Pragmatic Approach to Counterinsurgency

摘要

The US 'surge' strategy in Iraq was almost implemented too late. However, it appears that it has worked to create the opportunity for political progress as a fledgling Iraqi government struggles to enfranchise Sunnis, Kurds, and extremist Shia militias. Increasing this already monumental challenge is the eventual withdrawal of American troops and low oil prices. Despite these challenges, hope now exists where it did not before. This project examines the major counterinsurgency lessons I learned as a squadron commander responsible for a violent Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad during the surge of US troops in 2007-08. Armed with a new strategy based on population security, American commanders spread out across Baghdad and its surrounding belts in a final attempt to bring the many different faces of the Iraq insurgency under control. As one of those commanders, I learned that economical opportunity, personal relationships with the civilian population, and a sense of justice were close partners with population security in rooting out a stubborn insurgency.