All,
Let me state upfront this is NOT intended to be a political thread. If it becomes one, I hope the MODS quickly shut it down.
But I've been thinking this one over for some time. There are a LOT of mil/vet types on B&B. All of us have opinions and thoughts on this topic. I'm not saying we can solve the current situations in the Middle East, but that we can surely have a lively, yet professional discussion that may, in the end, effect our thinking on our global situation as human beings. As we are a site that promotes all things gentlemanly, we should be able to speak as gentlemen.
Thus...the long preface before I pose the question and my thoughts...if you can't be gentlemanly about this topic, then please, I ask you...pass on to another thread.
But...if you're interested in having a discussion/debate about the merits of COIN warfare and its feasibility in modern times...please continue.
That said...here is my simple question upfront. Can the Western World, with all its amazing benefits and horrible frustrations..."win" a Counterinsurgency (COIN) conflict?
My thoughts...
COIN (as it is referred to now in every corner of the Western military) requires a scalpel approach. Win the hearts and minds of the populace, rebuild infrastructure and make lives better while using precision to cut out the few bad seeds in the existing society and convincing the surrounding populace that they were in fact bad seeds.
But the military, in its current manifestation, is more of a broadsword than a scalpel. Our ability to conduct "true" COIN...live amongst the populace, act with them in unison...identify the bad seeds etc. will always be hampered by factors such as:
1) The large bases we've created today in SWA.
2) The inability to get "outside the wire" and in the face of the populace we are there to protect.
3) The constant focus at home on body count vs the more nebulous, less measurable, positive effect on the local populace.
These factors, are but a few that I believe hamper our ability to truly "do" COIN warfare.
So...active duty and vets alike...what do ye think?
Let me state upfront this is NOT intended to be a political thread. If it becomes one, I hope the MODS quickly shut it down.
But I've been thinking this one over for some time. There are a LOT of mil/vet types on B&B. All of us have opinions and thoughts on this topic. I'm not saying we can solve the current situations in the Middle East, but that we can surely have a lively, yet professional discussion that may, in the end, effect our thinking on our global situation as human beings. As we are a site that promotes all things gentlemanly, we should be able to speak as gentlemen.
Thus...the long preface before I pose the question and my thoughts...if you can't be gentlemanly about this topic, then please, I ask you...pass on to another thread.
But...if you're interested in having a discussion/debate about the merits of COIN warfare and its feasibility in modern times...please continue.
That said...here is my simple question upfront. Can the Western World, with all its amazing benefits and horrible frustrations..."win" a Counterinsurgency (COIN) conflict?
My thoughts...
COIN (as it is referred to now in every corner of the Western military) requires a scalpel approach. Win the hearts and minds of the populace, rebuild infrastructure and make lives better while using precision to cut out the few bad seeds in the existing society and convincing the surrounding populace that they were in fact bad seeds.
But the military, in its current manifestation, is more of a broadsword than a scalpel. Our ability to conduct "true" COIN...live amongst the populace, act with them in unison...identify the bad seeds etc. will always be hampered by factors such as:
1) The large bases we've created today in SWA.
2) The inability to get "outside the wire" and in the face of the populace we are there to protect.
3) The constant focus at home on body count vs the more nebulous, less measurable, positive effect on the local populace.
These factors, are but a few that I believe hamper our ability to truly "do" COIN warfare.
So...active duty and vets alike...what do ye think?