human terrain

As leaders of the Sahel convened in Chad’s capital N'djamena to discuss flaring jihadist violence, Chadian President Déby announced on 15 February 2021 the deployment of an additional 1,200 soldiers to the border zone between Niger, Mali and Burkino Faso.[i][ii] French President Macron also ruled out a withdrawal of forces despite dwindling domestic support for French operations in the region.[iii] Crisis Group expert Hannah Armstrong says one year after France stepped up its military presence in the region, it is as clear as ever that conventional military engagement has failed to deliver a knockout blow to armed jihadist groups.[iv]

An understanding of society is integral to the human enterprise of armed conflict. This is why the US military has synthesized its tactics with social science research in post-9/11 operations.

The human terrain of Syria is shifting. Buried below last week’s headlines was the news of what might amount to the largest proposed population swap in recent history.

Understanding and engaging in the human domain is essential if you are trying to change, inform or shape human behavior.

An interview with MIT Professor Roger D. Petersen.

Garbology: As our soldiers gain insights, more and more talking trash with the locals will provide a whole new body of intelligence.

 

The Army is globally engaged and regionally responsive; it is an indispensible partner and provider of a full range of capabilities to Combatant Commanders in a Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multi-national (JIIM) environment.  As part of the Joint Force and as America’s Army, in all that we offer, we guarantee the agility, versatility and depth to prevent, Shape, and Win.

Army Vision from 2012 Army Strategic Planning Guidance