There is an odd state of silence after an operation in which more than 10 Al Qaeda insurgents and supporters were detained in our little section of central Diyala Province. The local nationals no longer ignore the Strykers as they drive by, but now look on with fear, respect, hatred, or appreciation. Either way, they look at us knowing that we can directly effect their lives in either a positive or negetive way - depending on whose side they are on.
While Counter Insurgency is indeed a battle for the hearts and minds, those hearts and minds must also be constantly reminded of what can happen if you support the bad guys... The Americans will drop the hammer on your ass.
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The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 09/26/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
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