Tactical definitions and tactical metrics undermine strategic progress: Our doctrinal definitions focus our efforts on the symptoms of insurgency rather than upon the fundamental nature of insurgency. Similarly, our metrics for assessing progress are largely tied to tactical measures of progress. Overtime we have increasingly compromised critical strategic factors in order to maximize our tactical effectiveness. Night Raids are a classic example of this, designed to maximize objective tactical gains, but at the expense of strategic principles. Sums of tactical gains do not equal strategic success.
Recommendation: Reframe the entire operation to promote the following perceptions:
sovereignty – is governance IAW the expectations of the affected populations;
legitimacy – do the affected populations recognize the right of this governance to affect them;
justice – how do the people feel about the rule of law as applied to them;
respect – do people feel they are treated equally to similarly situated populations more closely aligned with governance; lastly,
empowerment – do people across the population perceive they have trusted, certain, legal and culturally relevant means to shape the governance that affects them. These are subjective and in the perspective of those affected.
Bookmarks