Success in the Insurgency: The Population
Abstract
As urban areas increase around the world, Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), Counterinsurgency, and Security and Stability Operations (SASO) define modern warfare. Unlike warfare fought with defined lines and enemies during World War II and the Persian Gulf, the current SASO environment and counterinsurgency in Iraq places insurgents who depend on the population to hide their identities against a greater military power: the U.S. military and coalition forces. Defeating a faceless insurgent that manipulates the population makes modern warfare complex. The heart of the insurgency is the population. Therefore, the "central tenet of counterinsurgency: winning the allegiance of the indigenous population" is vital. Technology plays a role within a SASO environment, but augmenting the battlefield with tools that help commanders identify threats and all possible links within the population acts as a combat multiplier of greater value than a laser guided bomb. The relationship matrix and continuum of relative interest assist commanders in isolating insurgents and establish shaping operations that address the real needs of the population: security and normality. Above all, unity of effort among U.S. military and coalition forces provides the population with a seamless effort instead of a framework of contradictions. The seamless effort builds confidence in the population's belief in the U.S. Military and Coalition forces' ability to help them return to normal life. Underestimating these effects could result in parts of the population supporting the insurgents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA505546
Entities
People
- Adisa T. King
Organizations
- Marine Corps University