The Inadequacy of US Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan Literature review

The Inadequacy of US Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan - Literature review Example 1). This research work aims at assessing the effectiveness of the counterinsurgency measures adopted by the U.S. in Afghanistan. Background of the Problem The principal argument of this study is that the US should deploy its resources in a manner that promote capabilities, which improve the competence of the Afghan government and its security forces, in conducting counterinsurgency operations. There have been several instances, wherein the US forces have enraged the Afghan villagers. This has been attributed to the ignorance among these soldiers, regarding the cultural and social traditions of the Afghans. It has been suggested that the US forces should abstain from interacting with the people and permit the Afghan authorities to take the necessary steps (Jones, 2008, p. 93). A major feature of counterinsurgency (COIN) warfare is the battle to win over the hearts and minds of the target population. This has been attempted even with the most seemingly isolated members of the populatio n, in remote villages and rural regions. For this purpose shortwave radio has been employed. This initiative would further alienate the Afghans towards the Karzai government, which is detested in the extreme; local politicians; governors; tribal chiefs; warlords and militia commanders, who are supporters of the highly unpopular Karzai administration (Kilcullen, 2009, pp. 50 – 51). Assistance has been scanty if not totally absent, in the rural areas. These areas had been at the greatest risk from the Taliban, and had been totally dissatisfied with the almost non – existent change. The fate of counterinsurgency in Afghanistan will be determined by what happens in rural Afghanistan. The developments in the urban regions will have little if any bearing on the success of failure of counterinsurgency (Jones, 2008, p. 4). Consequently, counterinsurgency has to reach such people. Rationale How effective was the U.S. Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan? I have examined the relevan t literature pertaining to the present topic, by eminent scholars, like Jones, Kilcullen, Ganesh Sitaraman, Mark, Johnson, Schreer, for answering the question. I have examined strategies, such as the traditional social hierarchies and the different forms of legitimacy, local, specialised knowledge trumps doctrine and theory. I have obtained information regarding the actual state of affairs with regard to fair elections, rule of law, and economic development in Afghanistan. The opinion of the authorities in this area, has contributed to the assessment of the situation. Issues, such as the exercise of power by the government, harmonisation of development, governance and security were provided by Mark. Positive elements in the extant literature, with respect to counterinsurgency are the unbiased opinion of eminent scholars and the provision of the true picture regarding the present situation, regarding the governance of Afghanistan. I will further investigate these issues, after applyi ng the relevant theories and strategies, pertaining to the counterinsurgency measures. As such, I can expand my research on the issues discussed in the literature, and arrive at better conclusions regarding the current problem. Hypothesis The counterinsurgency measures adopted by the US in Afghanistan have proved to be inadequate. This synopsis of insurgency in Afghanistan, brings to the fore the factors that had ensured the success of insurgencies in the past; external support, variations in the quality of the security forces, and challenges to governance. Research Questions What is insurgence?

