Immediately following tragic events of 9-11, STTU was asked to give theater-specific lectures and briefs on Afghanistan and Central Asia to a number of US military groups. Thanks to an interest in that region in the mid-1980s, STTU already had excellent briefs on the Soviet occupation (1979-89), US support of the Mujahideen, and the operational impact of terrain and weather in Afghanistan and the border regions.
Prior to US ground deployment in Afghanistan OS Director Mark Lonsdale gave briefs to components of the US Army Intelligence, USMC Force Recon, US Air Force Para-rescue, and USAF Counter-Intelligence – all of whom found the material relevant, valuable and timely. Mark was then invited to France to lecture at an academic think-tank and to brief the French mountain troops prior to deployment with ISAF.
Operational Studies has since taken control of the STTU research and lectures and continues to develop a broad range of lectures directly related to past and present operations in Afghanistan. These include:
As with operations in Iraq, an increase in insurgency and slow progress with the reconstruction in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by an apparent lack of cultural awareness, language skills, and respect for the Afghan people. While it can be difficult to separate the Taliban insurgents from the innocent civilian population, the heavy handed approach of the military and colateral deaths caused by dropping 2,000-pound bombs on houses and villages alienates the Afghan people, particularly the proud Pashtun tribesmen. In addition, while counter narcotics programs struggle to make headway, the opium production and related corruption has created a raft of problems, especially for the poor farmers caught between a rock and a hard place — grow poppies or die.
As such, it has become equally obvious that for stability and reconstruction projects to move forward, and for counter-insurgency operations to be successful, the occupying force must win the support of the people at both the local and national levels. Winning this support can only begin by a demonstration of respect for the local custom and culture, and a diligent effort to avoid unnecessary deaths and damage.
Operational Studies is tracking the progress in Afghanistan with a serious interest in models for future stabilization operations. OS is also involved in pre-deployment training as it relates to Afghan and Islamic Cultural Sensitivity. Programs include:
For addition information, Operational Studies can be contacted at OPStudies@aol.com
Crime, Corruption & Insurgency in Afghanistan