Gambling For Paradise...?
I'm no longer convinced that all these sucide actions, in particular the actions of the bunglers, have any earthy conceived end and plot and intent laden with ideology and political goals. I'm beginning to think there is no great ascription to the AQ/jihadist ideology and dreams of Shariah land, that with some it is more an act of total rejection of that which can no longer be tolerated and altered, despite one's best efforts to the contrary. In a sea of sin and corruption and with maximum efforts extended to end or at least minimize said conditions, what options are left? Is the logical extension of Tazkiyyat an-Nafs, the way of heart cleansing, to gamble that Allah's mercy will find a place in paradise if some of the evil forces are cleansed in the process? The prohibition against suicide in Al Qu'ran is trumped by Allah's willingness to forgive (ar-Rahim). The concept of Istirhama, begging for mercy, may be more at play here than some nefarious alliance with AQ. Does the AQ ideology simply aid and abet these people and not actively groom and condition them? We may need to look to the Sufis for answers and allies if my hunch is right. I have no doubt the background on many of these characters/bunglers will show no great irrationality and deviance from the norm of Islamic life, that the course of their everyday affairs will be bland with consistency and obedience.
What is Capacity Building?
I remember sitting down with our PRT and discussing what they were trying to accomplish and how we might be able to help. The PRT Chief said they were there to build capacity - so other then sharing information with them, there was not much they could help with.
Today I had a chance to re-engage Capacity Building in a role playing excersices - I got to play the USAID rep in a mock PCC discussing theoretical policy actions:eek:
So I went fishing for a position to take based on USAID's long term perspective in the country at hand. I'm hoping one of our SWC members can tell me if I'm even in the ball park. I put it under this thread because building capacity is a big part of bringing stability, and bringing stability (or preventing instability) is part of this thread on the new paradigm of the 21st Century.
Capacity as I described it is about making (assisting the HN govt with planning and allocating resources to) something both attractive and exportable. Attractive so that it attracts both the indigenous population and investment (foreign or domestic) and exportable so that as a model, it can be stood up elsewhere in the state as security permits.
Capacity might be infrastucture such as physical roads, airports, ports, trains etc. to move trade or people, it might also be telecommunications, IT, education pools (needed to attract companies looking to out source or off shore), Public Works, health care, Agriculture, courts and municipalities, Security Force assist, banking, markes, elections or manufacturing.
The idea was sort of modeled on what I think the PRT in our neighborhood was trying to accomplish, but in this particular country the word "reconstruction" may not have been correct. It might have been more along the lines of CDT or Capacity Development Team since this was not a failed state, but one that had requested assistance before it failed.
The excercise was pretty good. One it brought up the issue that states are not a "one-size fits all" so the assistance we might provide must be tailored not only to our goals, and perceptions, but must take into account that state's goals and and its political realities (funny you should bring it up that afternoon Steve, because we had a similiar experience this morning) - it is a partnership.
I think the topic of "capacity building" is at least one we need exposure to regardless if we (green suiters) are tasked to do it, or if we are only taksed to facillitate it. I think it is a part of the 21st Century Paradigm.
So, who has a good way to look at capacity building?
interagency staff ride report
Rob, you mentioned you'd put some thoughts down on your recent trip. I would be interested in hearing more. In the meantime, the special inspector general for iraq reconstruction has come out today with its quarterly report to congress. Lots' of talk about capacity development, including a section on page 61. If I knew how to copy text from a PDF, I would paste here, but otherwise, you can go to:
http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarter..._July_2007.pdf