The original draft of this entry was lost to a Windows 98 crash, so I've recreated it, but in a shorter form (so I can go back to doing important stuff).The Pentagon has revealed a new doctrine, which gives major consideration to post-conflict rebuilding, emphasising the need for planning to 'win the peace' in conflict preparations, and the role of training of the forces for this end. Some analysts are worried that this will bring a new schizophrenia into the forces, may be too difficult for some, and could damage troops' capabilities.
My view is that there won't be a major shift in training any time soon. This kind of shift would take years to realise in the training grounds, where it will probably meet organisational resistance from those directly responsible for training. Moreover, with continuing controversy of the ongoing operations in Iraq, this move smells slightly reactionary. It also looks like the generals are planning for the previous conflict, as generals have done throughout the ages. Bearing this in mind, this shift is probably relatively temporary - after a withdrawal from Iraq neither the American government nor its citizens will have much stomach for another war (whatever pundits mumble about Iran or Syria), at least for a few years. That should be ample time for this doctrine to be mostly replaced, or at least watered-down in practice.
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