Does Everyone Hear That Sound . . . Posted by Michael Cohen

 . . . it's just me repeatedly banging my head against a wall after reading this:

Nearly a decade after the United States began to focus its military training and equipment purchases almost exclusively on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. military strategists are quietly shifting gears, saying that large-scale counterinsurgency efforts cost too much and last too long.

The domestic economic crisis and the Obama administration's commitment to withdraw from Iraq and begin drawing down in Afghanistan next year are factors in the change. The biggest spur, however, is a growing recognition that large-scale counterinsurgency battles have high casualty rates for troops and civilians, eat up equipment that must be replaced and rarely end in clear victory or defeat.

In addition, military thinkers say such wars have put the U.S.'s technologically advanced ground forces on the defensive while less sophisticated insurgent forces are able to remain on the offensive.

I would just like to point out that this is precisely the argument I was making last March and April as to why COIN in general - and COIN in Afghanistan - were such bad ideas:

The enshrining of counter-insurgency doctrine presupposes that these types of conflicts will be “the face of battle in the 21st century.” I find this very hard to swallow. Not only is there a lack of political will in the US to engage in the sort of long-term counter-insurgency that we fought in Iraq, but I'm not so sure why we would want our military to engage in this type of conflict. If the Iraq War has shown us anything it is that counter-insurgency is not the most effective type of war for the US military to be fighting - and that the benefits that might be gleaned from such a conflict would be more than outweighed by the costs. Now some might argue that we have no choice but to fight such a conflict; that it will be forced upon us. My response is poppycock. The only reason the US would fight a counter-insurgency is if we choose to; and that's a choice we simply should not make because in part, it is difficult to contemplate any sort of protracted counter-insurgency that will further US interests.

But if you think I'm going to stop banging my head against a wall over this article. . . think again:

Counterinsurgency "is a good way to get out of a situation gone bad," but it's not the best way to use combat forces, said Andrew Exum, a fellow with the Washington-based Center for a New American Security. "I think everyone realizes counterinsurgency is a losing proposition for U.S. combat troops. I can't imagine anyone would opt for this option."

UGH!! Ignoring the fact that "COIN is good way to get America out of bad situations" is a deeply dubious statement . . . here we are in Afghanistan doing the exact thing that Andrew can't imagine anyone would opt for. And he was on the review team that recommended to the President he had only one option for turning the situation around in Afghanistan - population centric COIN!

I have said this once and I will say it again; if everyone thinks that COIN is a losing proposition and is such a bad idea . . . could EVERYONE PLEASE SAY IT . . . RIGHT NOW . . . AS WE ARE WAGING A COIN FIGHT IN AFGHANISTAN.

Now excuse me while I go back to banging my head against a wall.

Comments

[Sigaradan BIKTIM Tozu]

thanks very

[Don Bacon]

The whole military institution is threatened by COIN.

Why have tanks and an armor school that preaches firepower and shock action at a time when the Pentagon speaks about giving medals for not shooting? The same with artillery and battle ships and fighter aircraft and platoons and ten different officer ranks and war colleges etc. etc. -- all threatened by a COIN-oriented military that would be be dedicated to building schools and helping little old ladies cross the street instead of blowing stuff up and killing people against a similarly-organized military force.

[m3 zero]

Counterinsurgency is a good way to get out of a situation gone bad that's right but not every time. Very nice article, today in every country peace is very important. And this type of article is very useful.

[wholesale jordan shoes]

It was a big week for LeBron James; he grabbed himself a second MVP trophy and the Cavs moved on to the next round of the Playoffs. We saw a bunch of LeBrons, like the MVP Air Max LeBron VII, an unreleased LeBron VII P.S., and another sneak peek at his eighth shoe. LeBron’s upcoming shoe wasn’t the only preview we got, as a sample of the Jordan Melo M7 made its way to the public. Speaking of being in public, even more notable celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Mick Jagger, C.C. Sabathia, and Nelly came out with some heat of their own, while the Sneaker Friends 2010 Event in the ATL really burned a hole in our eyes. We also received a ton of glimpses at upcoming releases, from more Air Attacks, 90’s Retros, and classic silhouettes for Fall 2010. We were also hit with a big-picture news story, as Nike took personal action against counterfeit sellers and later announced the plans for the company’s future during their 2015 Global ,welcome to http://www.wikishoes.com

