Employing Inform and Influence Activities to Neutralize Cross-Border Sanctuaries in Counterinsurgency Operations
Abstract
Fighting an insurgency is a complex undertaking, and the use of cross-border sanctuaries by insurgents is a particularly sinister aspect of counterinsurgency operations. The thesis of this paper is that commanders must better understand and employ Inform and Influence Activities (IIA) to neutralize cross-border sanctuaries. For the counterinsurgency commander it is not only difficult to envision a workable solution to this multifaceted problem, it is often exceedingly difficult to even begin to understand the problem-set itself. The paper will begin by identifying two aspects of this issue that make it difficult for commanders to comprehend the problem of sanctuary neutralization -- namely, the nature of the problem itself and recent changes to doctrine and terminology. The paper then argues that commanders can employ three IIA capabilities to influence targeted audiences in border areas. The commander's goal at this point is to garner the population's support to deny insurgents cross-border passage in these border areas, effectively neutralizing the sanctuaries. The paper concludes by discussing the importance of Measures of Effectiveness to assess the efficacy of these operations, and the importance of nesting IIA into the overall Strategic Communication plan.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA583534
Entities
People
- Jeffrey D. Scaggs
Organizations
- Naval War College