Go/ No-Go Criteria for the JFC in Counterinsurgency Operations

摘要

In determining whether or not the U.S. government should engage in counterinsurgency operations with military support, the Joint Force Commander should evaluate four criteria before committing forces. The first is an attainable agreed upon desired end state. The second is the host nation's willingness to address the grievances of the population. The third is the host nation's ability to provide security for the population. The fourth is the host nation's ability to collect intelligence on the insurgency. What the JFC should evaluate is the host nation's potential capability in each of these areas if properly trained or mentored. Current counterinsurgency doctrine does not look at the four criteria mentioned above as go/no-go criteria. The single most important factor in a counterinsurgency operation is the affected government. The JFC should look for the least intrusive means possible to support the host nation in any counterinsurgency operation. True counterinsurgency success lies with the host nation's willingness to provide for their people through sound governance.