[shox R4]

New Balance is no stranger to military-themed collaborations. In fact, one of their hottest Japan-exclusives from last year was the ‘Full Metallic Jacket Pack’ that brought Stussy and (mad)hectic together with NB’s tag-team partner on the above pictured pair. This new UNDEFEATED x New Balance 1500 ‘Operation Desert Storm’ is hotter than a cruise missile impact thanks to a very impressive tonal brown suede colorway with *just* enough red, white and blue hits. These joints just touched down with three different lace choices and a camo cinch bag at select New Balance retailers including Caliroots’
Welcome to our website http://www.shoesmaps.com

[Abercrombie And Fitch Polos]

An individual human existence should be like a river—small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls. Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being.

[monday]

M4V to WMV Converter is a three-in-one software which can be used as a video converter, audio converter, and DRM Remover. To pay for one software, you will get three functional tools.m4v to wmv converter
dv converter.blu ray to mkv.

[movado watches]

Both national security experts and military leaders support your commitment to this issue and your policy of engagement Mr. President. Now is the time to define and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a matter of American national security.

[anbohan]

As the old saying goes, each has his favorite taste about dressing and wearing. I like and links of London rings links of london since I was a little boy. When I was a junior high school student, my classmate wore a watch and was links of london jewellery bought from links of london UK.Which made me, not only me also the whole of my class, admire very much. After school, I went to the links of london jewellery store by my bike. What a big surprise, so many styles offer me to choose. Several days later, when my links of london charms parents are in good mood, I beg them for a watch. They can not endure me any more and finally give in.

[sesli sohbet]

The same with artillery and battle ships and fighter aircraft and platoons and ten different officer ranks and war colleges etc.
seslichat

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

seslisohbet siteleri arasında ekol bir adres sestonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin sestonum 'tıklayınız..! seslisohbet ve seslichat adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak seslisohbet yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

sestonum
seslichat
seslisohbet

[QodesQoM]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi Hiphop, Gekko G Fan Sitesi Gekko G, Mask animasyon

[küçük sırlar son bölüm izle]

Merhaba serdar ortaç dinle çok iyidir bunun dışında volkan konak dinle de yine öyle birde ne vardı heh mustafa ceceli dinle ve bitirirken ismail yk şarkıları kesin dinleyin.ve unutmadan küçük sırlar son bölüm izle dizisi süper.metro turizm bilet fiyatları ve 10.sınıf coğrafya kitabı cevapları iyidir.

[FFXIV Gil]

The New York Times reports today that a group of students calling themselves FFXIV Gil
University, is actively engaged in a protest against shoddy teaching stan
Final Fantasy XIV Gil
The dean's office has distributed a brochure entitled
Buy FFXIV Gil
saying: "The quality of the education has become so low that it has become terrible. For the last two years
Cheap FFXIV Gil
imagine how students are living at more mediocre schools? It really gives the lie to the idea that Russia
Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil
growth due to energy prices. And can you imagine Russia's reaction if an Harvard professor were found
FFXIV Gil

The contact information is given for the students at the link for their manifesto
Final Fantasy XIV Gil
grass-roots demcratic campaign. Efforts like this are so dangerous in Russia
AIKA Gold
Here is an amusing YouTube purportedly made by an MGU student about the school's many unique features:

Buy aika gold
clearly been successful in getting their story into the national press, and
Cheap aika gold
"Protocols of the Elders of Zion" as a reliable source.

[Best Replica Watches]

Good blog, where it taught me a lot! Thank you! The hope of improving the content!

[gucci mens belts cheap]

dressing and wearing. I like and links of London rings links of london since I was a little boy. When I was a junior high school student, my classmate wore a watch and was links of london jewellery bought from links of london UK.Which made

[designer handbags on sale]

e following a similar logic to Feaver's own argument about the necessity of trying diplomacy first. In order to get to sanctions -- and the international supported needed to enact them -- they had to test Iran's sincerity first.

[dada]

Counterinsurgency is a good way to get out of a situation gone bad that's right but not every time. Very nice article, today in every country peace is very important. And this type of article is very useful.

