As the complexity of Afghanistan is forcing a relook at the strategy, I think it is time to review our Information Operations (IO) effort.
As with combat, we need to rethink and realign our efforts. I am proposing the following three point strategy:
1. We need to have a strategy that operates at the National level, an effort to move the current government toward legitimacy. This includes the reduction of corruption, a main issue with the rural population.
2. We need to have a strategy that operates at the village/district level, one that is designed to stabilize the rural population and allow redevelopment efforts to bear fruit.
3. We need to have a strategy that operates at the operational level, one designed to target the "Taliban".
This three pronged effort must be synchronized across the spectrum and must move forward quickly or it may be impossible to reverse the tide of events within Afghanistan.
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Ah... you've hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDelete1 - A strategy that works at the national level implies that the US Government has written a 'National Information Strategy'. There are numerous efforts to do this, but none seem to be gaining traction. Years ago I asked a group of senior IO folks what is the US' doctrine for doing IO and they said Joint Pub 3-13. I countered with 'that only applies to the Department of Defense'. Then the State Department wrote the 'National Strategy for Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy', but that is only for State (not really) and only for SC and PD (really). You're right, however, nothing ties them together. The logical place would be at the National Security Council and, perhaps, to create an 'agency' to coordinate the 'national message', but I don't see the call for it - it would languish and die on the vine.
2 - Operational and Tactical... there is an operational effort, but mostly enacted in the classified world, it might not be apparent to the normal bubba except at the COCOM level. The tactical folks use guidance received from higher, but the deconfliction and coordination process needs MAJOR work... granted.
Good job!
Joelhar,
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on to use an over used phrase. Someone needs to step forward and assume some responsibility. I am a BIG believer in the power of information, I just have not seen it demonstrated...
jrd