Human Terrain & Anthropology (merged thread)

[J Wolfsberger]

...that terrified locals used in research projects participate under conditions of “voluntary informed consent."

Are these people really so dim that they think Iraq is a research project? I understand the ROE for the forum, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a way to describe this kind of thinking that doesn't use harsh language.

[goesh]

-ultimately we want a war where nobody gets hurt so I think it is a valid concern

[Penta]

Are these people really so dim that they think Iraq is a research project? I understand the ROE for the forum, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a way to describe this kind of thinking that doesn't use harsh language.

Perhaps I'm being charitable, but I think the concern is that non-affiliated researchers would be vierwed with the same fear as the military, possibly even after the conflict's end. Not so much a concern in Iraq, perhaps, but possibly valid in other places.

[Abu Suleyman]

At the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, we have incorporated a Human Terrain Team into the rotational brigade so they learn what the other is about. The HTT members learn what a day in the life of a Soldier is like, by going through patrols in sector and interacting with civilians on the battlefield and the brigade combat team gets an idea on what the HHT will give to them, a better understanding of the local culture along with a better ability to forsee how US actions might be percieved by the local population and how the unintended consequences might be averted or contained (long sentence I know). Yeah, these academics are helping US forces, but they are helping us understand the population so that we can end our involvement overseas by setting conditions to allow our withdrawal without a collapse of the government. As for the nay sayers, they can't get over themselves and don't have the stones to step out of the school yard and actually be apart of history instead of reading about it.

Sorry for the somewhat salty verbiage in the title. Nevertheless, I feel like we have tapped into a huge zit of discontent. And unfortunately that zit is not only particularly discontented, it also seems fairly irrelevant. Although this is a particularly heartening as it is a confirmation of my belief that there is a anti-academia bias (please remember that biases can be justified, and the biased always think that they are), although it seems to be considerably more widespread than the military. Nevertheless, whether it is a waste of time to go to college or frustrating to spend years to get a PhD. and then not be able to find a job is thoroughly outside the scope of the Small Wars Journal.

However, the use of HTT's at the NTC is germane. That we have clawed together enough knowledgeable people to help the military at least in the training box. I think this is a huge step forward. An even better option would be to allow people who are curious, or perhaps want peripheral and not as integral a role to participate in the NTC rotations. This would allow people to see that soldiers are just people like everyone else, and that indeed the military is interested in saving lives, and not taking them.

In the end, this all goes to the thesis I originally introduced, that better communication will lead to better results. Let the light shine in!

[120mm]

Grinding an axe "that way" leads to an inferior edge. Puts too much "curl" on the point of the edge.

My grandpap taught me that as a young pup.

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought you were all talking about me, behind my back.

[Norfolk]

Grinding an axe "that way" leads to an inferior edge. Puts too much "curl" on the point of the edge.

My grandpap taught me that as a young pup.

Well, they did say CHEAP N'EASY!

[120mm]

We had our first run of HTTs at JMRC in Europe. In general, it was a collision/train wreck/whatever you want to call it. Big Green doesn't want to give HTTs game play, and HTTs don't know how to play nice with Big Green.

As a writer, the initial HTT offering for training scenarios were pathetic, but I'll chalk that up to inexperience and the late nature of their entry into the field. We'll see what happens in the future.

One problem we have, is that everyone who comes from "the outside" feels compelled to give a lecture on how they contribute, regardless of the situation. When the ChOPS gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself, feel free to use 3 minutes, not 50.

[Tom Odom]

More along the lnes of what Drew just said from the Weekly Standard. Understand there is much I find disagreeable about this piece and like most neocon scribbiling the devil is defintely in the details. Still it is worth the look as a snap shot (with a filtered lens).
Best,
Tom

Anthropology Goes To War

There are some things the Army needs in Afghanistan, but more academics are not at the top of the list.

By Ann Marlowe

At this point in the war on terror, even people who think David Galula is a trendy new chef are quick to point to the need for cultural understanding in successful counterinsurgency. Often, they are quicker still to beat up on our military for supposedly ignoring this. They are quite sure that if we just understood the Iraqis/Afghans/Shiites/Sunnis better, we would have made fewer mistakes. The military is ready to beat up on itself, too, although if you scan military journals, it seems to have spent much of the last few years retooling to fight small rather than large wars, and to emphasize counterinsurgency and nation-building rather than mere kinetics (aka killing).

