Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog
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CUT THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDING
19 Feb 2012 | 12:06 pmFighting the complex and diverse wars of today requires us to be prepared to face an enemy who has no scruples in utilising crime, and total terror against innocent civilians in order to coerce their support with the aim of placing themselves into power. This does not mean that conventional land battles are something of the past and unconventional warfare something of the future. The fact remains that armies need to prepare for both scenarios as well as their various off-shoots. In many instances, they will need to conduct these missions in support of the law enforcement agencies. Utilising unconventional methods, and in the process developing their armed gangs, we have allowed these unconventional forces to move funds and equipment, ie arms and ammunition, and in some instances, sympathetic governments have even provided these thugs with passports or allowed their territories to be used for “training”. This has given numerous terrorist groups freedom of movement as well as financial freedom. Sometimes hidden beneath layers of ostensibly legitimate business, their activities aimed at instilling terror continue – and in some instances they are still able to move large sums of money, albeit in the shape of resources, to fund their activities and crimes. Even more so when they act as proxies for governments who plan the demise of neighbouring states or aim at creating regional instability. Much has been done with international banking laws and regulations to follow the money trail but I suspect it is the wrong approach to follow.[…]
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PROGRESSION OF WAR AND CONFLICT IN AFRICA
10 Feb 2012 | 11:36 amAfrica has been wracked by numerous wars, civil wars, rebellions and insurgencies, conflicts that have all been very similar in progression - a progression that closely follows Mao Zedong’s views on how these actions ought to be conducted. This does not imply that those insurgencies have all been Maoist in thought and deed but rather that the Maoist progression model has been relatively easy to implement. In the West, those who ferment such a revolution with the aim of overthrowing a government are often viewed as “freedom fighters” or “non-state actors”. Within Africa they are not viewed as such as the term itself gives those who turn to armed conflict a legitimacy that is often undeserved. As such revolutions inevitably make use of extreme torture of captured opponents, brutality towards the innocent and extreme terrorisation of the local populace, they are instead referred to as “rebels”, “terrorists” or “criminals”. Africa has also been witness to numerous coup d’etats, the results which have often led to the establishment of military juntas that are inexperienced in political matters and therefore prone to mismanaging the political responsibilities associated with government. This has been partly due to the large influence of politics within the military as well as the quest for ultimate power. Conventional wars, as understood in the Western sense of conventional land battles, are not common to Africa. Although there have been large, isolated classical conventional battles on the continent post 1945, it is the manner of conduct and approach to war[…]
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THE LEVELS OF WAR
6 Feb 2012 | 8:55 amThe military strategy is an intelligence-driven, intellectual process that results in possible future or definite action. The waging of war ie the implementation of strategy is conducted at four distinct yet inter-related levels. These levels are known as the levels of war and consist of: 1. The political level 2. The strategic level 3. The operational level 4. The tactical level. The Political Level: Sometimes referred to as War by Political Means, this is the highest level of war and is often ignored by the military. Although the Grand Strategy or National Strategy is the highest level of strategy, the political level of war is, likewise, the highest level of war and is associated with political, economical and/or covert politico-military operations. Sometimes referred to as War by Political Means, it is the applying of political and/or economical sanctions against a country that is considered to be conducting unacceptable political practices. Likewise, financial sanctions aimed at wearing down or exhausting a country economically are further examples of war at the political level. Other examples of the war at the political level include expelling of diplomatic staff, pressure to ensure international isolation of a threat country, international boycotts, international support to nationalist groups, and the conduct of highly-sensitive, high-level covert operations aimed at achieving a specific political goal and so forth. The conduct of highly-sensitive, high-level covert operations are usually deniable by the government. Where war at the political level may require discretionary warfare, these types of operations straddle the boundary between[…]
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TOO MANY MANAGERS, TOO FEW COMMANDERS
31 Jan 2012 | 11:28 am
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Of late, there seems to be a tendency to believe that we ought to “manage” troops instead of commanding them. I know the SADF of old almost fell into the trap of “Management” as opposed to “Command”. I have my own very pretty management certificate to prove the point.
There is however differences between a marketing plan and a design for battle.
