Over the years, the U.S. military has sometimes been tasked with conducting "peace operations" around the world. Some of these have resulted in successes, some in failure and some with mixed results.
We can look at the former Yugoslavia and Somalia as recent examples of efforts and results of these kinds.
Now, private security companies are also promoting their ability to conduct peace operations in international trouble spots.
Although the primary mission of U.S. armed forces is to protect U.S. territory and U.S. "interests" worldwide, they have also tried to "keep the peace" at times.
Unfortunately, American forces are sometimes viewed as being agents of problematic policies by politicians and the politically connected special interests and wealthy elites that contribute generous campaign donations.
In other words, instead of our armed forces being perceived as the honorable "peace officer," they may be viewed as more of a "corrupt cop."
These perceptions can also extend to our intelligence officers and contracted private security companies.
MILITARY MORALITY
Of course, the most obvious example of the varied kinds of perceptions about these kinds of situations is the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Was it a "liberation" of an oppressed people or an effort to boost war profiteering and get access to the region's oil resources? Was it an effort to keep the peace or create chaos and destabilization?
There apparently were elements of all of these aspects as well as other motivators, objectives and outcomes involved.
International military operations, whether they are warfare, peace operations or both, start with motivations and morality of those in command.
No matter how professionally the missions are carried out, the honor and integrity involved in a mission depends on why and sometimes how it is undertaken and accomplished.
If the mission is amoral, dishonest, wrong-headed or illegal from the start, it can be somewhat difficult to turn it around into a successful and correct action.
Of course, if the mission is simply to make money, which some people accuse private contractors of, then making money means success.
If the goal is to look at the bigger picture of America's standing internationally, our self-image as a force for good and decency, and our efforts to create a better and more peaceful world, then deeper moral thought and perspective might be helpful.
When we are sending our military personnel out to die and be horribly injured, killing innocent civilians and unleashing chaos that results in hundreds of thousands of deaths of innocents, including children, that moral element seems quite important.
The final perceptions about ourselves and by people around the world may rest on these factors.
For example, if the Blackwater company had been contracted to go into Darfur and had been successful in establishing and maintaining peace, and helping the victims there, that security company might now be perceived as a force for good and an organization with substantial honor. And, maybe peace can be profitable.
SKILL SETS
When our military, intelligence community and even contracted security companies carry out warfare, security and peace operations, they bring certain attitudes, skills, equipment, tactics and strategies to the situations.
Fundamentally, they may often "kill people and blow up things."
This is now done in increasingly efficient and technologically advanced ways by highly-skilled experts.
At the same time, people involved in information operations, psychological operations, peace operations and other specialized areas can prevent bloodshed and maintain the peace.
They can even help salvage peace from terrible warfare situations.
Again, the former Yugoslavia scenario might be a reasonable example of this.
For many disciplines within the military, killing people and blowing up things is the primary skill set. Hostage rescue, special reconnaissance operations and other unique activities are more sophisticated and require additional skills.
U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) are, unknown to many people, not just commandos and trained killers. They are also highly-trained in cultural awareness, foreign languages, rapport-building with others, providing training and assistance and other activities that we might consider quite constructive.
Some other special operations groups may have some of these skills, but may also primarily focus on the killing and blowing up roles and missions. They may lack additional skills to be effective in peace operations.
Human relations, communications, psychology, establishing rapport, providing aid and support, community-building and similar kinds of activities in which Army Special Forces are so well trained are skills lacking in other military branches and organizations such as private security contractors.
These "soft power" skills and activities can be more effective than "hard power" bombs and bullets.
The truth is, in many situations, you need both, working hand in hand.
UNCONVENTIONAL OPS
The value of peace operations now and in the future will undoubtedly be evaluated by experts and the changing situations in the world today.
As leadership in the U.S. and elsewhere changes and as people in America and around the world move forward each day, month and year, there will be continued evaluation of the value of peace operations and the wisdom of warfare, conquest, invasion and killing people and blowing up things.
Like a peace officer on patrol, sometimes you need to call in the SWAT team. Sometimes you calm things down and keep the peace. Sometimes you help people.
Unconventional operations, a term that can encompass a wide range missions, can also include many activities related to peace operations.
When U.S. hospital ships visit poor countries and treat the sick and injured, this is a kind of unconventional operation.
When U.S. Marines respond to disaster zones to rescue people and deliver aid, this is a peace operation with great value.
When Army Special Forces build rapport with people around the world, the potential for positive human development, peace and prosperity can be enhanced.
In the U.S. and internationally, we have peace institutes, foundations and organizations who try to further this kind of thinking and these kinds of efforts.
Many of our religious organizations also have activities along these lines. Volunteer physicians and medical personnel make mercy missions to help poor people around the world.
The moral clarity, the important goals, the positive outcomes and the resources needed to accomplish them are some of the key features of successful peace operations.
