Part of what you would need to do in creating these 'safe havens' is make a clear statement of the intent, and try to get everyone living there to buy into it.  Its like when taking over a platoon or company - eventually you should have a 'command philosophy'.  A clear statement for your soldiers explaining what you think is important, how you will ( Read more... )

I guess first of all the usual caveats - I am by no means an expert on counter-insurgency operations.  Or even infantry operations.  I'm also coming up with this stuff without tying it to our own logistics and financing, so it may not even be practical.  Oh, and I am pulling bits and pieces I've heard from places - like the whole 'inkblot' ( Read more... )

Of the same things I'd heard last year, the same problems and issues.  Logistics is broken, they don't know how to use NCO's (or build an NCO Corps), and there is a definite lack of trust.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/magazine/20iraq.htmlOf course, on the last page they talked about the need to put these criticisms in perspective   "As for ( Read more... )

Years ago, while trying to learn more about all that fun interrogation/neurolinguistic stuff, I borrowed the book "Killing Rage", an autobiography by a former IRA member named Eamon Collins.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1862070474/026-3012326-2515614?v=glance&n=266239 He talks about what drew him to the IRA, how he withstood interrogation ( Read more... )