afghanistan: the right way

This is a good example of rational, reasoned, and realistic thinking WRT Tribal Engagement in Afghanistan, emerging (where else) straight from the company level:

The local tribes, all Pashto, include the Mangal, Moqbil, Jaji and Chamkani. Nomadic Kuchi tribes also make regular passages through the area, returning from Pakistan. Each tribe is divided into sub-tribes, all possessing unique cultures, norms and hierarchy of needs. Concepts such as national identity are far outweighed by loyalty to family, clan and tribe. Through the SF detachments’ analysis, it became clear that tactics, techniques and procedures used against a relatively sophisticated and networked adversary were going to need adjusting. Because all the tribes are concerned mostly with providing for their immediate future, successful engagement is simply a matter of making their lives a little better.

...

It appears that the Shkin-area elders are cooperating with the ANSF to improve security, eliminate insurgents and increase the stability of the government, but in reality, the elders have cooperated with the ANSF because it is a formidable force. Tribal elders would rather appease the ANSF and keep them from conducting operations in their villages than facilitate insurgents. In this immediate area, elders refuse to allow insurgent operations, to eliminate the risk of their village being targeted by the ANSF. The relationship between elders and Shkin ANSF works because of the overtly successful counterinsurgency operations of the ANSF rather than because the elders are working toward a unified Afghanistan.

Real, practical, useful insight born of hard-fought experience. This is typical of today's American company level commanders on down. Unfortunately, such thinking must overcome institutional obstacles to find a voice. If your plan works but doesn't make rank, your plan is not going to enjoy wide-scale realization.

"This younger generation is much more involved in fighting, have more influence, but the political leadership still belongs to Mullah Omar; and the older generation are active, but underground I think this younger generation have much more to say, and have become much more brutal."

A stark reminder that insurgencies have a much more darwinian incentives system in place.