Petraeus Assembles Brain Trust to develop strategy for Afghanistan

[Farnan]

Just like in developing the Iraq strategy, Gen Petraeus assembled a brain trust to figure out Afghanistan. This brain trust is composed of civilians and soldiers from all over the world.

Current known members:

Ahmed Rashid - An expert on the Taliban http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Rashid
Shuja Nawaz - An expert on the Pakistani Military, could be useful in working out a plan to work with the Pakistani Military
Colonel (P) H.R. McMaster - Head of the team, Helped develop US Strategy in Iraq
Clare Lockhart - Former Adviser to UN and NATO http://cddrl.stanford.edu/events/bui...ice_to_theory/
4 Unknown Australians - Hopefully including David Kilcullen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kilcullen

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...67,curpg-1.cms
http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/200...ssessment-tea/
http://www.theage.com.au/world/austr...1107-5k7c.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...1503820&s_pos=

[WrathofTulkas]

Brain Trust... wasnt that FDR xD

[Mikelus Trento]

This is a move in the right direction, but I will be happiest to hear this type of analysis is being done BEFORE the fact.

[Panzerbear]

let me guess, surge #2?

[WrathofTulkas]

let me guess, surge #2?

More or less

[Farnan]

let me guess, surge #2?

There is going to be an increase in troops either way, but the surge is a misnomer for the strategy used in Iraq.

Though there was an increase in troops, it was only to facilitate the real change in strategy which included:

1. An end to the fortress mentality - Previously the US troops would stay on the FOB and only leave to conduct patrols. This meant that they were only in a particular area for a few hours a day at most, which meant they couldn't protect civilians. Because of this few civilians would work with the US since as soon as the patrol left the enemy would kill them. Petraeus moved troops out of the FOB and into Joint Security Stations all through the city. From these location they could protect civilians, and thus many more were willing to work with the US.

2. Working with Tribal Leaders - Previously the US policy was to ignore the Sheiks and only work with the Iraqi government. Petraeus changed this policy and started working with them which resulted in what happened in Anbar and elsewhere.

3. Building the Iraqi Security Forces - Building the Iraqi Security Forces took a much higher priority under Petraeus than previous commanders, and has resulted in a far more loyal and proficient force able to start taking the lead in major operations.

4. Winning Hearts and Minds doesn't mean taking them from bodies - Working on building Iraqi confidence in their government and ending hatred of the US was a much higher priority than killing insurgents under Petraeus. One clear example happened last summer I believe. A US military sniper used a Qu'ran for target practice and the Iraqis found out. The whole US strategy was about to unravel, except for quick action by the US military composed of an immediate apology, buying a new Qu'ran and giving it to the Iraqis in the area, and punishing the soldier publicly and immediately. This was able to satisfy the Iraqis and ended the situation. Compare this to how Abu Ghraib was handled.

5. Reform system for captured Iraqis - The Iraqi prison system went through a major over hall, practices were introduced to give prisoners job training and releasing thousands of them reformed through religious education and the job training. This greatly reduced the strain on the system and resulted in helping lesson the anger from their families.

[danzig]

Man once again if only Petraeus was in charge from the start, the guy seriously deserves every bit of praise he gets for picking apart and solving problems. We should just adopt Kilcullen too and steal him from Australia. Any guy who can say Iraq was "******* stupid" and then go off and help Petraeus develop his solution to the problem deserves alot a slap on the back for job well done. Knowing something was stupid and idiotic to begin with but also realize that what was done was done and then work on how to fix it.

[Mikelus Trento]

Man once again if only Petraeus was in charge from the start, the guy seriously deserves every bit of praise he gets for picking apart and solving problems. We should just adopt Kilcullen too and steal him from Australia. Any guy who can say Iraq was "******* stupid" and then go off and help Petraeus develop his solution to the problem deserves alot a slap on the back for job well done. Knowing something was stupid and idiotic to begin with but also realize that what was done was done and then work on how to fix it.

He has a management style in harmony with a certain new Commander-in-Chief imo.

[Farnan]

He has a management style in harmony with a certain new Commander-in-Chief imo.

Hopefully Obama gives him the support and freedom of action he needs.

[Mikelus Trento]

Obama is intelligent enough to do just that....up to the point that his responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief and President make him decide to do otherwise...imo.

And that's what I believe he told the general when they visited together in Iraq.

