Multi-National Force-Iraq Commander’s COIN Guidance

[Ron Humphrey]

Seems to me this is easier said than done. How do you promote reconciliation? (I'm not trying to be difficult. I think it's a useful question.)

Promotion of a given objective can take (many) forms and it is often this which those who read that particular line forget.

Now I am trying to be difficult , but I'm going to back up my point by quoting Kilcullen. He uses the term "population control," not serving the population. (Building a fence around Sadr City isn't serving the residents - it's imprisoning them - but it's effective because it controls them.)

The key thing you might consider is if said walls are meant to keep out unwanteds or to keep in residents

Your statement reminds me of trying to compare the Berlin Wall to the fences around our gated neighborhoods

Just a few thoughts...