A Conversation With David Kilcullen
A Conversation With David Kilcullen – Carlos Lozada, Washington Post interview
Why is an Aussie anthropologist coaching American generals on how to win wars? David Kilcullen, an Australian army reservist and top adviser to Gen. David H. Petraeus during the troop surge in Iraq, has spent years studying insurgencies in countries from Indonesia to Afghanistan, distinguishing hard-core terrorists from “accidental guerrillas” — and his theories are revolutionizing military thinking throughout the West. Kilcullen spoke with Outlook’s Carlos Lozada on why Pakistan is poised for collapse, whether catching Osama bin Laden is really a good idea and how the Enlightenment and Lawrence of Arabia helped Washington shift course in Iraq.
More at The Washington Post.
Very interesting that Kilcullen uses the exact same three criteria Creighton Abrams did in Vietnam. Same same, everyday!
His point about adaptation seem seems to undermine the Nagl’s thesis about the UK adaptation in Malaya versus the US in Vietnam. A view I share.
Can’t agree about TE Lawrence though. A man hyped far beyond his actual ability or achievements. We don’t want or need any modern TE Lawrence’s.