Moral Power and a Hearts-and-Minds Strategy in Post-Conflict Operations

摘要

Cases of post-conflict operations provide insights into the role soldiers, behavior played in the success or failure of that operation. Patterns emerge which show that the thoughts and conduct of soldiers directly relate to the positive progress (or deterioration) of the operation. Sources of soldiers' thoughts and conduct come from values inculcated from and by society, culture, education and training. Another factor of positive progress exists in the mutual respect and rapport between soldiers and the local populace. This social- cultural dimension in post-conflict operations points to the existence of a new element of national power, called moral power. This element can be incorporated into policy and strategy formulation. This paper reviews post-conflict operations in Japan, West Germany, and South Korea at the end of the Second World War and elsewhere. It focuses on the conduct of soldiers and the resulting rapport that existed with the populace. It looks at the factors characterizing relationships established between soldiers and populace and traces the importance that winning hearts and minds has with the successful outcome of post-conflict operations. Following the analysis of historical post- conflict operations cases, this paper provides recommendations for soldiers, military leaders, policy makers and strategy formulators to positively influence the outcome of present and future post-conflict operations.