Tactics of the Crescent Moon

[Ghostrider]

Picked this up and finished it the other day at Barnes and Noble. (By John Poole)

This book was an easy read that provides an insight into the "Eastern" mindset of fighting more powerful and technologically advanced "Western" powers. Chapters are layed out through the use of historical events and then relating them to present day events. In addition it gives a rough timeline of the emergence of several organizations such as Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, etc. and their links to each other as well as to Iran and other countries.

Despite the use of "popular press" type magazines such as Newsweek, Christian Science Monitor, etc. for some references, Poole's main point is that unless the US military comes to grips with and adapts to the fact that the bad guys do not think or act like Westerners we will have a difficult time totally winning. There are times where it is almost depressing, but I think he points out the worst case scenario in order to jar the reader out of complacency and the thinking that firepower and technology are all that is needed to win.

It is also pointed out by the author that despite our firepower and technological advantages, unless we take the moral high-ground (winning hearts and minds) we will go down a path that is similar to US experiences in Vietnam.

Some will not appreciate the hard comments he makes on our mindset and skills, but IMHO some are spot on and it would behoove those in charge of doctrine to take an honest look at adapting.