US army enlists anthropologists

[unhappycamper]

The aim is to aid US soldiers' understanding of local cultures


US army enlists anthropologists
By Kambiz Fattahi
BBC Persian Service, Washington


It is sending "mine-resistant, ambush-protected" vehicles into the battlefield. It is also using cutting-edge biometric technologies to identify insurgents.

But that is not all. The US military has developed a new programme known as the Human Terrain System (HTS) to study social groups in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The HTS depends heavily on the co-operation of anthropologists, with their expertise in the study of human beings and their societies.

~snip~

"Cultural anthropologists are focused on understanding how societies make decisions and how attitudes are formed. They give us the best vision to see the problems through the eyes of the target population," he said.

But very few anthropologists in the US are willing to wear a uniform and receive the mandatory weapons training.

In fact, a group known as the Network of Concerned Anthropologists has already circulated a pledge of non-participation in the Pentagon's counter-insurgency efforts.


Rest of article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7042090.stm

[NYVet]

1. Dupe threads

Located here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2066228&mesg_id=2066228 and http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=259x5012