I also have degrees in Management, International Relations and Informations & Security.

In the Subject ‘Information Warfare’, in the Academy, we must deliver a paper, and mine is going to be in “Effects Based Operations: The 2nd Lebanon War.”

My problem is that I am having trouble deciding which specific aspect or problem or issue, what could constitue a really original and new approach to the matter??

Looking forward to hear from you!

Thank you very much for your attention.

With my Best Regards

José Abreu

cheers, Zhdanov!!

Spot the difference:

Dannatt: ‘Francis Fukuyama’s view that the end of the 20th Century marked the triumph of the West and that capitalism, liberalism and democracy had emerged victors of that century’s protracted ideological conflicts. If he felt that the crumbling of Soviet Communism marked the “end of history”, I suggest he had forgotten to look back over his shoulder …’ etc etc…

Fukuyama: ‘While some countries might fail to achieve stable liberal democracy, and others might lapse back into other more primitive forms of rule, like theocracy or military dictatorship, the ideal of liberal democracy could not be improved on.’

If, as your opening gambit, you misrepresent or flatly misunderstand Fukuyama’s argument at that fundamental level (regardless of whether you agree with his take on Hegelian historical progression), what does that say about the rest of your argument?

NB: Readers in London may be interested to know that IISS are having a book launch for Professor Bobbitt’s new book on Thursday 5 June (18:00hrs at Arundel House):

Terror and Consent argues that we are fighting the wars against terror with weapons and concepts which though useful to us in previous conflicts have now been superseded. Philip Bobbitt argues that we need to reforge the links between law and strategy; to realize how the evolution of modern states, which have always produced terrorists in their own image, has now produced a globally networked terrorism; to combine humanitarian interests with strategies of intervention; and above all to rethink what ‘victory’ in such a war, if it is a war, might look like – no occupied capitals, no treaties, no victory parades, but the preservation, protection and defence of human rights and of states of consent. It is central to his argument that we are fighting terror and not just terrorists.

The real power in Iraq, that which people turn to and most influences the local people’s decisions, is held by tribal leadership or the leadership of groups that operate in a tribal manner, if not necessarily built along tribal lines (former or half converted insurgent groups like Jaysh al Mujahadin and Hamas are a couple examples). Integrating these into the Government of Iraq (GOI) is essential to its future and will help to further deflate the insurgency. Just as important, however, is that it will provide Sunnis with the power to advance their situation without the use of arms thus transitioning former insurgent groups and members into political parties and players.

The most important stumbling block to overcome are rules in place that bar militias from taking part in the elections. Hopefully rules can be interpreted to allow the SOI types, who have spent much effort and blood in securing their local areas, participation.

Elections, while the most important, are not the only thing addressing integration of these tribes/groups. The GOI has also formed provincial Tribal Support Councils meant to provide a forum for tribal leaders to advise the provincial government. While this is a valuable step it suffers from a few problems. First, it leaves out non-tribal leadership, so groups such as Hamas Iraq or Jaysh al Mujahadin who have significant ground level power are left out. Second they currently have appointed membership/leadership, (not elected or agreed upon) that does not represent the people of the province. It does, however, look hopeful that both of these issues might be resolved in the future.

Sean

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4003521.ece