We should learn the lessons of Vietnam and Algeria, we are earnestly told. Well, perhaps the most successful counterinsurgency operation ever mounted, David Galula's in Algeria, doesn't build the case for the overweening importance of cultural knowledge. The Algerians pacified thanks to Galula's insights were French-speaking (some of the leaders of the FLN barely spoke Arabic). The French took back territory from the rebels not because Galula convinced them that he understood their culture, but because he convinced them that their interests were better served by affiliation with France. (A dozen pages of Galula are worth more than anything written by anyone mentioned in this article. His 1963 Pacification in Algeria, reissued by RAND last year, is a witty, snappy, pre-PC read.)

[Rex Brynen]

More along the lnes of what drew said from the Weekly Standard. Understand there is much I find disagreeable about this piece and like most neocon scribbiling the devil is defintely in the details. Still it is worth the look as a snap shot (with a filtered lens).
Best,
Tom

Actually, although I could find lots to disagree with too, I found it a VERY useful piece.

First, she's absolutely right about nuance being everything.

Second, just because you're a newly-minted PhD with excellent references and field experience doesn't mean that you really understand the intersection of culture and politics. I know a great many PhDs that I wouldn't put anywhere near the field, because I think they would be more hindrance than help--and possibly even dangerous. There is a risk the HTS programme doesn't filter well enough, or that the need is so high that they let recruitment standards slip.

Third, I'm glad she called McFate on her use of the Patai book to provide insight into the "Arab mind.". I actually think its one of the worst books ever written on the ME, full of all kinds of stereotyped tripe. I was quite alarmed too when I saw McFate refer to it--its kind of like saying that one can get insight into COIN by watching Rambo.

Advanced graduate training in the social sciences means that you know lots more facts, and ought to have language skills. It hopefully means that you have honed your analytical, research, and writing skills. It means that you are equipped with all sorts of theoretical perspectives, which may be useful, useless, or counterproductive. It absolutely does not mean that you have any automatic political insight or diplomatic skills (which is precisely why MFAs don't rely on university transcripts when hiring FSOs), or can generate the empathy necessary to understand local needs and grievances, and anticipate and predict local behaviours.

[Tom Odom]

Third, I'm glad she called McFate on her use of the Patai book to provide insight into the "Arab mind.". I actually think its one of the worst books ever written on the ME, full of all kinds of stereotyped tripe. I was quite alarmed too when I saw McFate refer to it--its kind of like saying that one can get insight into COIN by watching Rambo.

Agreed and has been a long standing issue with me when quoted by wanna be "Arabists"

On Rambo, I do think we should have compound bows with explosive-tipped arrows (I can't wait to get a quiver full for next hunting season).

best

Tom

[marct]

Advanced graduate training in the social sciences means that you know lots more facts, and ought to have language skills. It hopefully means that you have honed your analytical and research skills. It means that you are equipped with all sorts of theoretical perspectives, which may be useful, useless, or counterproductive. It absolutely does not mean that you have any automatic political insight or diplomatic skills (which is precisely why MFAs don't reply on university transcripts when hiring FSOs), or can generate the empathy necessary to understand local needs and grievances, and anticipate and predict local behaviours.

What is scary about getting that training or, to be more specific, the degree, is the assumption on many people's part that you do have the skills, training and temperament (a labeling effect). In many ways, I would far prefer to have Anthropology graduate level training available rather than making Anthropologists available - at least that way it would be in-house.

[Tom Odom]

What is scary about getting that training or, to be more specific, the degree, is the assumption on many people's part that you do have the skills, training and temperament (a labeling effect). In many ways, I would far prefer to have Anthropology graduate level training available rather than making Anthropologists available - at least that way it would be in-house.

Truthfully what really needs to happen is have the FAO field broadened to include cultural anthropology as a subfield rather than continuing with strictly an area studies approach. I believe, Marc, that would address your concerns and improve the FAO field with greater grounding in anthropolgy. Now whether Big Green is willing to do that on a sustained basis is a large question; the fact that Dave Kilcullen is an anthropologist should add weight to the idea.

Although I did not address it in posting this, there is also some almost endemic sniping from the CA side of the house. That too has been a problem when reviewing possible fixes. I have seen CA authored studies that push cultural awarness to a degree that is simply not doable. Gratefully this author does make the point (in round about fashion) that the military is already improving in this arena, regardless of the HTT program.

Best

Tom

[marct]

Hi Tom,

Truthfully what really needs to happen is have the FAO field broadened to include cultural anthropology as a subfield rather than continuing with strictly an area studies approach. I believe, Marc, that would address your concerns and improve the FAO field with greater grounding in anthropolgy. Now whether Big Green is willing to do that on a sustained basis is a large question; the fact that Dave Kilcullen is an anthropologist should add weight to the idea.

