Retrograde into the Offense in Iraq: Strategic Communications and the Positive Effects of a US Drawdown

摘要

The famous military historian B.H. Liddell Hart wisely reminds, 'The withdrawal should be thought of as an offensive instrument, and exercises framed to teach how the enemy can be lured into a trap, closed by a counter- stroke or a devastating circle of fire.' Unfortunately, retrograding is all too often equated with failure; however, the withdrawal has been used throughout history to achieve great military results. Its timely employment is especially critical during counterinsurgency (COIN) operations, as the (foreign) government must look to minimize its military footprint whenever and wherever the security situation allows. Accordingly, the US should conduct a drawdown from Iraq tied to a strategic communications message and a condition of reduced violence, in order to draw the enemy combatants into a trap, attrite their center of gravity (CoG), and increase security.