[designer handbags]

I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier. I am still contemplating over the opposite points of view, but I'm tipped heavily toward yours. And no matter, that's what is so great about modernized democracy and the marketplace of thoughts on-line.

[ugg boots clearance]

Who doesn’t want to ugg boots clearance have a good future? It’s something everyone desires. But, for that, you must first accept that your future is your responsibility. The one who determines whether or not you have a good future is you ugg boots outlet. Don’t expect the circumstances or someone else to take care of it for you. It’s you who must take action ugg boots clearance.

With that understood, what should we do to have a good future ugg boots clearance?

I believe that one important thing you should do is investing in your future. Investing in your future means making some sacrifices in the present to reap rewards later ugg boots clearance. It means investing your time and money in something that might not give you immediate return, but which could give you tremendous value later. It also means preparing for the uncertainties of the future ugg boots clearance.

Sadly, many people don’t do it ugg boots clearance. They only think about the present. Therefore, when something unexpected happens, they aren’t ready and get into a difficult situation. For example, many people just do the same job with the same skills all the time. They don’t improve themselves and prepare for future changes. They neither learn new skills nor expand their knowledge. Then, when the situation changes, their skills are no longer relevant and they lose their job ugg boots outlet.

[ugg boots clearance]

Wili had learned enough now to see that these were not nearly as simple as making local calls. Communication between towns along the coast was trivial over the fiber, where almost any bandwidth could be accommodated. For longer distances, such as from Naismith's palace to the coast, it was still relatively easy to have video communication: The coherent radiators on the roof could put out microwave and infrared beams in any direction. On a clear day, when the IR radiator could be used, it was almost as good as a fiber (even with all the tricks Naismith used to disguise their location). But for talking around the curve of the Earth, across forests and rivers where no fiber had been strung and no line of sight existed, it was a different story: Naismith used what he called "short-waves" (which were really in the one- to ten meter range). These were quite unsuitable ugg boots clearance for high-fidelity communication. To transmit video-even the wavery blackand-white flat pictures Naismith used in his transcontinental calls - took incredibly clever coding schemes and some realtime adaptation to changing conditions in the upper atmosphere.
The people at the other end brought Naismith problems, and he came back with answers. Not immediately, of course; it often took him weeks, but he eventually thought of something. At least the people at the other end seemed happy. Though it was still unclear to Wili how gratitude on the other side of the continent could help Naismith, he was beginning to understand what had paid for the palace and how Naismith could afford full-scale holo projectors. It was one of these ugg boots clearance problems that Naismith turned over to his apprentice. If he succeeded, they might actually be able to steal pictures off the Authority's snooper satellites.

[ugg boots clearance]

By this point,you may have wondered if this book addresses advanced selling skills.Legitimate question.Let me answer it this way: I recently worked with a client who was rather insistent on finding
an advanced selling skills seminar.During our discussion, I suggested that success in a sales call is directly linked to performing the basics well.We have all heard about professional sports teams recovering from a slump by going back to basics.The basics never fail us. Strive for brilliance at the basics.I responded to my client by telling her there is no such thing as an advanced customer. In my years of sales experience,I have never heard of anyone referred to as such—tough maybe,but not advanced.I recognize that this is a new concept, but I feel that customers simply represent a variety of positions,some more senior than others.Regardless of their position, all customers have universal agendas, such as ugg boots outlet"why should I buy from you?how are you going to help my business?what's in it for me?"
These questions are common denominators to every sales call. Advanced selling is simply a matter of understanding and applying the Sequential Model,coupled with having a positive attitude and the
confidence to pursue a dialogue with fellow human beings, regardless of their position or experience.My client accepted the analogy, and I proceeded to design a sales course using basic sales techniques
that met her training objectives. Consider this: The Carnegie Foundation did a study and discovered that only 20% of a person's sales success comes from product knowledge.It's not just what you know about your product but,more importantly,it's how you present yourself. This report went on to suggest that up to 80% of success in
sales (and life) is determined by a combination of self-management skills and interpersonal skills.Other organizations also support these findings.Think about it.As a consumer,when was the last time
you purchased ugg boots clearance from someone you didn't like? Not very often. You probably took your business and your bag of money elsewhere.

[white iphone 4]

I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier. I am still contemplating over the opposite points of view, but I'm tipped heavily toward yours. And no matter, that's what is so great about modernized democracy and the marketplace of thoughts on-line.

