Air-minded considerations for joint counterinsurgency doctrine

Air & Space Power Journal, Winter, 2007 by Charles J. Dunlap, Jr.

Influence operations must also have positive, accurate messages--what one might call a "compelling counter-narrative." (54) Such a narrative will help separate insurgents from sources of support, an aim of many COIN strategies. (55) In Iraq, this becomes an especially complex task because, as one analyst puts it, there may be as many as four "wars" occurring simultaneously, which may overlap and vary widely. (56) Designing messages and selecting targets for them that would have the effect of disrupting or even severing the insurgents' support are extremely difficult tasks.

One segment, however, cuts across all the groups and sects and might serve as a potential US ally--women, who arguably represent the largest oppressed group in Iraq. (57) Indeed, war widows suffer especially now, and women stand to lose much if extremists take hold. (58) The idea of reaching out to women has resonance in classic COIN theory. David Galula's book Pacification in Algeria, 1956-1958 discusses just such an effort with the subjugated Kabyle women during France's Algerian COIN operation. (59) Furthermore, recent scholarship indicates that the empowerment of women leads to clear economic and political gains, particularly when they assume leadership roles. (60) In today's Algeria, Muslim women are emerging as the nation's "most potent force for social change ... [and are] having a potentially moderating and modernizing influence on society." (61)

Positive messages to women about the value of a democracy that respects individual rights and offers opportunities for participation must be matched with complementary action. One innovative possibility would entail establishing secure compounds explicitly designed to aid women. Among other things, providing a secure environment for women's educational and organizational opportunities could catalyze the process of winning the hearts and minds of a potentially decisive part of Iraqi society.

To be sure, many influential Iraqis oppose women's rights. According to Edward Luttwak, clerics say that women's rights are "only propagandized [by the united States] to persuade Iraqi daughters and wives to dishonor their families by imitating the shameless nakedness and impertinence of Western women." (62) Nevertheless, we may have a real opportunity to reach out to such a substantial portion of the population that could benefit so greatly.

Develop a Truly Joint Approach to Counterinsurgency That Respects the Airman's Expertise

FM 324 / MCWP 3-33.5 also raises the serious and persisting issue of the control of air-power, indicating that the ground commander should exercise that authority. According to Air Force Magazine, FM 324 / MCWP 3-33.5 argues, in effect, "that airpower is best put under control of a tactical ground commander or, at the highest level, the multinational force commander, but not an airman." (63)

It is remarkable that FM324 / MCWP 3-33.5 chooses to resurrect a debate that has been a source of acrimony almost from the beginning of the history of the air weapon. Airmen hold as an article of faith, embedded in doctrine, that "Airmen work for Airmen" so as to preserve the principles of unity of command and simplicity. (64) The air-mindedness of Airmen can ensure that the full capabilities of airpower are brought to bear on the COIN challenge.