I must say the term "pacification" gives me the chills.Originally Posted by Rex Brynen
In fairness, the body of the report correctly notes that this was seen as a "war of conquest" by the Filipinos. However, I think the author and/or CSI missed a real opportunity in not subtitling this "Case Studies of Colonial Conquest in the Phillippines" -- especially given that the perception of the US as an outside, neocolonial force is a key element in the moral terrain of the current insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan (something that I think needs to be more fully grasped throughout the USG).[/QUOTE]
Agreed. It could also be seen as the maturation of tactics developed on the plains, since the great majority of the officers engaged in the Philippines learned their trade in the Frontier Army. Interesting parallel...the army we sent to the Philippines (at least in terms of officers and NCOs) was possibly the most combat-experienced we fielded before the current time.
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