DTIC ADA460388: Through the Lens of Cultural Awareness: A Primer for US Armed Forces Deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern Countries

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Through the Lens of
Cultural Awareness:
A Primer for US Armed Forces
Deploying to Arab and Middle
Eastern Countries
William D. Wunderle
Combat Studies Institute Press
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027
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Cover photo courtesy of US Army. Photo by TSgt Jeremy T. Lock, 22 June 2006.
Through the Lens of
Cultural Awareness:
A Primer for US Armed Forces
Deploying to Arab and Middle
Eastern Countries
William D. Wunderle
LTC, US Army
Combat Studies Institute Press
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publications Data
Wunderle, William D., 1962-
Through the lens of cultural awareness : a primer for U.S. Armed Forces
deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern countries / William D. Wunderle.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
1. United States--Armed Forces--Foreign service--Middle East--
Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Military art and science--Cross-cultural
studies. 3. Arab countries--Social life and customs. 4. National
characteristics, Arab. 5. Cultural awareness--Study and teaching--United
States. I. Title. II. Title: Primer for U.S. Armed Forces deploying to Arab
and Middle Eastern countries.
UA26.A2W37 2006
335.4--dc22
2006038175
ISBN 0-16-077466-7
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
90000
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free [phone]; DC area [phone]
Fax: [phone] Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402-0001
ISBN 0-16-077466-7
9 780160 774669
Foreword
This Combat Studies Institute (CSI) Special Study is unique in that
it focuses more on culture than on history. The CSI objective, however,
remains unchanged—to provide manuscript length historical studies rel-
evant to the leaders of an Army at War. We are, therefore, pleased to offer
Through the Lens of Cultural Awareness: A Primer for US Armed Forces
Deploying to Arab and Middle Eastern Countries by Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) William D. Wunderle.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Long War, as the
Global War on Terrorism is now known, is the cultural environment in
which it is being fought. In truth, however, the US Army has routinely
operated in unfamiliar cultural environments throughout its long history.
The conditions in the Middle East today may be the most difficult in a very
long time, and the Army is making tremendous efforts to become more
effective. Among the key points the author makes in this study is the need
for leaders to understand how culture affects military operations.
This work also represents a slight departure from the norm for his-
torical studies from CSI. As noted, it is not purely a work of history. This
study goes beyond our normal practice of offering insights from the past as
it offers specific policy prescriptions for tomorrow. LTC Wunderle briefly
touches on some of the historical roots of Iraqi and Middle Eastern cul-
ture, but he focuses primarily on cultural conditions in Iraq today. He also
presents ideas for modifying a number of the US Army’s military deci-
sionmaking processes and training programs.
Given the need for rapid action during wartime, we felt this departure
from the historical craft was justified and were eager to accept this manu-
script, written while the author was completing an academic fellowship
for the Army, for publication. We at CSI believe this Special Study will
contribute significantly to the Army as it conducts operations in the Long
War. CSI—The Past is Prologue!
Timothy R. Reese
Colonel, Armor
Director, Combat Studies Institute
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Preface
Conducting the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and projecting
United States (US) influence worldwide has meant an increasing number
of US diplomats and military forces are assigned to locations around the
world, some of which have not previously had a significant US presence.
In the current security environment, understanding foreign cultures and
societies has become a national priority. Cultural understanding is neces-
sary both to defeat adversaries and to work successfully with allies. As
indicated by recent experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, under-
standing Islamic cultures is particularly important. This document defines
a way US military leaders can prepare for and conduct military opera-
tions through the lens of cultural awareness. It provides a method for help-
ing military commanders, staffs, and trainers engage successfully in any
type of operation with an emphasis on postconflict stability operations. It
also suggests modifications to the traditional intelligence preparation of
the battlefield (IPB) and the military decisionmaking process (MDMP) to
address the analytical difficulties posed by the conduct of military opera-
tions within and among different cultures.
Initially, this research was undertaken to support military training con-
ducted at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and the National
Training Center (NTC). In its final form, however, this research will serve
to inform additional studies as well as projects, conferences, and train-
ing conducted throughout the Department of Defense (DOD), Department
of State (DOS), and miscellaneous intelligence agencies. This study will
be of interest to US Armed Forces and intelligence community personnel
planning for or conducting operations in Arab and Middle East countries.
It will also be of interest to any armed forces, law enforcement, or intel-
ligence community personnel that need to assess the intentions, motiva-
tions, and decisionmaking styles of persons from other cultures.
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Acknowledgments
Several people were integral to the successful completion of this proj-
ect by providing information and guidance throughout the research effort.
In particular, I would like to extend a special note of thanks to Kristin
Leuschner from the RAND Corporation, who was able to take my briefing
slides and disparate notes and combine them into a well-formulated, con-
gruent document while offering valuable suggestions and improvements. I
would also like to thank Tom Szayna for his professional advice, mentor-
ship, and tireless efforts in reviewing this research as it progressed.
Likewise, I appreciate receiving input from Bruce Hoffman, Eric
Larson, and Scott Gerwehr, also from the RAND Corporation, who each
provided professional advice, friendship, and an initial review of this
research; the staff of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language
Center; Major Ben Connable of the USMC Cultural Awareness Working
Group; and the staff of the Combat Studies Institute—especially Ms. Betty
Weigand, whose final edits and layout made this book a reality. In addi-
tion, a number of my Arab and Islamic friends and colleagues were instru-
mental in verifying this research; at their request, I have not included their
names. I am additionally indebted to the formal reviewers of this project
for their constructive criticism and comments.
Finally, I want thank my wife, Vicki, a Middle East specialist in her
own right, who provided valuable research assistance, editorial com-
ments, and reviews—this document would not have been possible without
her support. Please note that I am solely responsible for all omissions or
mistakes.
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