[white iphone 4]

White iphone 4 Conversion Kit with impressive figure can easily be the focus of the crowd. I really want to get one!

[white iphone 4]

I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier. I am still contemplating over the opposite points of view, but I'm tipped heavily toward yours. And no matter, that's what is so great about modernized democracy and the marketplace of thoughts on-line.

[iphone case shop]

Grande article! J'aime votre blog! Je l'ai signet

[moliva]

An individual human existence should be like a river—small at first, narrowly contained within orjin kremits banks, and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls. Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being

[emotions]

Nearly a decade after the United States began to focus its military training and equipment purchases almost exclusively on
แทงบอล
sbobet
ibcbet
แทงบอล
แทงบอลออนไลน์
sbobet
sbo

[foopa]

Thanks for your sharing,it helps me more.I will look forward to your more wonderfull articles.Have a good time. เช่าคอนโด คอนโด ขายคอนโด ซื้อคอนโด

[ชั้นวางสินค้า]

It may be helpful to me. thank you for sharing.

สายพานลำเลียง|คลังสินค้า|racking|คอนเวเยอร์

[sigara bırakma tozu]

Thanks for your sharing !

[Venapro hemorrhoids treatment]

Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice evening! If you have time, please give me a few seconds by visiting my website at where to buy venapro. The average sailor spends anywhere from a few weeks to several months on the Reagan without setting foot on land. This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet.

[emotions]

corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and sufferin
แทงบอล
sbobet
ibcbet
แทงบอล
แทงบอลออนไลน์
sbobet

[Dog bark collars]

Thanks for the article. This keeps me informed about the topic. Learn more about citronella bark collar citronella anti bark collar premier citronella anti bark collar. It means investing your time and money in something that might not give you immediate return, but which could give you tremendous value later. It also means preparing for the uncertainties of the future. This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet.

[moony]

Wow!!! That's a good idea and I very like it! Thank for your sharing for us. ปลวก กำจัดปลวก ปลวกขึ้นบ้าน

[Digital Converter Box]

Ah! This is great. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[Penis Enlargement]

These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post

[tütüne son]

Ah! This is great. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[Martin]

Counterinsurgency is a good way to get out of a situation gone bad that's right but not every time. Very nice article, today in every country peace is very important. And this type of article is very useful.Martin Schulz

[bitkisel]

These kind of post bitki haberare always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post,bitkisel haber writing is simply great, thank you for the postbitki

[knockoff handbags]

hahaha,,,it is a good article.

[altın çilek]

Lezzetli ve egzotik bir meyve olan altın çilek sağlık açısından ve tıbbi açıdan çok fazla faydaya sahiptir.
Son dönemin en ilgi çeken besinlerinden birisi olan altın çilek kilo vermek isteyenlerin gözdesi olmuştur.altın çilek form seti
Yüksek lifli özelliğiyle olan meyvesir.altın çilek faydaları

Altın Çilek Dünyanın en zengin lif oranına sahip olan meyvesi olduğunu bilinmektedir.altın çilek
Altın Çilek denilince birden fazla yararları olan bir meyve oldugu bilinmektedir.

[edi software]

War itself is the problem, but it's a good tool to keep gas prices high right?
gateway edi
what is edi

[sbobet]

sbobet
sbo
แทงบอล

[Nike Shox R2 Women 2011]

h:I’ve got a simple answer for you..Yes. With a corporate run government we will slowly see a reduction in the allowance for mediums like the internet which promote free speech.
http://www.nikeshoxoutlet.net

[www.oynaoyunu.com]

Brilliant blog. I found your post very interesting, I think is a brilliant writer. oyunlar I added your blog to my favorites and oyunwill return in the future.

parabenoyunlarıs por mais esse tente sistemleri post

[Pembe Maske]

Brilliant blog. I found your post very interesting, I think is a brilliant writer. Revivaly Pembe Maske I added your blog to my favorites and maskewill return in the future.

parabenPembe Maske kullanımıs por mais esse Revivaly Pembe Maske Set post

[Amit Mangal]

Its Pleasure to understand your blog.The above articles is pretty extraordinary, and I really enjoyed reading your blog and points that you expressed. I really like to appear back over a typical basis,post a lot more within the topic.Thanks for sharing…keep writing!!!
Hotels In Lisbon

[พัดพลาสติก]

Thank you for Sharing good content.

