Quote:
Originally Posted by queequeger
And with a larger number of troops it would be possible to secure the country, history is riddled with successful counter insurgency campaigns, but all the ones that worked had adequate resources.
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Many successful programs did not use massive numbers of troops nor solve problems with money. In each case, a military objective is only to return the dispute to a peace table. But a peace table will not be fruitful if the reasons for that insurgency are not addressed.
Why were insurgencies in Indonesia and Thailand easily defeated? The reasons for those insurgencies were eliminated with social, economic, and political solutions - not military.
Money does not solve problems. Money is only one tool. Throwing money at any problem like a grenade is money completely wasted. Vietnam and General Motors are two classic examples of money wasted. A solution starts by first identifying the problem and then solving that problem. Whereas money is required, still, money can neither identify a problem nor define a solution.
Money is a tool - a scapel. Does the blindfolded doctor throw scapels in all directions hoping he will fix a heart? And yet that is exactly what happened in Nam - as every soldier who served there with his eyes open can testify.