Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

Information becomes a weapon: Network-centric warfare lets warfighters win major operations, but its role in fighting insurgencies remains vague, by Frank Tiboni

Who knew there was a Federal Computer Week!?! Here's the part in the middle that quotes Tom:

“Network-centric warfare is here. It’s no longer a banner worth carrying,” said Thomas P.M. Barnett, a former researcher and professor at the Naval War College who worked for Cebrowski. Barnett is author of the books “The Pentagon’s New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century” and “Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating.”

Information proved to be a valuable weapon during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the military is still battling Taliban, Sunni and al Qaeda fighters. “Network-centric warfare has a half-life that really dissipates after major combat operations,” he said.

The next challenge is determining how information can become a powerful weapon in stability and support operations, the current phase of action in Afghanistan and Iraq. DOD officials must find ways to better use information for collaboration among warfighters, community leaders and citizens to fight insurgencies and promote economic development, Barnett said.

Creating jobs and rebuilding infrastructure in those countries is equally or more important to military victories in Afghanistan and Iraq, Barnett said. By doing so, military efforts could lead to improved Afghani and Iraqi lives, which might help win their hearts — and win the war, he added. “This means building the network that is not yet built.”

Tom writes of this article:

Two great quotes, a great paraphrase, and he mentions both books. Plus, my angle pivots the pieces and gives it the second half of the title.

You read an article like that, and you're happy you said yes to Tiboni and put in the half-hour on the phone.

I gotta get Enterra to trumpet stuff like this.