In the January-February 2006 issue of Military Review, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus published a critique of the U.S. Army's strategy in Iraq. Here, an excerpt from the report, "Learning Counterinsurgency: Observations from Soldiering in Iraq:"
Observations from Soldiering in Iraq
1. Do not try to do too much with your own hands.
2. Act quickly, because every Army of liberation has a half-life.
3. Money is ammunition.
4. Increasing the number of stakeholders is critical to success.
5. Analyze "costs and benefits" before each operation.
6. Intelligence is the key to success.
7. Everyone must do nation-building.
8. Help build institutions, not just units.
9. Cultural awareness is a force multiplier.
10. Success in counterinsurgency requires more than just military operations.
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