Blogging the McChrystal Review - Changing the Culture Pt 2 Posted by Michael Cohen

Judah Grunstein saves me having to re-type everything in this report by highlighting this damning quote:

ISAF Shortcomings. Afghan social, political, economic and cultural affairs are complex and poorly understood. ISAF does not sufficiently appreciate the dynamics in local communities, nor how the insurgency, corruption, incompetent officials, power-brokers, and criminality all combine to affect the Afghan population. (p. 2-10)

Yikes! Hard to reconcile that, with this:

To succeed, ISAF requires a new approach - with a significant magnitude of change - in addition to a proper level of resourcing. ISAF must restore confidence in the near-term through renewed commitment, intellectual energy, and visible progress. (p. 2-1)

How is that near-term restoration process going to occur if "ISAF does not sufficiently appreciate the dynamics" . . . well you get the idea. This would all sound like an excellent idea if we weren't 8 years into the war in Afghanistan and domestic support for the war didn't stand at less than 40%. McChrystal is laying out a policy prescription that flies directly in the face of public opinion and political realities in every NATO country, including the United States.

One of my biggest complaints with much of COIN doctrine (FM 3-24 is perhaps the best example) is it often seems very much divorced from reality; traveling in an alternate world where domestic political considerations or even easily achievable military goals do not reside. As I've been arguing for a while, trying to do COIN in Afghanistan is the military equivalent of sticking a square peg in a round hole. This report really is at pace with that phenomenon.

Comments

[Joshua Foust]

I agree with you here, big time. "Our biggest problems are economic, social, and political" does not match with "add more troops and STIR."

[lucie lanes]

I don’t know, can he say no to General McChrystal? If he needs to say no, I hope he does, but if he says yes, I hope he does what he needs to for the continued protection of our country and the USA.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[sesli sohbet]

Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading..

[Kodes]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi Hiphop, Gekko G Fan Sitesi Gekko G, Mask animasyon thank you very good site

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, birkin 35cm, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM

[xixihaha]

Women mostly donned cocktail dresses in the evenings to elegant events or special evening events. Although still regarded as formal-wear, several ladies have been using this dress in various ways. Late afternoon and early evening gatherings and events have become ideal venues to wear these dresses. You should select a cocktail dress that appears stylish. You must ensure that it's fashionable and fit for your body type. Don't assume all women could put on every kind of formal dress. A number of dress designs exist to fit every physique. Although a few ladies could pass as a supermodel, most possess a typical shape.These dresses are available in all colors just like pinks, red, black, orange, blue, brown, and so on.The light pink cocktail dresses and black pink cocktail dresses are the most popular cocktail dresses in the trends of 2011.IF you want to dance , i suggest you to choose the short cocktail dresses,like white short cocktail dresses or cute short cocktail dresses ,it is will make you looks stunning in the party that you join in.

These cocktail dresses suit perfectly at weddings, prom, night time party, holiday seasons, etc. No other dress can meet their sophistication and romance. But all depends on your individual style and what expression you want. Provocative look is a trend in fashion that each woman aspires for. To achieve that look, wear your dress appropriately. These complementing and trendy cocktail dresses offer a captivating feel of romance in you. When looking for a formal outfit, women should consider their body type. Get a dress that complements your entire shape. The ideal formal put on will emphasize a girl's figure and move focus on the areas that are most flattering. Displaying some skin at the neckline will draw focus to the bosom. A V-neck or some other plunging neckline is just the ticket. Less coverage at the very top in fact reveals a lot more. This type of gown may be emphasized with a bubbled hemline. Ladies can select from earrings, bracelets, necklaces, chokers, and evening bags. The need for a choker or necklace can be determined by the neckline of the dress. Preferably, a lady should begin with the dress itself to ensure that she is aware of what accents will go perfect with it. Having a few simple accents, any girl can appear stylish in a cocktail dress.