Economic Action Group: Transformation to a Legitimate Economy

摘要

The unprecedented might of the U.S. military prevents any other military force on the globe from defeating it, yet terrorists with low technology weapons continue to harass U.S. tactical forces. Terrorism cannot be solved with military assets alone. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) has forced operational commanders to tackle a problem requiring extensive cooperation throughout government agencies. Global thriving national economies have persistent legitimate markets, while failing states often rely on the black and gray markets (BGM) for economic support. Through an Economic Action Group (EAG), operational commanders must isolate, minimize, and marginalize BGM activities as a primary element of defeating the GWOT. An EAG operation will include the successful execution and integration of EAG principles -- security, training, funding, and advertising. The implementation of these principles within a troubled economy will provide a solid foundation to build a legitimate marketplace. Economic reform is not the only piece of the anti-terrorism puzzle, but it is essential as a tool for the operational commander to shape the environment during nation-building and reconstruction operations.