It's very evident Obama wants bin Ladin caught and Afghanistan become the focus.

[danzig]

He has a management style in harmony with a certain new Commander-in-Chief imo.

Provided that commander in chief to be listens to what he says and follows it instead of rushing to fulfill a campaign promise that every rational person knows isnt quite so simple.

[NaptownKnight]

Just like in developing the Iraq strategy, Gen Petraeus assembled a brain trust to figure out Afghanistan. This brain trust is composed of civilians and soldiers from all over the world.

Current known members:

Ahmed Rashid - An expert on the Taliban http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Rashid
Shuja Nawaz - An expert on the Pakistani Military, could be useful in working out a plan to work with the Pakistani Military
Colonel (P) H.R. McMaster - Head of the team, Helped develop US Strategy in Iraq
Clare Lockhart - Former Adviser to UN and NATO http://cddrl.stanford.edu/events/bui...ice_to_theory/
4 Unknown Australians - Hopefully including David Kilcullen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kilcullen

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...67,curpg-1.cms
http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/200...ssessment-tea/
http://www.theage.com.au/world/austr...1107-5k7c.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...1503820&s_pos=

Brain trust lol. Who needs a brain trust when he will have 30,000 United States Marines at his disposal? Maybe the Army needs a brain trust, but just point us in the direction of the enemy and we will win this war for you.

[Farnan]

Brain trust lol. Who needs a brain trust when he will have 30,000 United States Marines at his disposal? Maybe the Army needs a brain trust, but just point us in the direction of the enemy and we will win this war for you.

And that kind of attitude put us in the situation we are in now.

Obama is intelligent enough to do just that....up to the point that his responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief and President make him decide to do otherwise...imo.

And that's what I believe he told the general when they visited together in Iraq.

It's very evident Obama wants bin Ladin caught and Afghanistan become the focus.

What is likely to happen regarding Iraq is this:

Obama: I want you to come up with a plan that will allow us to leave Iraq as soon as possible without reversing current progress.
Petraeus: Yes sir (comes up with a plan that doesn't quite fit Obama's schedule, but still fits general plan which Obama hopefully accepts).

Regarding Afghanistan, it'll be pretty obvious he'll have a very near free hand, hopefully Obama supports his advice on diplomatic actions.

[NaptownKnight]

And that kind of attitude put us in the situation we are in now.

Yes, because the United States Marines have been in Afghanistan all this time. Please, we handled Iraq, and now the Army can step out of our way while we handle Afghanistan.

[Farnan]

Yes, because the United States Marines have been in Afghanistan all this time. Please, we handled Iraq, and now the Army can step out of our way while we handle Afghanistan.

Ummm no you didn't.

The US Army along with the US Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy implementing the strategy created by General Petraeus and his brain trust did what they did in Iraq. Along with the militaries of Poland, Georgia, Great Britain, Mongolia, Albania and never forgetting the Iraqi Security Forces.

The post you presented is disgusting and a disgrace to the US Marine Corps.

You don't kill your way out of counter-insurgency wars.

[NaptownKnight]

Ummm no you didn't.

The US Army along with the US Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy implementing the strategy created by General Petraeus and his brain trust did what they did in Iraq.

The post you presented is disgusting and a disgrace to the US Marine Corps.

Well maybe the Army, Air Force, and Navy helped us out, but it's obvious who does most of the work.

This isn't the only time we handle the dirty work, in almost every American war the US Marines have done amazing feats while the Army is pinned down, running away, or just being plain incompetent.

[Last Roman]

Brain trust lol. Who needs a brain trust when he will have 30,000 United States Marines at his disposal? Maybe the Army needs a brain trust, but just point us in the direction of the enemy and we will win this war for you.

winning a war means more than just shooting a place up to hell

wow, they really did brainwash you in there didn't they...

[Rapax]

wow, they really did brainwash you in there didn't they...

I think the first thing Marine recruits learn that Marines are the best and toughest ever, humility is a word they do not know. The ones straight outta Boot are usually the worst in conveying this attitude.
That said though, they just need to fight, not think and I guess that separation works well enough for the US Military.

[Last Roman]

That said though, they just need to fight, not think and I guess that separation works well enough for the US Military.

army guys dont seem that bad though. I mean, just look at Farnan.

[Rapax]

army guys dont seem that bad though. I mean, just look at Farnan.

Well I was talking about Marines.