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Dr. Gary W. Buffington's avatar

Paul,

In reading through your discussion of the failures of the NATSEC/DoD to comprehend influence let alone craft a rational and workable strategy for strategic influence operations I was reminded of a story told by Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf when he was a young commander in Vietnam. He was briefing Gen. Creighton Abrams on his village pacification plans to win the hearts and minds of the local Vietnamese to which Gen Abrams replied, “I've found that if you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.” While perhaps lacking in subtlety it captures the need for clearly defined goals and objectives as well as the tactics and strategies needed to achieve those goals and objectives.

V/R

Doc B

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