“Unity of Command” is a golden albeit a forsaken principle of war. The word “command” is used and has been for years – not “Unity of Management”. The military has senior commanders and not senior managers – or at least it ought to have senior commanders.
In my view, commanders issue orders and managers issue instructions. Although some may view this as hair-splitting, the principles of management are somewhat different from the principles of command. The circumstances under which orders vs instructions are issued are also vastly different. When orders are not followed, disciplinary action – usually severe - takes place. When instructions are not followed, managers reprimand the guilty parties. That in itself is a difference.
In the field, a commander will issue an order: “Place the machinegun there and engage targets!” A manager will issue an instruction: “Please move the machine gun to that position and then open fire”. There are differences in how these actions are requested and enforced and they differ from one another.
Orders are obeyed as a result of discipline. This discipline is taught on parade grounds across the world. Soldiers are[…] -
WARS IN AFRICA
28 Jan 2012 | 2:40 amAfrica has been at war with itself for centuries. I believe that this is not likely to end within the short or even the medium term. There are numerous reasons for this continued state of conflict and it will not lessen, no matter how hard the outside world wishes it to as there are many agendas that drive this continued state of conflict. Many countries on the African continent have faced numerous types of warfare in the past – and will face similar – or expanded - threats in the future. Over decades, the continent has witnessed hot wars as well as cold wars – all aimed at achieving political-ethnical, tribal, religious, economical and even criminal goals. Countries will go to war with one another over water, food, resources, territorial disputes and so forth. Others will use proxy forces to achieve their aims and ambitions. Some will resort to the tactics of terror to achieve their aims. But they all have one common aim: Power. This places the senior command cadre of the African armed forces in a position of having to contend with both regional and domestic political, social and military matters. The threats that governments in Africa face are diverse, multi-layered and complex. Countering these threats, therefore, extends beyond the normally accepted role of the armed forces. This requires military strategists and planners to have access to intelligence as well as foresight and vision (based on sound intelligence) of the geo-political and military developments in the region. If[…]
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HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012
13 Jan 2012 | 7:19 amAs I will not be home when the Chinese New Year of 2012 begins, I would like to wish all of my Chinese friends a very Happy Year of the Dragon – even though my wishes are about a week too soon. The Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year) takes place in the early months of our calendar year, typically in January or February. In 2012, the Lunar New Year begins on 23rd January and its beginning marks 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Dragon. In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal, these being the following 12 animals: Boar, Dragon, Dog, Horse, Monkey, Ox, Rat, Rabbit, Ram, Rooster, Snake and Tiger. It is believed that each of these animals bestow their characteristics to the people born in their year. The Year of the Dragon (2012) heralds the end of the Year of the Rabbit (2011). May you all have a very happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
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THE ART OF WAR GIFT
6 Jan 2012 | 12:25 am
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As a young officer – and later – I read just about every version of Sun Tzu’s Art of War I could lay my hands on. Resting in my bookcase, I have six different copies and interpretations of this incredible work. The last edition I bought was Sun Tzu’s Art of War by General Tao Hanzhang in 2011.
Now I have seven – and the latest edition is the most special edition I could ever dream of having. Besides, as I said to LP a while back, I am not an e-book type; I love the feel and smell of books. However, the latest addition to my Sun Tzu collection is an incredible piece of art in its own right albeit somewhat very different from those normally found in bookstores.
My very good friend Raymond Cheung presented me with this version of Sun Tzu’s Art of War over dinner at the Ye Shanghai restaurant on the 26 December 2011 and it is an edition I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Although my photographs can never do justice to this amazing gift, I would nevertheless like to share it with you all.
