Frontline in Afghanistan

[MikeF]

The way COIN is supposed to work is first you control the population, then the population tells you where the Taliban and are setting up the ambushes.

I'd submit that this reasoning is akin to your second point.

The guy in the video appears to be doing the equivalent of walking up to a girl and saying, "Why aren't you willing to have sex with me." It takes time, patience, there has to be something in it for her and you need to prove yourself worthy of trust.

If I control the populace, then they'll tell me where the Taliban are setting up ambushes. Or, the girl in the bar will have sex with me b/c I'm a badass Marine. Control doesn't work that way. You gotta have some Mojo- Influence, Persuasion, and sometimes Bribery (If you're into that type of tribe ).

Same bar, same dance, same song.

v/r

Mike