ทัวร์เกาหลี|ทัวร์ฮ่องกง|ทัวร์ยุโรป|เครื่องเชื่อม

[pembe maske]

This is one of the good articles you can find in the net
explaining everything in detail regarding the topic.revivaly pembe maske I thank
you for taking your time sharing your thoughts and ideas to a
lot of readers out there.

[Oakley Sunglasses]

The blog article very surprised to me! Your writing is good. In this I learned a lot! Thank you!

[SBOBET]

This is the most smashing trick I’ve come across ever! Thanks a lot for sharing.
SBOBET

[Ohmz]

The whole military institution is threatened by COIN.
deanisgay.com
devolaoh.com
diyineurope.com
djanson.com
dnagda.com

[SBOBET]

These are wonderful! Thank you for sharing

SBOBET

[pandora jewellery]

I recieved an email of some pictures of some really neat looking cofee art in vancouver. I wanted to know where in vancouver I could see it being done the email didnt say where the location of the restuarant was.

[เครื่องเชื่อมเครื่องปั่นไฟLED]

Awesome!!
Thank you for Sharing good content.

[knockoff handbags]

Its interesting. I would like to know more about this…I really wanted to know how this works can you please help me out…….Thanks for sharing. mgthnyt

[poker spelregels]

Great artical, I unfortunately had some problems printing this artcle out, The print formating looks a little screwed over, something you might want to look into

[donghanjin]

90th anniversary of the establishment of the Gucci brand

[wholesale handbags]

Its interesting. I would like to know more about this…I really wanted to know how this works can you please help me out…….Thanks for sharing fw

[wholesale handbags]

Great artical, I unfortunately had some problems printing this artcle out, The print formating looks a little screwed over, something you might want to look into...jnfinengingnng

[คอนโด]

This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet. คอนโด ขายคอนโด ซื้อคอนโด

[wholesale designer handbags]

Congratulations all of you! Wow! That was a FAST six months! I've been following, reading and admiring your journey. Amazing stuff! Go do great things

[ugg boots]

lean sexy muscles and does not add bulk to a woman's frame and also would keep a man in excellent shape, or help him get there. This is a workout for both sexes!

[gucci hat]

lean sexy muscles and does not add bulk to a woman's frame and also would keep a man in excellent shape, or help him get there. This is a workout for both sexes!very nice.heh

[new era hats]

Good work! Thanks for these kinds of interesting article as I have been able to find here. I agree with most of whats written right here.

[Cheap Coach Outlet]

Now life is not the same as before, and now a lot more constraints, is not not talk to their parents home a baby, is not married daughter spilled water, I do not think so.

[Cheap Handbags Outlet]

Wow, congrats! I remember when Seth hatched the idea of the program and now to see folks graduating from it is a huge accomplishment and a testament to education innovation!

[Cheap Handbags]

Great artical, I unfortunately had some problems printing this artcle out, The print formating looks a little screwed over, something you might want to look into

[r4i]

Good work! Thanks for these kinds of interesting article as I have been able to find here. I agree with most of whats written right here. Its interesting. I would like to know more about this…I really wanted to know how this works can you please help me out.

[r4 cards]

This is such an awesome blog which include very informative and totally new information which people haven't got from anywhere else.

[LED]

The blog article very surprised to me!

[Afrika Mangosu]

Wow, Great post,Nice work, I would like tütüne son to read your blog every day As long Balderesi as our government yemek tarifi do the best, manzaralar I think we must appreciate them. nanomatik Its not easy to rule a country. moliva You don’t know bout that coz you orjin krem too busy to say some critics. formula 21 You should want and klavis panax see what happen. Zayıflama Thanks

[ปั๊มน้ำ]

I really like to appear back over a typical basis,post a lot more within the topic.Thanks for sharing…keep writing!!!

[เครื่องเชื่อม]

I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read earlier

[replica handbags]

This is a wonderful site! I’ve been looking for something like this
for a while now! Thank you!

[my slimmer]

I’ve been looking for something like this! Thanks for sharing this great gülhatmi balı tool!