re: "COIN: Smart Soldiers (and Diplomats)"

Grim, posting at Blackfive, gives a balanced view of the diplomatic aspect of counterinsurgency.

Money quote(s):

"State is still in transit at its upper levels. This week's stories show that they aren't really there yet. The stories also show, though, that they are starting to move in that direction. We need them to get to where they are "doing" counterinsurgency as one of their main duties -- in places like Iraq, it is their main duty.

This is one of those places where the nation and its government continue to learn on foot. Rumsfeld was right about one thing: you go to war with the army you have, and the State department you have. We've got to keep up the momentum, especially with State, because they do have a serious and important role to play in all this."