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  1. #1
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    Default Cims

    Cross-posted from the Sanctuary Thread:

    Beetle:

    Major Madera does a great job in providing an overview of CIMS -Civilian Information Managament Systems as:

    demographics, economics, social constructs, political processes, political leaders, civil-military relationships, infrastructure notes, non-state actors in the area of operations, civil defense, public safety and public health capabilities, the environment.31 In short, CIMS capture the sort of information that paints a clear picture of the ecology of insurgency.

    If he were updating this 2006 paper, I would suggest that he add: cadestral/property ownership (What MG Flynn calls out), and the basic topo, soil type and hydro data sets for cursory reconstruction/manuever stuff.

    In Iraq, we used roads and bridges (with identification of the agency responsible for the component-state, provincial, local), ag components (the whole value chain for each applicable sector), reconstruction assets (asphalt & cement plants), major industrial/economic components, and important government activities (schools, clinics)/repair facilities.

    Other special purpose maps "might" have included appointed/elected official's homes (for a variety of reasons).

    Key thing in Iraq and Afghanistan, where UN demographics were used, was to set up shape files for each census boundary, even if political boundaries may have changed since. Important to, is to integrate real time, refugee, and pop displacements best estimates whenever you can suck them in.

    As much as you can get whenever you can get it.

    I'll cross post this on the Fixin's thread.

    Steve

    Citation from SurferBeetle:

    "From a SAM's paper entitled Civil Information Management in Support of Counterinsurgency Operations: A Case for the Use of Geospatial Information Systems in Colombia by Major José M. Madera, United States Army Reserve"

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    Council Member Pete's Avatar
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    Does anyone have an opinion about the appropriateness of CNAS/Foreign Policy magazine as a place for an active duty two-star to publish his article?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    Does anyone have an opinion about the appropriateness of CNAS/Foreign Policy magazine as a place for an active duty two-star to publish his article?
    I don't have a problem with publishing an article, but this wasn't just an article - it was also an order which, to me, is extraordinary.

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    In a strange quirk of fate, somebody on Tom Ricks blog pointed out that MG Flynn's positions on intel were directly parallel to those made by the White House re: CIA.

    So, in September Gen. McCrystal is criticized in the press for appearing to oppose the White House (although that is no longer obvious).

    Now, perhaps by accident/incident, the two elements are in lock-step, and at the same time.

    Isn't that news?

    No chance that it is anything other than compatible, and for all we know, synchronized. If modern war, and especially this one, is a public policy matter, the two are earnestly chasing the same rabbit down the same hole.

    Wired made the interesting comment that laid off journalists ought to be applying for the Stability Ops positions, since: (1.) they are trained as journalists to scurry around and get intel from many obstinant sources; and (2.) most everybody is relying on journalism, vs. intel sources, anyway.

    Toynbee's big point. If a political structure fails to adapt to challenges, it will be bypassed. Darwinian....

    Oh, Brave New World!

    Steve

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    One of the people leaving a comment to Tom Ricks' blog said CNAS is a centrist-Democratic think tank and that putting the article there was like a DoD information operation aimed at gaining support from the Democrats. When I first heard the "Hearts and Minds" expression during the Vietnam War around 1965 it seemed like the addition of an LBJ Great Society program to warmaking.
    Last edited by Pete; 01-07-2010 at 01:43 AM.

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    Default Spooky

    Inteltrooper:

    The risk is that a spook, or quasi-spook, becomes to vaporous.

    Just can't seem to touch the ground.

    Steve

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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve the Planner View Post
    Inteltrooper:

    The risk is that a spook, or quasi-spook, becomes to vaporous.

    Just can't seem to touch the ground.

    Steve
    What about semi-spooks?
    "The status quo is not sustainable. All of DoD needs to be placed in a large bag and thoroughly shaken. Bureaucracy and micromanagement kill."
    -- Ken White


    "With a plan this complex, nothing can go wrong." -- Schmedlap

    "We are unlikely to usefully replicate the insights those unencumbered by a military staff college education might actually have." -- William F. Owen

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    Does anyone have an opinion about the appropriateness of CNAS/Foreign Policy magazine as a place for an active duty two-star to publish his article?
    I think it has the effect of making pseudo-spooks realize that their little world isn't above scrutiny.
    "The status quo is not sustainable. All of DoD needs to be placed in a large bag and thoroughly shaken. Bureaucracy and micromanagement kill."
    -- Ken White


    "With a plan this complex, nothing can go wrong." -- Schmedlap

    "We are unlikely to usefully replicate the insights those unencumbered by a military staff college education might actually have." -- William F. Owen

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