A Better Iraq Strategy

A link to testimony by Ken Pollack on a better counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq.

It's a long, 12 page, article, but a fairly simple premise. Our current strategy involves rooting out and killing insurgents. This is the same type of strategy used in Vietnam and it traditionally fails (one could argue this the type of strategy used by Israel against Hamas and the PA). The reason it fails is that it alienates potential allies (by using brutal methods with poor intelligence) and it allows the insurgeny to determine their own level of engagement because they can always go back into hiding. The elusive "big battle" that the coalition forces wish for (to eradicate large number of insurgents) either never happens or happens to little long term effect (Fallujah).

Instead, a better, and proven counter insurgency strategy is known as the "speading ink blot" strategy. Instead of "rooting out" insurgents, the idea is to create a coalition stronghold where security is established, the economy can function, utilities, etc. This provides trust within a certain area and a model for how the rest of the country could operate without the insurgency. Once proven, the hearts and minds will be won as they see tangible benefits to their own lives. It also allows a safe haven for training police forces and other long-term security needs.

As we secure the initial area, operations spread into a wider and wider swath, until the country is rid of insurgents. It is a self-perpetuating strategy because the more successful it is in the local arena, the more appealing it becomes for the country as a whole.

The "spreading ink blot" is consistent with the overall strategy against autocrats and Fascists in the Middle East in general, for which Iraq was provide the counter example. That is, if Iraq can turn into a functional, friendly country, it will encourage the same in neighboring countries, ie Syria and Iran and even years down the line, Saudi Arabia.

Les do it!