1 / 12

Interacting with Iraqis

Interacting with Iraqis. MODULE 8. Iraqi Profile Bottom Line Up Front. They don’t see the world the way you do They don’t play by the same rules that you do You are judged by them on how you fulfill THEIR expectations

aden
Download Presentation

Interacting with Iraqis

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Interacting with Iraqis MODULE 8

  2. Iraqi ProfileBottom Line Up Front • They don’t see the world the way you do • They don’t play by the same rules that you do • You are judged by them on how you fulfill THEIR expectations • THEIR judgment of you determines YOUR success in Stability Ops and IO (How much they cooperate) • Mutually useful cooperation IS possible HOW?

  3. Iraqi Profile • Current Islamic culture training • Gives tips on how to interact • Doesn’t answer why they behave the way they do • Doesn’t address HOW to get our messages through • Doesn’t address the Iraqi-specific cultural variations • Religion used to legitimize political maneuvering • Sects, ethnicity, tribal affiliations important but vary from AO to AO • NO MAGIC SIMPLE FORMULA

  4. Iraqi Profile • Key Issues for the average Iraqi • Security • Services (Electricity, Water, etc) • Jobs • Key Belief Sets of the average Iraqi • Totally dependent • Don’t see themselves as defeated – CF serve them • Strong leader provides for subordinates • Good/Honorable leader keeps promises

  5. Iraqi Approach to Government • Governmental legitimacy has no meaning to many Iraqis. • Acquiesce to any Muslim government based on its strength and ability to compel obedience • No non-Muslim regime in a Muslim area is legitimate • Officials provide essential services only to those who, through status or influence, can provide a quid-pro-quo • Citizens do only what the government can compel • High motivation to care for extended family • Little motivation to care for neighborhood or serve country.

  6. Iraqi Honor • Fundamentals • Reputation • Strength • Influence • Wealth • Exercising hospitality • Perceive their honor as their main possession • Elevated to an importance we find hard to understand • Respecting Iraqis’ sense of honor • Critical to perception management • Facilitates mission accomplishment • Reduces Coalition casualties • Leverage in “deal making” with Iraqi power players

  7. Iraqi Honor • Dishonor requires revenge • Dishonor to bind an Iraqi’s hands, especially in front of others. • Extreme dishonor to be thrown to the ground or held down with a foot. • We can respect honor without compromising mission or force protection “I may have to kill you, but I won’t dishonor you”

  8. Iraqi ProfileCommunications • Key Communicators • Sheiks, Imams (but often in competition) • Anyone in their “In group” (and YOU ain’t in it!) • Rumors rampant • more dramatic = better • Peacemakers/mediators held in high regard • Television popular but CF have no capability • Face-to-Face = best medium

  9. Iraqi Profile Contracting • They will cheat – especially, when money is at stake • Business ethics are a luxury of affluent societies – “Caveat Emptor” is the only universal business rule • If you try to stop it totally – you are naïve/not respected • If you ignore it – you are a fool/ not respected “Believe everything, but verify”Ronald Reagan

  10. What Works • You will be tasked to provide support to non-military (i.e. contractors) • Relations with Ministries, MNF-I, MNC-I, NGO, Agencies • Guidance will be limited/non-existent • Goals will change frequently • Be prepared to state what you think your goals should be and get approval from Higher

  11. What Works? • Listen • Iraqis talk “between the lines” • Let them ventilate (remember where they came from!)

  12. What Works? • When you speak – repeat key points 3 times • “I will do it” means “I will not do it” to an Iraqi • “I will do it”, “It will be done”, “I will do it tomorrow.” means “I will do it” • Be polite • IPB on leadership and communication networks • When approaching a project or problem, ask the key communicators (privately) for advice and assistance • Boosts your status and theirs

More Related