This essay explores village stability operations (VSO) in Afghanistan as an "innovative, low-cost, and small footprint" method of achieving U.S. security objectives. New strategic guidance from the Department of Defense (DoD) calls for such...
The militant Lebanese Shia Group Hezbollah (Party of God) has evolved into the largest and most professional terrorist groups in the Middle East. The political wing has been successful at placing several representatives in the Lebanese Parliament...
The response of U.S. foreign policy to the volatile rise of global jihadism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks has been sweeping and multifaceted. One key pillar of U.S. strategic response has been the active promotion of Western representative...
This newsletter provides information on the basics of the Afghan culture and how Soldiers should apply this information while living and working
with the Afghans. The key points covered in this newsletter are: 1.) Effects of Afghan culture on...
Partnership for the Americas: the human rights initiative. Admiral Jim Stavridis, U. S. Navy; Alexander T. Roney; and Leana Bresnahan; USSOUTHCOM is the only combatant command with a separate office charged to monitor and coordinate human rights...
After the events of the 11 September 2001 and the advent of the War on Terrorism focused mainly against Al-Qaeda, interest in studying the Islamic groups has increased. Such enquiries can have a huge impact on both the Muslim World as well as the...
With combat formations schedule to begin drawing down in July 2011 and the role of US forces in Iraq already shifting away from the lead, the future of these two nations will grow increasingly dependent upon the indigenous security forces and the...
Since the death of the Prophet Mohammad sectarian violence has existed in the Middle East. This monograph details the history of the Sunni - Shia split and explains the origins of the violence still present today. This conflict presents...
This paper argues that the development and implementation of a counter-insurgency strategy that fully integrates all elements of national power is critical to success in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The paper discusses the flaws in declaring...
This newsletter contains a collection of previously published articles that focus on Afghan culture and provides insight into effectively communicating with Afghans in order to achieve positive results. More specifically, the articles contained in...
A radical Islamic insurgency named Alshabab has appeared in Somalia in recent years. African Union forces, with the support of the international community are actively engaged to defeat this movement. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),...
This monograph develops an alternative approach to counterinsurgency, and explains how the current narratives in the field of counterinsurgency are not completely accurate. Counterinsurgents only need to properly understand the environment and then...
Planificación Integrada: El proceso de operaciones, el diseño y el proceso militar de toma de decisiones. Coronel Wayne W. Grigsby, hijo, Ejército de EUA; Dr. Scott Gorman; Coronel Jack Marr, Ejército de EUA; Teniente Coronel Joseph McLamb,...
Just War Theory and Democratization by Force: Two Incompatible Agendas. Cora Sol Goldstein, Ph.D.; Is the doctrine of minimum collateral damage compatible with a strategy of democratization by force?
Conducting an effective counterinsurgency operation in the country of Afghanistan is paramount to the success of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). Until recently, military operations have been led and conducted mainly...
This monograph investigates culture and society in Afghanistan and recommends an operational approach leveraging a blend of formal and traditional institutions, working with the propensity of the Afghan system, and building capacity and legitimacy...
This monograph examines alternative approaches to U.S. COIN operations in the eastern Pashtun tribal areas in Afghanistan that are sensitive to and inclusive of the key elements of the Pashtun code of Pashtunwali. The author reviews Pashtuns and...
O Talibã: uma análise organizacional. Major Shahid Afsar, Exército do Paquistão; Major Chris Samples, Exército dos EUA; e Major Thomas Wood, Exército dos EUA; Uma das imagens mais bem reconhecidas dos tempos atuais é aquela de aviões...
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Combat Studies Institute.
This study offers an objective narrative of the events surrounding the Battle of Wanat. Army historians recognized the need to better understand the Battle of Wanat and ensure those who followed learned from the experiences of the courageous...
During the July 2005 battle of Siah Chow - an intense, daylong, small-unit fight waged by elements of 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group against Taliban forces in Afghanistan's Uruzgan Province - Major Chris Hensley served as the Bravo Company...