Is the Military the only Option?

In the past posts, I've laid out my strategy for "diminishing warfare," and now the question is (especially in light of POTUS' decision to send more troops to Afghanistan), "Is the military the right implement for this strategy?" Well, yes and no...

The military may not be the best instrument to engage the problem of underlying conditions in a specific location or situation. In other cases, it may be the only means available, or a required operational element, because of the specialties and assets we bring to the environment, such as our abilities to deploy globally and operate in austere and/or hostile conditions. To ensure that we are ready to provide the National Command Authority the necessary capabilities to “engage the base,” we must:

1. Concentrate on strengthening and improving key relevant competencies such as IO, Joint and Interagency Integration, and Civil Affairs. Coordination with US and foreign government agencies, NGOs and PVOS, combined with coherent and effective IO, is critical to our abilities to operate on the “diminishing” front.

2. Recognize Our Diverse, but Limited Roles in DIME. We must emphasize to all of our forces, from flag officers down to E-1’s, that an American overseas in uniform is always, at least to some extent, a representative of the diplomatic and informational (and often economic) instruments of US power. To capitalize on these roles and opportunities, we must educate our service personnel about host cultures; national strategic, operational, and tactical objectives; and key messages we wish to convey in the region.

3. Listen and Observe at All Levels. Because of the environments and relationships in which we work, military personnel at all levels often are privy to intentional or unintentional communications, signals, or other information that could be vital to our efforts. The importance of listening, observing, and reporting must be stressed from the COCOM, who often has access to the highest levels with regional and national leadership, down to the soldier who interacts on a daily basis with local citizens.

Obviously, we must continue to stand in the forefront of our nation’s efforts to destroy and defend, as well as serving a large role in “deny.” However, we must also recognize that both the nature of the threat and the environment in which we engage it has changed significantly, and that “diminishing” – engaging the underlying conditions that spawn terrorist organizations – is essential to winning the GWOT.

What do you think? Please feel free to post comments below - I don't bite!