This version of the Art of War is presented in its own redwood presentation case:
Once the presentation case is opened, this is what one finds:
Inside is a bamboo scroll, a stand, a pair of surgical gloves and a magnifying glass with which to read the scroll with as the print is very small.[…] -
A BLESSED, HEALTHY AND SAFE 2012 TO ALL
3 Jan 2012 | 6:46 amTo all who sent my family and I Christmas and New Year messages and blessings, I need to apologise for not having responded sooner but I was not near my computer...Thank you very much for your messages of friendship, good wishes and support. Having arrived back home today (3 January 2012), the new year has already started but I wish to offer you and your loved ones my (belated) best New Year’s wishes. I hope that your coming year will be filled with good health, much happiness and that you will all be kept safe. I was very fortunate during 2011 as I was able to travel to new(ish) places, meet new friends and work alongside them. Of course, there are also those elected officials who believe that they were never elected but born into their positions who severely frowned upon my friends and I. However, it was good to meet them as well – or at least to discover who they are – as it is always better to know who your enemies are than be blissfully unaware of their existence. I wish all followers and visitors to my blog a very belated yet blessed Christmas season. To those who did not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason, I hope you had a peaceful festive period. To those who are trapped in the numerous conflicts around the world, I hope that you were able to have some peace. Thanks again to everyone who took time to read and contribute[…]
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FOR VETERANS ACROSS THE WORLD
11 Nov 2011 | 11:26 amMy friend RG sent this to me for Veterans Day – a day we ought to remember with thanks to the many men who gave their lives for what they believed in. Without their selfless contribution, our world would surely be a lot different. We must never be allowed to forget that they gave their tomorrows for our today. A greater sacrifice there can never be. May you all have peace where you may be. THE FINAL INSPECTION The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. 'Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you ? Have you always turned the other cheek ? To My Church have you been true?' The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've[…]
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ASSESSING THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
11 Nov 2011 | 12:36 am
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Much is said and written about the different environments soldiers need to conduct operations in.
A crucial factor that needs to be appreciated when developing and formulating the operational design/commander’s intent is the operating environment (OE). Failure to appreciate this environment in detail can lead to problems and even disaster once the operational design is implemented. This is because the OE has a major impact on our tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
The operating environment can by defined as the result of the appreciation of a combination of factors that include – but not restricted to - terrain, climatic conditions, population distribution and their feelings towards opposing forces, vegetation, infrastructure (or lack of), tribal distribution, religion, culture and so forth.
The OE can vary within a single AO
The OE is therefore the result of several appreciated factors in order to determine their impact within the Area of Operations (AO) that can, may or will influence combat operations.
This will allow the commander to determine to what extent the OE favours either own forces or those of the enemy and what can be done to negate enemy advantages as well as ease and sustain own forces combat operations.
The OE is classified as friendly, neutral or hostile. In turn, this can result in limited activity operations to highly complex operations and can result in both conventional warfare operations and COIN operations within a single Area of Operations (AO).
Combat operations in Africa can, within a single AO, result in operations being[…] -
HIGH SUICIDE RATES PLAGUE THE VETERAN COMMUNITY
7 Nov 2011 | 9:02 amby Douglas Karr, USN Veteran Operations Desert Storm & Desert Shield (I would not normally publish another writer’s article on my blog but this is for a good cause. My hope is that veterans that visit this blog may find some value in Doug’s article). According to The Chronicle of Higher Education close to half of all veterans have contemplated suicide and 20 percent have made actual plans to kill themselves. Suicide among returning soldiers has become a rampant problem over the past decade. Reasons for Suicide There are many reasons veterans contemplate suicide. Frequently, returning soldiers are faced with difficulty reintegrating into civilian life when they return from combat. Additionally, in today’s economy, veterans are also forced to deal with the difficulty of finding civilian employment and may also be stunned to discover that their home is in or on the verge of foreclosure. Add to this potential injuries and long-term health issues that arise from being exposed to combat conditions and the risk of suicide escalates among veterans. When someone contemplates suicide, it is often because they simply cannot see a future for themselves. They do not have feelings of hope that things will get better or their lives will improve. For veterans with PTSD or severe physical injuries, pain can also be a contributing factor. For those with PTSD, the symptoms of the condition can be so overwhelming that soldiers may feel completely out of control and they may never regain their equilibrium. For those with physical[…]
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WHY AM I NO LONGER SURPRISED?
