Quote Originally Posted by Bob's World View Post
I believe the essence of our disagreement is that it appears that your position is that when that phase three operation is knocked back to phase 2 or even phase 1 operations the insurgency is defeated. My position is that the insurgency is not defeated under the underlying causes are addressed so that the populace lacks the causation to continue the fight. To, in effect, disempower Mr. Mao or Mr. Ho or whoever else might come along, with whatever ideology they might choose to use.
....and I agree. If the bad guy keeps getting knocked back to phase 1 or 2, he is not making progress. He may give up. He may have his will to continue, broken. That is all military force can do.

After that it is back to Politics! - and that is when the social/welfare work begins, BUT - that is nothing to do with the military. They've done their bit.

COIN is military. Social equality, welfare and human rights are not Military activities.