The Human Terrain System : operationally relevant social science research in Iraq and Afghanistan / Christopher J. Sims

By: Contributor(s): Language: English Publication details: Carlisle, PA : SSI and US Army War College Press, 2015Description: xv, 504 pages : illustrations ; 23 cmISBN:
  • 1584877170
  • 9781584877172
Subject(s): Online resources:
Contents:
Introduction -- Capability gap -- Two cultures -- From a military crisis -- Trial, error, and amendment -- Theory and practice -- At the limits of knowledge -- Conclusions.
Summary: "The Human Terrain System embedded civilians primarily in brigade combat teams (BCTs) in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2007 and 2014 to act as a collection and dispersal mechanism for sociocultural comprehension. Set against the backdrop of the program's evolution, the experiences of these social scientists clarifies the U.S. Army's decision to integrate social scientists at the tactical level in conflict. Based on interviews, program documents, material from Freedom of Information Act requests, and secondary sources, this book finds a series of limiting factors inhibiting social science research at the tactical level, common to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Complexity in integrating civilians into the military decision making cycle, creating timely research with a high level of fidelity, and making granular research resonate with brigade staff all contributed to inhibiting the overall effect of the Human Terrain System. Yet, while high operational tempo in contested spaces complicates social science research at the tactical level, the author argues that there is a continued requirement for a residual capability to be maintained by the U.S. Army"--Publisher's web site.
Item type: monograph
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Holdings
Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
SIPRI Library and Documentation 355 Sims Available G16/202

"December 2015."

SIP1610

Includes bibliographical references (pages 393-444).

Introduction -- Capability gap -- Two cultures -- From a military crisis -- Trial, error, and amendment -- Theory and practice -- At the limits of knowledge -- Conclusions.

"The Human Terrain System embedded civilians primarily in brigade combat teams (BCTs) in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2007 and 2014 to act as a collection and dispersal mechanism for sociocultural comprehension. Set against the backdrop of the program's evolution, the experiences of these social scientists clarifies the U.S. Army's decision to integrate social scientists at the tactical level in conflict. Based on interviews, program documents, material from Freedom of Information Act requests, and secondary sources, this book finds a series of limiting factors inhibiting social science research at the tactical level, common to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Complexity in integrating civilians into the military decision making cycle, creating timely research with a high level of fidelity, and making granular research resonate with brigade staff all contributed to inhibiting the overall effect of the Human Terrain System. Yet, while high operational tempo in contested spaces complicates social science research at the tactical level, the author argues that there is a continued requirement for a residual capability to be maintained by the U.S. Army"--Publisher's web site.

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