Developing, locating, coordinating and deploying peace operations resources and personnel might accomplish highly desirable objectives.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
We can look at the former Yugoslavia and Somalia as recent examples of efforts and results of these kinds.
Now, private security companies are also promoting their ability to conduct peace operations in international trouble spots.
Although the primary mission of U.S. armed forces is to protect U.S. territory and U.S. "interests" worldwide, they have also tried to "keep the peace" at times.
Unfortunately, American forces are sometimes viewed as being agents of problematic policies by politicians and the politically connected special interests and wealthy elites that contribute generous campaign donations.
In other words, instead of our armed forces being perceived as the honorable "peace officer," they may be viewed as more of a "corrupt cop."
These perceptions can also extend to our intelligence officers and contracted private security companies.
MILITARY MORALITY
Of course, the most obvious example of the varied kinds of perceptions about these kinds of situations is the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Was it a "liberation" of an oppressed people or an effort to boost war profiteering and get access to the region's oil resources? Was it an effort to keep the peace or create chaos and destabilization?
There apparently were elements of all of these aspects as well as other motivators, objectives and outcomes involved.
International military operations, whether they are warfare, peace operations or both, start with motivations and morality of those in command.
No matter how professionally the missions are carried out, the honor and integrity involved in a mission depends on why and sometimes how it is undertaken and accomplished.
If the mission is amoral, dishonest, wrong-headed or illegal from the start, it can be somewhat difficult to turn it around into a successful and correct action.
Of course, if the mission is simply to make money, which some people accuse private contractors of, then making money means success.
If the goal is to look at the bigger picture of America's standing internationally, our self-image as a force for good and decency, and our efforts to create a better and more peaceful world, then deeper moral thought and perspective might be helpful.
When we are sending our military personnel out to die and be horribly injured, killing innocent civilians and unleashing chaos that results in hundreds of thousands of deaths of innocents, including children, that moral element seems quite important.
The final perceptions about ourselves and by people around the world may rest on these factors.
For example, if the Blackwater company had been contracted to go into Darfur and had been successful in establishing and maintaining peace, and helping the victims there, that security company might now be perceived as a force for good and an organization with substantial honor. And, maybe peace can be profitable.
SKILL SETS
When our military, intelligence community and even contracted security companies carry out warfare, security and peace operations, they bring certain attitudes, skills, equipment, tactics and strategies to the situations.
Fundamentally, they may often "kill people and blow up things."
This is now done in increasingly efficient and technologically advanced ways by highly-skilled experts.
At the same time, people involved in information operations, psychological operations, peace operations and other specialized areas can prevent bloodshed and maintain the peace.
They can even help salvage peace from terrible warfare situations.
Again, the former Yugoslavia scenario might be a reasonable example of this.
For many disciplines within the military, killing people and blowing up things is the primary skill set. Hostage rescue, special reconnaissance operations and other unique activities are more sophisticated and require additional skills.
U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) are, unknown to many people, not just commandos and trained killers. They are also highly-trained in cultural awareness, foreign languages, rapport-building with others, providing training and assistance and other activities that we might consider quite constructive.
Some other special operations groups may have some of these skills, but may also primarily focus on the killing and blowing up roles and missions. They may lack additional skills to be effective in peace operations.
Human relations, communications, psychology, establishing rapport, providing aid and support, community-building and similar kinds of activities in which Army Special Forces are so well trained are skills lacking in other military branches and organizations such as private security contractors.
These "soft power" skills and activities can be more effective than "hard power" bombs and bullets.
The truth is, in many situations, you need both, working hand in hand.
UNCONVENTIONAL OPS
The value of peace operations now and in the future will undoubtedly be evaluated by experts and the changing situations in the world today.
As leadership in the U.S. and elsewhere changes and as people in America and around the world move forward each day, month and year, there will be continued evaluation of the value of peace operations and the wisdom of warfare, conquest, invasion and killing people and blowing up things.
Like a peace officer on patrol, sometimes you need to call in the SWAT team. Sometimes you calm things down and keep the peace. Sometimes you help people.
Unconventional operations, a term that can encompass a wide range missions, can also include many activities related to peace operations.
When U.S. hospital ships visit poor countries and treat the sick and injured, this is a kind of unconventional operation.
When U.S. Marines respond to disaster zones to rescue people and deliver aid, this is a peace operation with great value.
When Army Special Forces build rapport with people around the world, the potential for positive human development, peace and prosperity can be enhanced.
In the U.S. and internationally, we have peace institutes, foundations and organizations who try to further this kind of thinking and these kinds of efforts.
Many of our religious organizations also have activities along these lines. Volunteer physicians and medical personnel make mercy missions to help poor people around the world.
The moral clarity, the important goals, the positive outcomes and the resources needed to accomplish them are some of the key features of successful peace operations.
Developing, locating, coordinating and deploying peace operations resources and personnel might accomplish highly desirable objectives.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
