Monday, September 07, 2009
RAND Study on Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan
For those so inclined.
Splash, out
Jason
This study explores the nature of the insurgency in Afghanistan, the key challenges and successes of the U.S.-led counterinsurgency campaign, and the capabilities necessary to wage effective counterinsurgency operations. By examining the key lessons from all insurgencies since World War II, it finds that most policymakers repeatedly underestimate the importance of indigenous actors to counterinsurgency efforts. The U.S. should focus its resources on helping improve the capacity of the indigenous government and indigenous security forces to wage counterinsurgency. It has not always done this well. The U.S. military-along with U.S. civilian agencies and other coalition partners-is more likely to be successful in counterinsurgency warfare the more capable and legitimate the indigenous security forces (especially the police), the better the governance capacity of the local state, and the less external support that insurgents receive.
Splash, out
Jason
Labels: Afghanistan, infantry, Intelligence, Warfighting
Monday, August 17, 2009
Viet Nam Primer
Written during the Viet Nam war by S.L.A. Marshall and David Hackworth, this excellent tactical treatise is still a must-read for cadets, midshipmen, lieutenants, captains and beyond.
Just too good to exerpt; if you have an interest in warfighting at the unit level, where the rubber meets the road, written by a true master of the art in COL Hackworth, then read the whole thing.
Splash, out
Jason
Just too good to exerpt; if you have an interest in warfighting at the unit level, where the rubber meets the road, written by a true master of the art in COL Hackworth, then read the whole thing.
Splash, out
Jason
Labels: Hackworth, infantry, tactics, Viet Nam, Warfighting
