Iraq Papers - 2008
The file below is a compilation of my weekly reports during 2008 in Iraq. I was the USAID Team Leader on the Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team -(ePRT) North Babel. We were embedded with the 3rd infantry division 4th brigade combat team.
Progress Against Insurgency in North Babil - Michael Maxey
2008, USAID Iraq
MIT Study - "Can Hearts and Minds be Bought?"
MIT Study - "Can Hearts and Minds be Bought?"
Can Hearts and Minds Be Bought?
Lessons from the MIT Study and North Babil, Iraq Counterinsurgency Efforts
Thoughts on a major study by MIT researchers on counterinsurgency in Iraq compared with real-world efforts in North Babil, Iraq between 2006 and 2008.
MIT Study - The study asks: Can we reduce violence by improving people’s lives?
Answer: Yes — but only if the improvements are done in the right way, in the right place, and at the right time. Small, local projects (like fixing water or creating jobs) worked best when people felt safe and were willing to share information about insurgents.
What Happened in North Babil?
From 2006 to 2008, U.S. and Iraqi teams used funds from CERP and USAID to:
- Improve services like electricity and water
- Launch small businesses (like fish farms)
- Support agriculture and local governance
- Involve community leaders (like the Sons of Iraq)
Result: Attacks on U.S. forces dropped sharply—from 544 in May 2007 to just 61 in August 2008.
Where the Study and North Babil Results Agree
1. Small Projects Matter – Fast, local projects had the most visible impact.
2. Trust = Security = Less Violence – Trust led to cooperation, which helped reduce attacks.
3. Relationships are Key – Programs that involved locals (like CAP) worked best.
What Can We Learn?
The importance of on-the-ground actors is critical to implementing an effective counter-insurgency strategy. USAID deployment to war zones provided significant support for a locally led development approach. This was not “nation building” this was community empowerment at a local level and it saved lives.
1. You Can’t Just Throw Money at a Problem – Community involvement matters.
2. Information Wins the War – Trust leads to tips and reduced violence.
3. Local Voices Are Powerful – Empowering local leaders builds peace.
4. Quick Wins Build Momentum – Small victories help build long-term trust.
Final Thought
Think of insurgency like a neighborhood problem. If your community is struggling, but someone helps with jobs, safety, and repairs, you're more likely to stand together against crime. That’s the power of smart, people-centered programs. Winning hearts and minds isn’t about buying love—it’s about showing up, listening, and doing the small things that prove you care.