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Global War on Terrorism:Understanding the Long-Term Strategy- Why Education is key - : Global War on Terrorism: Understanding the Long-Term Strategy - Why Education is key - BG Robert L. Caslen Jr. J5, Deputy Director for War on Terrorism 3 Feb 05


Why we need to educate our leaders : Why we need to educate our leaders GWOT requires educational commitment akin to our Cold War efforts. Due to the importance of ideology in GWOT, the military’s role in countering extremist ideology, and emphasis on information operations We need to study culture from the warfighters’ perspective. Those engaged in the GWOT should be aware of the culture, customs, language and philosophy of the enemy to more effectively counter ideology of the terrorists. -- Gen Richard Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff


GWOT Strategy--Defining the Enemy : GWOT Strategy--Defining the Enemy We are under attack from a global web of enemy networks comprising: Terrorist extremist organizations Primary enemy: Extremist Sunni and Shia movements that exploit Islam for political ends. Most dangerous: – Al Qaida and associated extremists. One of the extremists’ key instruments is terrorism – assassinations and murder of ordinary people. State and non-state supporters of terrorist extremist organizations Some supporters are ideologically motivated, some are not. Some supporters – corrupt government officials, criminals and others – forge alliances of convenience with terrorist extremists. Terrorist extremist organizations tend to be organized as networks; this makes them more dangerous than if they were organized in a centralized fashion.


National Strategic Framework for the GWOT : National Strategic Framework for the GWOT Overall Goal: Preserve and promote the way of life of free and open societies based on the rule of law, defeat terrorist extremism as a threat to that way of life, and create a global environment inhospitable to terrorist extremists. Ends Means National, partner and international instruments of power Counter Ideological Support for Terrorism Protect the Homeland Disrupt and Attack Terrorist Networks Ways Enemy Foot soldiers Leadership Ideological support Safe havens Weapons Funds Comms & Movement Access to Targets Help create and lead a broad international effort to deny terrorist networks the resources they need to operate and survive.


Military Strategic Framework for the GWOT : UNCLASSIFIED Military Strategic Framework for the GWOT Strategic Goal: Preserve and promote the way of life of free and open societies based on the rule of law, defeat terrorist extremism as a threat to our way of life, and create a global environment inhospitable to terrorist extremists. Termination Objectives from the Contingency Planning Guidance (Classified) Ends Means Combatant Commands, Services, and Combat Support Agencies Military Strategic Objectives Counter Ideological Support for Terrorism Protect the Homeland Disrupt and Attack Terrorist Networks Enable partner nations to counter terrorism. Deny WMD/E proliferation, recover and eliminate uncontrolled materials, and maintain capacity for consequence mgmt. Ways Establish conditions that counter ideological support for terrorism. Defeat terrorists and their organizations. Persuade, coerce, and when necessary, compel states and non-states to cease support for terrorists. Enemy Foot soldiers Leadership Ideological support Safe havens Weapons Funds Comms & Movement Access to Targets END-STATE UNCLASSIFIED


Military Contributions to Counter ideological : Military Contributions to Counter ideological Draft National Military Strategic Plan for WOT (NMSP-WOT) DOD does not have the lead for countering ideology in the USG, but DOD plays a significant role. Military Strategic Objective: Establish conditions that counter ideological support to terrorism. DOD’s role falls into five categories: Security Information Operations Humanitarian Support Military to Military Contacts Conduct of Operations Critical to DOD’s contribution to Counter ideological support for terrorism is educating our leaders.


Way Ahead : Way Ahead This Academic Year: Joint Staff briefs at schools Nation Military Strategic Plan for War on Terrorism (NMSP-WOT) Nature of Threat/Enemy Provide materials for school Pamphlets & Task Lists Hold GWOT conference for JPME colleges/schools to educate instructors Next Academic Year: Incorporate into Curriculum: GWOT Strategy Counter Ideological Support for Terrorism (CIST) Nature of Threat/Enemy Capacity Building for GWOT ENDSTATE: Education akin to Cold War