A path to understanding the complexities of counterinsurgency warfare

It is not easy to understand what is occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It is incredibly complex and requires work to understand the foreign cultural and political subtleties that interweave to influence US policies there.  I intentionally avoid the use of simplistic concepts such as “winning” or “losing” when discussing these wars, because after 6 years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan I have yet to hear an intelligent definition of those terms that has remained relevant for more than a few months, before changing conditions on the ground rendered it nonsensical.

Measuring victory or defeat in these conflicts cannot be captured in a network news sound bite or a political platitude, and is certainly not a matter of occupying territory or tallying enemy body counts.  In a universe of clashing cultural values, shifting loyalties, and campaigns where the players are changing on a monthly basis (Is Pakistan our ally this month or not?), even attempting to define what “victory” is at any point is elusive.

"The War on Terrorism," also an increasingly inaccurate phrase badly in need of a replacement, is a conflict where weapons are not the most important tools. Money, modernization, education, public health, and information warfare interweave with religion, political, historical and cultural issues to make our Middle Eastern reconstruction and stability operations akin to building a skyscraper on quicksand – sometimes the quality of the materials you bring with you just doesn’t make a difference when the foundation is too weak.  

The books listed below are those that have impressed me the most in terms of reflecting a sophisticated appreciation and insight into the subtle factors at play in the Middle East that daily impact our operations there.  Regardless of what politicians are saying at any given moment, until this nation is no longer oil dependent, we are going to be engaged militarily and politically in that region for decades.

Accordingly, the choices are to cover one’s eyes and hope it all goes away (a tempting option, with which I sympathize) or to become educated on why our blood and treasure continues to flow into the region.  These resources below will help those who choose the latter course.  I also take the liberty of including a second list of books, which have heavily influenced my own writing.  Feel free to send me additional suggestions for additional books to add, or feedback on those listed, through the “Contact” page of this website.

Recommended Books on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Counterinsurgency Issues

Fiasco, Thomas Ricks (2006). Examination and critique of the Iraq War (2002-2006) and the US Government’s failure to plan for the post-military victory.

The Gamble, Thomas Ricks (2009). The Iraq war and the “Surge” (2006-2008).  How political defeat in Iraq in 2007 was narrowly avoided by adopting counterinsurgency tactics.

Baghdad at Sunrise, COL Peter Monsoor (2009).  Army mistakes and triumphs in Iraq 2003 to present.

Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife, John Nagl (2002).  A study of Western military counterinsurgency tactics.

Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson (2006). How to defeat extremism in the Middle East through education and cultural awareness.

A Bell for Adano, John Hersey (1946). A WWII US soldier's quest in war-torn Italy to restore a town’s beloved symbol (fiction by a WWII veteran author).

Revolt in the Desert, T.E. Lawrence (1926). The military campaigns of Lawrence of Arabia in the Middle East during WWI. Still relevant today.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence (1926) WWI military campaigns in the Middle East against the Turks, with a focus on the Arabs and their culture. Very relevant today.

Torture Team, Philippe Sands (2008),  Study of the Bush Administration policy formulation to use torture against enemy detainees.

The Author’s Literary Influences

The Face of Battle, John Keegan (1976). The modern classic on what it is like to be a soldier in battle, on a personal level, through studies of the battles of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme.

All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Marie Remarque (1929). The horrors of modern warfare in the trenches of WWI.

Catch 22, Joseph Heller (1955). The absurdity and randomness of war captured in the lives of a WWII bomber squadron.

Whistle, James Jones (1978), The experiences of wounded soldiers during the Pacific campaign of WWII, evoking the fear, helplessness, and anger of being a casualty.

In Our Time, Ernest Hemingway (1925), A brief collection of short stories written by Hemingway after his service in WWI, in which he masterfully captures the post-war mood of returning soldiers.

Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut (1969), The life of a WWII American POW who survives the fire-bombing of Dresden.

The Source, James Michener (1965), this historical fiction piece captures the ancient history and cultural influences of the Middle East through stories of the different families who lived for thousands of years on one hill in what is today Israel.