Afghanistan and U.S. Interests: Kotkin vs Nagl

[Bob's World]

tell your sidekick MAJ Kotkin that I like his article, particularly his distinction between national interests and vital national interests:



Somewhat similar thinking is found in Kilcullen's Chap 5 (of TAG) - turning the elephant back into the mouse.

And, there is no doubt that ...



He did not use the phrase "good governance" once.

Jeremy came back from his War College training all "regimented" so to speak, and I've been working hard to corrupt him, but he holds his ground and thinks well for himself.

Of course, to be fair, the article is about US National interests, and not the nature of insurgency, so he did well not to just sprinkle around buzz phrases that are totally irrelevant simply to impress his boss!