The US needs a diplomatic Col. McMaster in the Middle East

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09 August 2007

Editorial

The combined capacity of the United States' political leadership and armed forces to create havoc and prod strife and extremism in the Middle East is well documented. The recent experience of one army unit in Iraq, though, suggests that Americans also have the capacity to use military force and political acumen to generate positive results in a wider context of human respect. A Washington Post article a few days ago chronicling the counter-insurgency successes of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Tal Afar, a town of 290,000, offers important insights into some basic principles of foreign policy, military strategy, human decency and just common sense. The capacity of Americans to be efficient and sensible is not in doubt; what is puzzling is why these values do not often translate into American foreign policy as a whole, especially in the Middle East.

The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's recent successes largely reflect the leadership provided by Col. H. R. McMaster, who recently took command and began to train the unit for its return to Iraq. He told the Post that the key to counterinsurgency is focusing on the people, not the enemy. He instituted a series of principles that have proven very effective, and have seen the Iraqis of Tal Afar cooperate with American and Iraqi troops to beat back the insurgents and terrorists.

American officials at the highest level should grasp the underlying principles that explain success on the ground. One principle is that you treat people decently, not humiliate them, especially when you detain them. Treating people fairly, and treating all people alike, is shorthand for applying the rule of law in any society. Another key to the success of this unit is to listen to people, learn their language, understand their values and ethics, and act accordingly. Respecting local customs generates a powerful foundation for the tough political choices that must be made in this sort of situation. A third key is to engage with the people you are trying to protect, work with them rather than ordering them around. When these principles are applied, as Col. McMaster has tried to do in Tal Afar, the result is significant cooperation from the local Iraqis, fewer attacks, and more security and stability. This is another way of showing that people can rule themselves if they are given an opportunity to do so, and are treated as human beings, not as captives or disposable targets.

The McMaster principles should be studied more carefully in Washington and applied in American foreign policy initiatives throughout the Middle East. If such an approach were used in places like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran or other parts of the region - if rule of law and democratic values were to drive policy, rather than fear, ignorance and vengeance - we would see this region transformed into something very different, and much better than what exists today. The concepts at play here are not very complex or obscure. They are anchored in basic common sense, and the sort of respectful human behavior that any parent normally teaches a child. It's also called the Golden Rule of treating others as you'd want them to treat you. It works, when applied by conquering armies or friendly diplomats alike.