The Economics of Roadside Bombs

[Stan]

I find it hard to believe that the insurgents have really placed IEDs everywhere they can. First of all, the number of IEDs observed has varied drastically over time -- are they finding new places to put them? Second, why not just place more IEDs near each other and give EOD more work to do?

Matt, I believe that stating 'placed everywhere they can' translates to 'their' capabilities, not physical locations available. It can, and probably does also mean we have not discovered all of the IED placements (some of our common fallacies were our daily routines. Changing those also reduced IED discoveries/incidences that can not be easily recorded as the IEDs could very well still be out there). 'Where they can' also translates to not being observed during placements. Far too many variables.

I think it's more likely that at some point, putting more IEDs in the ground is just not all that worthwhile (which I think is very close to what you are saying). Are you really getting a whole bunch more bang for your buck by daisy-chaining a seventh IED into a string of six? It'd probably be better to use those resources for some other activity.

If we look at most of the recorded criminal-related IED incidences around the world, more often than not, there are at least two IEDs; a guaranteed or clear escape route if you will. Second or consecutive IEDs are indeed 'more bang for your buck', and could be specifically intended for EOD personnel (after all, we are decreasing IED effectiveness.).