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I saw the new Batman movie over the weekend–went on two long and was too dark for my tastes. However, Heath Ledger’s demented performance as Joker as worth the price of admission. As I drove back from the theater, I started thinking about the interesting parallels between the movie and the subject matter of the asymmetric warfare discussions we’ve been having in the last couple of years. Read the rest of this entry »
Via Abu Muquwama, a portrait of a deranged Soviet counterinsurgent in the Afghan war. There seems to be a common archetype, whether in film or real life, of the counterinsurgency operative who is radically (and negatively) changed by his environment. Take, for example, Col. Mathieu in the film Battle of Algiers, or the obvious Col. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now (who in some ways a reflection of Vietnam War figures like Lt. William Calley).
This is how you win “hearts and minds.” (h/t Mountainrunner)
But in this case, what difference is there between a CIA officer and Dana Priest? (she’s a Post Reporter who covers national security). Once, in a chat she was doing, someone asked her the question– who has better info, you or a spy–and she said her.
Shlok Vaidya has a nice description of Naxalite information operations on the ground level:
Television. A short film revealing the harsh reality of what is termed “anti-Maoist operations” and the general corruption of state forces, including execution style killings of suspects and institutional framing efforts and cover ups. SMS text messaging. Spreading disinformation by spoofing sender data to senior government officials as well as threats to life and property. Extensive leaflet distribution campaign.
There’s an interesting parallel here to the tactics used by anti-globalization and anti-consumerist organizations. What Shlok describes here reminds me very much of the tactics used by Adbusters, Banksy, or if you want to go farther back, the Situationists. The idea is to disrupt your adversary by taking the basic tools of his metanarrative and using them against him. However, what differentiates Naxalite information ops from those of the anti-globalist left is that they aim to convince–they are not intended purely for artistic or shock value.
It was my impression that the Estonians merely weathered the storm. But in this kind of conflict success is difficult to define. So perhaps some cheerleading is warranted.
The first step to victory is having a common definition of the strategy. That’s why articles like these are so important. One thing I’d like to know is if terrorist groups and insurgents in the Middle East perceive IO as a doctrinal concept or a small element of a greater holistic effort.
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