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STRATFOR.com
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THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
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Secrecy and Trust in Time of War
November 12, 2001
Summary
Concern is rising in some circles about whether America's enemies are being helped by discussions of U.S. war plans and strategies in Afghanistan. Secrecy is certainly essential to any war-fighting effort. But as was seen in Vietnam, too much secrecy can eventually destroy public trust in the government and undermine the war effort.
Analysis
Surprise is the single most powerful tool in warfare. The essence of surprise is secrecy. It would therefore seem to follow that secrecy is the foundation of warfare.
The willingness of a soldier to place himself between home and war's desolation is the precondition of all war. That willingness is rooted in trust: the trust of the soldier, his family and his community that his death, should it occur, will not be in vain.
Secrecy and trust are at the center of a nation's ability to wage war. They also always exist in deep tension. Secrecy is designed to confuse the enemy, but it is impossible to keep secrets from the enemy without also maintaining secrecy in the military and army.
This imposes a burden on both soldiers and citizens, who must on faith accept that those executing the war are withholding truths -- and even telling some lies -- in order to bring victory closer. That is a profound level of trust that is difficult to achieve and even harder to retain.
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Secrecy and Trust in Time of War . . .