A Gun in One Hand, A Pen in the Other.

IRAQ War, 2003-2011; COUNTERINSURGENCY; INSURGENCY; UNITED States. Army; SPECIALISTS; IRAQIS; ARABIC language; SOCIAL history

IRAQ; UNITED States

This article reports on U.S. military presence in Iraq and its efforts to understand Iraqi society and insurgency. The Human Terrain System is supposed to consist of specialists who could provide insight for counterinsurgency efforts, but recruitment and funding are too low to develop a strong, Arabic-speaking team. The article discusses the training for the Human Terrain experts, their balance between academic and military skills, and the members' attitudes towards the program.