strategy vs concept of operation
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheCurmudgeon
This is a bit of a preemptive strike, as I have not been privy to the new 5-34, but this phrase originally tossed around by COL Gentile that COIN is not Strategy has gotten me to wondering. The more I think about it, the more I think it is wrong. In Iraq and Afghanistan, COIN was the ONLY connection we had to the political strategic objective of a free, democratic country. No other doctrine contained anything about democracy or democratic legitimacy. And while I agree that the doctrine is flawed, that connection is not the flaw.
Seem to remember that you argued along this line - without success - in a long-past post on another thread. Here's an opposing opinion.
Strategy is a purposeful, clearly established and agreed plan to achieve an overall objective and any auxiliary components of that objective. Part and parcel of a strategy is a means or methodology to distinguish between success and failure, and in some instances between partial success and partial failure.
COIN is just a concept of operation. It may be present within a strategy as the sole or as one of several conops. To try and employ a conop as a strategy is to avoidably risk falling disastrously short of the objective/objectives.
If you want an example just look back into recent history.
Some Proof From Your Side
Curmudgy,
Show me proof of something we (USA) did that was anywhere near as effective in generating the ''Desired Effect" as the attack on 911.
Like I say,we are missing something!