But is "[strengthening] our currency in the eyes of the population" an effective means in suppressing an insurgency, especially one as complex as the Iraqi insurgency? I'd agree there's a strong correlation, but I'm not certain there's a definite casual relationship of one preceding the other. Even so, I'm not sure how earning someone's fondness or respect will make them desire what they want any less. By nature, insurgencies of whatever type are pro-active and not reactionary; they'll keep fighting until they get what they want. Peace for them is not simply the absence of violence, but the institution of their version of "justice". And that makes me wonder if we have the cultural aptitude to adjust to the Machiavellian nature of power politics? As I see it, we're not so much as engaged in a war in Iraq, but instead shoulder-deep in the cut-throat domestic politics of a foreign country. One day we're shooting up Faction XYZ, the next day we're arming them. That's not war. That's politics. So I'm not sure how effective the military can be in that kind of situation without significantly expanding the scope of responsibilities for the military beyond war. Or, even if it's wise to move the military in that direction.By better understanding the culture, we can shape our actions to strengthen our currency in the eyes of the population and devalue that of the insurgent...that's really the name of the game.
I agree with your statements about cultural awareness vs understanding, however.
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