In reading on FDR, I came upon the Civil Conservation Corps. I wonder how many of my generation or later are even familiar with FDR, let alone, his practices. I bring it up because Jessica bought the book for me in June 07 while I was on R&R. In my opinion, the New Deal is like a bible for counterinsurgency. Notice, there is no dialog for fighting, though FDR was no doubt a political warlord not to be trifled with.
No, the key to winning a counterinsurgency is NOT in how many you kill, but how many you save. Insurgents illuminate dissatisfaction with the government and agitate that dissatisfaction to the point of confrontation. The population, therefore, is the "key terrain" - using military jargon - of an effective counterinsurgency.
It is for that reason that I ponder the idea of a civil reconstruction corps. Engineers, farmers, general contractors, and scientists (to name only a few) who are contracted by the US government, not to build American forward operating bases, but to provide critical reconstruction assets and training to indigenous peoples. In other words, engineers and general contractors guide the construction of newer, more efficient, power stations. Scientists guide initial research into solar and wind generation systems. Architects and contractors teaching safer housing and public building construction. And agricultural people teaching the principle of sound, sustainable agriculture.
My personal goal is to return to Iraq and make a difference in the lives of the friends I left in Doura by influencing Iraqi agricultural practices. I have also started to think about a consortium of sorts with other specialists that might contribute to a better Iraq.
That, of course, funnels right into a business idea related to the Blackwater team. Instead of running around blowing stuff up, the company's teams would specialize in reconstruction. Of course, in the interest of self preservation, I do believe that some martial training would be mandatory, as would a degree of physical prowess. Something to consider later.
No, the key to winning a counterinsurgency is NOT in how many you kill, but how many you save. Insurgents illuminate dissatisfaction with the government and agitate that dissatisfaction to the point of confrontation. The population, therefore, is the "key terrain" - using military jargon - of an effective counterinsurgency.
It is for that reason that I ponder the idea of a civil reconstruction corps. Engineers, farmers, general contractors, and scientists (to name only a few) who are contracted by the US government, not to build American forward operating bases, but to provide critical reconstruction assets and training to indigenous peoples. In other words, engineers and general contractors guide the construction of newer, more efficient, power stations. Scientists guide initial research into solar and wind generation systems. Architects and contractors teaching safer housing and public building construction. And agricultural people teaching the principle of sound, sustainable agriculture.
My personal goal is to return to Iraq and make a difference in the lives of the friends I left in Doura by influencing Iraqi agricultural practices. I have also started to think about a consortium of sorts with other specialists that might contribute to a better Iraq.
That, of course, funnels right into a business idea related to the Blackwater team. Instead of running around blowing stuff up, the company's teams would specialize in reconstruction. Of course, in the interest of self preservation, I do believe that some martial training would be mandatory, as would a degree of physical prowess. Something to consider later.
