Les Jones

News > Lessons Learned in Iraq

Andrew Olmsted is blogging on Lessons Learned in Iraq. Some of the lessons are tactical military lessons about operating in a guerilla environment, but some of them speak to the specific situation in Iraq:

The Iraqi people have been submitted to a dictatorship that prevented them from voicing their opinions without retribution. Unsure of the future, they are tentative to assist either side for fear of such retribution. Rumors spread like wild fire and are readily believed by the populace. Many are unsure that Saddam is gone for good. The people prefer to remain neutral, often saying, "I saw nothing". There are still many that fear repercussions from other tribes or families if they identify someone as a regime loyalist. The concept of the "Blood Feud" is very much alive and well here. The police do not have much legitimacy at this point so paybacks often occur between families and tribes. Much of the cooperation we get is, in many cases, people "fingering" someone to settle old scores and get even with their adversaries.

Populations that have survived in a brutal regime over the past 35 years should not be expected to rush to the streets, offering unconditional assistance. This people are survivors and very willing to play both sides of the street as long as it is beneficial to do so. Trust must be earned (usually in the form of financial investment and visible improvement projects in the area) before they can be expected to provide assistance or intelligence. Apathy on the part of the general population should not be viewed as a threat to U.S. operations, rather as an untapped resource, yet to be won over.