foreign internal defense

The Afghan Air Force: A Harsh Lesson in the Expensive Game of Airpower Reconstruction

Riley.C.Murray — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 07:36:30 +0000

The Afghan Air Force: A Harsh Lesson in the Expensive Game of Airpower Reconstruction Riley.C.Murray Sun, 10/10/2021 - 3:36am

“Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence.”[1] British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, recognized the value of airpower as early as 1933 during the rise of Adolf Hitler, and his words hold to this day. The United States spent sixteen of the last twenty years and precious resources attempting to rebuild the Afghan Air Force (AAF) into a viable, self-sustaining military aviation component capable of supporting the democratically-elected Afghan government. The withdrawal of U.S. and Coalition forces in August of 2021, and the embarrassingly swift takeover by the Taliban, have left the AAF in shambles. Many pilots fled with their aircraft to neighboring countries, where their fate remains uncertain, while the rest are now in Taliban hands.

Taking a Bite out of the Elephant: How to Improve Security Cooperation

Riley.C.Murray — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:50:08 +0000

Taking a Bite out of the Elephant: How to Improve Security Cooperation Riley.C.Murray Sat, 07/17/2021 - 2:50pm

It is difficult to ascertain if a security cooperation initiative is effective or not. This could be in part because most of the indicators of success used by security cooperation stakeholders may not be focused on measures of effectiveness, but of performance, i.e., quantity of equipment delivered and number of units trained. As one begins to peel back the layers of an initiative, it becomes apparent that the necessary in-depth analysis which forecasts secondary and tertiary orders of effect may have been overlooked, along with critical, measurable metrics that explain how an initiative would specifically elicit a proposed reaction. The example utilized by Maj Croshier described the unanticipated difficulties of providing a C-208 fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft and Command and Control (C2) equipment to Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The focus of this initiative was placed mainly on the equipment, without fully accounting for the significant personnel, doctrinal, and maintenance challenges that would ensue.

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger

Riley.C.Murray — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:53:19 +0000

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger Riley.C.Murray Sat, 05/29/2021 - 11:53am

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger

By Pierre Jean Deheane

Introduction

AvFID: Achieving the Peace in Colombia Through Aviation Foreign Internal Defense

SWJED — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:16:26 +0000

AvFID: Achieving the Peace in Colombia Through Aviation Foreign Internal Defense SWJED Mon, 04/15/2019 - 9:16am

This article is informed by the author’s experience adapting his previous fieldwork studying counterinsurgency in Colombia into lecture content for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School’s Contemporary Irregular Warfare Course.

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A Governance Advising Framework for the Security Force Assistance Brigade

SWJED — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 19:30:35 +0000

A Governance Advising Framework for the Security Force Assistance Brigade SWJED Sat, 11/18/2017 - 2:30pm

Responding to the crisis of ineffective governance will require governance advising during all phases of military operations. We describe here the potential role of the SFAB in such a response.

SOF, COIN, and the Question of Host Nation Viability: An Interview with Dick Couch

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:30:00 +0000

SOF, COIN, and the Question of Host Nation Viability: An Interview with Dick Couch Peter J. Munson Mon, 07/01/2013 - 3:30am

As Iraq appears to unravel, it is only right to continue the debate about counterinsurgency, the appropriate application of landpower, and the expanding role of Special Operations in the US military.

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So, You’re Going to be an Advisor?

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:25:00 +0000

So, You’re Going to be an Advisor? Peter J. Munson Wed, 04/24/2013 - 3:25am

Ten easy to follow recommendations to help you become an effective military advisor.

Village Stability Operations: An Historical Perspective from Vietnam to Afghanistan

Peter J. Munson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Village Stability Operations: An Historical Perspective from Vietnam to Afghanistan Peter J. Munson Thu, 03/28/2013 - 3:30am

The Civilian Irregular Defense Group was one of Special Forces’ greatest success stories and by far the greatest example of how to fight unconventional warfare with an economy of force approach.

VSO versus DSO

Peter J. Munson — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:25:00 +0000

VSO versus DSO Peter J. Munson Tue, 03/19/2013 - 3:25am

Do the terrain and the friendly and enemy situations allow stability operations at the village or district level?

Supporting Rebels: Three Conditions for Success

Peter J. Munson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Supporting Rebels: Three Conditions for Success Peter J. Munson Thu, 02/28/2013 - 3:30am

Under certain conditions, supporting rebels can achieve strategic objectives without causing instability or humanitarian catastrophe.