanders utilize the following methods:

Dividing Forces: By attempting to outflank or encircle an enemy, a commander compels the opposing force to face in two directions simultaneously, effectively splitting their attention and resources.1
Contradictory Requirements: A commander may employ two different types of threats that require opposite defensive reactions. For example, historical cavalry charges forced enemies to close ranks for protection, while simultaneous cannon fire compelled them to open ranks to avoid mass casualties.1
Forced Exposure: During World War I, forces used a combination of high explosives and gas. The explosives forced soldiers to seek cover, while the gas—being heavier than air—forced them to abandon that same cover to avoid suffocation.1

Ultimately, these tactics rely on the "paradoxical" logic of warfare, where a commander uses guile and force to manipulate an opponent's decision-making process.1