That would, IMO, certainly be a very good start. I would also like to see much more work done on the Anthropology side as well in the Military Anthropology sub-field. The more I look at the problem, however, the less sanguine I am that it will be institutionally solved in a way that benefits both Anthropology and the military. Maybe it's time to bring back something like the military orders...

[SWCAdmin]

I got this e-mail, arriving in my inbox as if it was sent from me to me, but with a return path nestled within its header. Thanks to Alex for helping me send this to myself.

Greetings--

bill@smallwarsjournal.com thinks this will be of interest to you:

"Montgomery McFate was exceptionally bright and articulate, but with the nervous manner of someone trying to sell a lemon."

http://savageminds.org/2007/11/17/montgomery-mcfate-was-exceptionally-bright-and-articulate-but-with-the-nervous-manner-of-someone-trying-to-sell-a-lemon/

Enjoy.

--
http://savageminds.org

[Beelzebubalicious]

According to the article by Anne Marlowe, in which she likens Dr. McFate to someone selling a lemon, she also states that:

They disparaged the Army’s approach in Afghanistan—where neither one of them has any meaningful experience—in order to market their program.

I find that a bit far-fetched and it's not supported by direct quotations - just her interpretation. I imagine that Dr. McFate might have pointed out that the Army's approach in Afghanistan could benefit from (more) Anthropological knowledge, training and advice and she certainly has been advocating for this. I don't see what's wrong with this. She's not saying there isn't any cultural knowledge or that HTT is supposed to be the source of it all, etc (which is essentially what Marlowe is writing).

Marlowe's piece is another poorly produced and through out piece which an agenda. From what I can see, Marlowe's agenda is show that she's really the expert and knows it all. The whole article is about her...

[SWJED]

My humble response to the Marlowe article.

[Tom Odom]

My humble response to the Marlowe article.

Dave

Great response. You put into words the crux of what was bothering me about the piece.

I still sense a "set up" of a naive observer from CA with criticisms against the HTT concept. Maybe I am reading too much into it but I have seen similar situations, as I know you have.

best
Tom

[wm]

While Marlowe may have been very disappointed in not embedding with a HTT, I do not see what substantive insights a very brief embed with a very new capability would have served her. http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/200...goes-to-war-1/

A potential answer is as follows: If one has an axe to grind about an organization's inability to perform its assigned function, what better way to "prove" that thesis than to join up with the organization while it is still in the throes of organizing itself.

[marct]

Hi Wayne,

A potential answer is as follows: If one has an axe to grind about an organization's inability to perform its assigned function, what better way to "prove" that thesis than to join up with the organization while it is still in the throes of organizing itself.

Good point. At the same time, one has to wonder what the CA people think about the HTTs? Since they operate with an overlap, I suspect that there is some organizational friction involved.

I do find the critique of Montgomery McFate not being an area specialist somewhat moot - in which area and what defines a specialist? Her area, judging from her PhD research (which is always somewhat problematic) is insurgency / counter-insurgency. I also suspect that she has done an immense amount of reading and on the ground work in both Afghanistan and Iraq - certainly more than Anne Marlowe has! Does the fact that she has not published in academic, peer-reviewed journals make her less of a "specialist"?

At the same time, I found Marlowe's work frustrating - just anther example of a frustrated neo-con flailing out upon discovery that the "golden BB" of the HTS wasn't so. I can certainly understand why this happened; the marketing of the HTS as a "system" (i.e. in technological terms) would encourage surface thinkers to equate it with AI Expert Systems, but it is disappointing. All in all, I think that Marlowe's article exemplified just why Anthropologists should be more active in the real world - as a counter to the shallow logorhea that passes for "thought" in some circles if nothing else .

Humans do organize themselves in systems: systems of meaning, systems of kinship, systems of production / consumption / distribution, etc. These systems are, for the most part, homeostatic and subject to chaotic fluctuations (refs available on request ). My perception of what the HTTs are trying to do is to a) figure out what the specific local systems are, b) identify their isomorphic vectors (feedback loops pulling them in certain directions towards catastrophe points), and c) offer suggests on how to steer local systems back towards a homeostatic point that can be called "peace". If Marlowe can't understand this, and it is obvious to me that she doesn't, then she should either a) learn about it or b) keep her mouth shut.

[selil]

Humans do organize themselves in systems: systems of meaning, systems of kinship, systems of production / consumption / distribution, etc. These systems are, for the most part, homeostatic and subject to chaotic fluctuations (refs available on request ).

Common systems analyst joke. "The system ends/fails at the squishy keyboard to chair interface".