2 Nov 2011 | 8:57 amAn article on today’s News24 website ran a piece about Simon Mann’s long awaited book “Cry Havoc”. Personally, I think it is time that he documented his side of the story as there have been a lot of allegations regarding his failed Equatorial Guinea coup attempt. Do not get me wrong: Simon and I are not and have never been the best of chums but I am not surprised that he wrote the book – although I suspect there are those that would have preferred him not to write it. What did surprise me though was what I perceive to be a deliberate piece of disinformation in the News24 piece. An extract from the piece I am referring to reads as follows: “According to Mann, the CIA initially approved of the plan, which was backed by Executive Outcomes, a private military company run by a man he referred to as "The Boss"”. It is very clear to me that whoever penned that piece of rubbish did not even bother to do any research. I somehow doubt that Simon would have said that unless he has become delusional. First of all, I established Executive Outcomes (EO) in 1989. That usually overlooked bit of proof can be found by simply visiting the South African Registrar of Companies. Any journalist that is serious about reporting the truth only has to ask to view the founding statement and the registration documents. I suspect that there are not many serious journalists around – if there[…]
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APOLOGIES...
28 Oct 2011 | 5:01 amI am sorry to have been off-line for a few weeks. As I was busy travelling and jumping on and off planes, I did not have sufficient access to the internet to allow me to answer the comments on the blog. Before a new rumour starts – no, I was not near to or even in Libya. In fact, I was neither in the Middle East nor North Africa. I note that there have been several attempts to contact me by the media demanding to know if I am - or was - in Libya. I hope that they can understand what I am saying although some days, I have to wonder. I will shortly be adding another posting to the blog so thanks to those who, despite my apparent tardiness of updating, continued to visit the site.
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RELENTLESS PURSUIT: A NEGLECTED COIN PRINCIPLE?
21 Aug 2011 | 6:51 amFighting an apparently elusive enemy during COIN operations can be very frustrating, especially for the men in the field. The frustration is increased when it appears that the enemy has the initiative – which he indeed has at times - as he can chose his place, time and method of attack. These attacks are usually of short duration but have the sole aim of killing, wounded or delaying own forces members – and getting maximum publicity for their cause. When the enemy believes he has the initiative, he becomes bolder and more daring. When we believe that the enemy has the initiative, it places us in a reactive state-of-mind, thus giving the enemy the initiative. Wresting the initiative from the enemy is not as easy as it sounds, but it is not impossible. We need to place the enemy in a position of continual disadvantage and then exploit it with speed, aggression and firepower. One aspect I feel is not emphasised enough in COIN operations is the principle of “relentless pursuit”. Relentless pursuit implies the enemy is pursued with speed and aggression, without stopping, pushing him past the limits of his endurance whilst we continually substitute the men doing the pursuit with fresh troops. This forces the enemy into a state of exhaustion as he has no time to eat or rest. It also impacts negatively on his morale, leads to panic and subsequently leads him to make mistakes. When the enemy is tired and hungry, he becomes weak[…]
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LOCKERBIE BOMBING: ANOTHER BLOG, ANOTHER LIE
19 Aug 2011 | 8:25 amI am used to being falsely accused of many things although I never expected a so-called Professor Emeritus to allow his blog to be used for disinformation purposes – unless, of course, he has proof of what he allows to be placed on his site or he is acting as someone’s propaganda agent. Even less did I expect Professor Robert Black (http://lockerbiecase.blogspot.com/2011/07/general-magnus-malan.html), a man of the legal profession and who so eloquently states on his blog that he “is often referred to as the architect of the Lockerbie trial at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands” to allow such a libellous and slanderous comment to be placed on his blog without even taking to trouble to verify it. This certainly does not say much for the esteemed professor’s abilities as a man of the law. The lie I am referring to was placed by a person who identified himself as Patrick Haseldine. This buffoon wrote the following: Eeben Barlow, commander of South Africa’s Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB) Europe Branch coordinated the Lockerbie Bombing on 21 December 1988 by targeting UN Commissioner for Namibia, Bernt Carlsson, the most prominent of the 270 victims. At Heathrow airport, CCB operatives had six hours in which to substitute the “bomb bag” for Bernt Carlsson’s checked-in suitcase, while Carlsson was attending a meeting in London with De Beers diamond cartel. No trace of his suitcase was ever found following the Pan Am Flight 103 disaster. The esteemed professor simply published Haseldine’s lie without doing any research.[…]
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