COIN and Culture: How Important is Cultural Intelligence in Counterinsurgency?

March 25, 2022 00:47:19
COIN and Culture: How Important is Cultural Intelligence in Counterinsurgency?
Irregular Warfare Podcast
COIN and Culture: How Important is Cultural Intelligence in Counterinsurgency?

Mar 25 2022 | 00:47:19

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Show Notes

It has become axiomatic that cultural intelligence is key to success in counterinsurgency operations. But is it? This episode examines this assumption, exploring whether the cultural training we receive in the military is indeed the linchpin to success—or a red herring, even a harmful distractor, in the absence of coherent strategy. Why does cultural awareness tend to be absent at the strategic level, and does this really matter? Our guests on this episode, Sir Simon Mayall and Dr. Christian Tripodi, discuss these questions and more, including what cultural awareness should mean in the context of counterinsurgency and, looking ahead, in the era of great power competition.

Intro music: "Unsilenced" by Ketsa

Outro music: "Launch" by Ketsa

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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