E-Procurement Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

E-Procurement - Literature review Example Usual methods of procurement have lots of paper work processing, which requires a huge amount of money and time. E-procurement has reduced this work largely. E-procurement is a chief element of B2B ecommerce and it can be used in markets and industries in wide range. Business organizations buy many products of diverse varieties, ranging from paper clips to computer systems and from steel to equipments. They buy raw material inputs, which directly go in manufacturing process and the raw materials that need some repairing and maintenance before going into manufacturing process. There are thousands of other items purchased by an organization and keeping their receipts in record is very necessary for organizations to maintain professionalism. The main driver of e-procurement is cost-reduction attained from competencies resulting in less staff time spent in looking for and ordering products and integrating deliveries with invoices. Savings also take place with automatic corroboration of p re approved expenditure budgets for individuals or organizations leading to less time necessary for processing each order (Turban, pp.251-252, 2010). Automatic ordering, delivery, confirmations, payment, and inventory information diminish paper work, costs of paper-based ordering forms, storage space for credentials, records, and better information management. Indirect benefits of e-procurement include a shorter cycle time between order and use of supplies, greater suppleness in ordering products from different suppliers, amplified buyer productivity, and lower prices through product standardization and union of buyers (Havaldar, pp.379-382, 2010). Benefits to buyers of e-procurement include gain from improved pricing of goods and services, cost savings in the running of procurement processes, merger of buyer's sub entities into a single buying unit, and minimized costs through purchasing aggregation for some items. Other intangible benefits include enhancement in operations support , employee efficiency, evident purchasing behavior of business partners and supplier performance. Decline in procurement-to-pay cycle time and costs associated with outsourcing procurement and it helps maintaining smooth procurement operations. It also causes huge savings in invoice, finance, goods insurance, and delivery (Gay, Charlesworth & Esen, pp.474-475, 2007). Conversely, suppliers benefit from lower managerial costs, use of standard online catalogues that can be quickly updated with new product information, more effectual targeting, and access to a wider range of buyers (Babin & Weiss, pp.89-91, 2009). Additionally, lower inventory and warehousing costs are also the advantages of suppliers. Other opportunities contain lesser advertising, selling and service costs, extended product and service offerings, enhanced cash flow through better inventory returns and accounts receivables, a more thorough anticipation about a buyer's purchasing needs, and immediate responsiveness to a buyer's needs (N, pp.28-29, 2004). Nevertheless, for each e-marketplace contributor, the benefits will differ according to the contributor’s position. As buyers go for e- procurement, suppliers may not have any other option rather than joining in. The majority of suppliers are also buyers; therefore, net result is an increased involvement in e-procurement. E-procurement offers benefits in many

Whitman Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whitman Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Love is the greatest gift that God has bestowed upon mankind. Defining love is different for every culture, race, and religion. Walt Whitman’s love is ever changing for anyone who tries to love him or understand his work. Love can be broken down into a multitude of emotions, and feelings towards someone or some object. In order to find love that is searched for, preparations must be made to allow the full experience of Whoever You Are Holding Me Now in Hand by Walt Whitman to be pious. Walt Whitman’s poem is devoted to the fullness of love, and a description of fantasy and reality. A journey to find love starts with knowledge that both participants are willing, and able to consummate their love in judgment under God. Time is the greatest accomplice to justify the energy and sacrifice needed to start developing the ingredients needed for love to grow. Each stanza is a new ingredient to add to the next stanza. Over time, this addition of each stanza wi ll eventually lead to a conclusion. A conclusion that love is ever changing, and people must either change along with love or never know the miracle of love.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines love as a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. Love is a journey that begins by building a foundation of trust, commitment, and understanding. The speaker is thorough and demanding to the point that the speaker becomes a faà §ade to keep prospective loves away. Without love as the speaker begins to say life becomes pointless.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Without one thing all will be useless, (Whitman 2) The listener does not comprehend where the speaker is coming from at first. An example of emotions that are ebbing would be the calm before the storm. A nervousness that is powerless to prevent what the inevitable outcome will be. The speaker knows what it would take to mature fully a relationship that love could blossom out of. Unaware is the listener of the intent of the speaker to dishearten any further a seed that never had the chance to amply develop love. Love is funny when it becomes the focal point in a relationship. This time usually comes after the period of adjustment between two people who have decided to further enhance their love experience. Questions begin to a... ...ionships that stay together without love. Everyone should be taught how to search the soul for their emotional state of mind that they are in before they get involved in a relationship. Love, emotions, and relationships should all come with instructions to be read before opening. Walt puts perspective on reality and fantasy when it comes to relationship. The deeper the love is for one another will allow the couple to grow not only physically, but most importantly the couple becomes closer spiritually. Spirituality is the final step in the journey of love. Spirituality takes precedence over every aspect of human nature. That euphoria that is also understood to be the blessings of our Father in Heaven.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Works Cited Baym, Nina. â€Å"The Norton Anthology of American Literature.† Rev. 6 ed W.W. Norton & Company: New York, 2003. Common Questions on Walt Whitman. 2 February 2005 http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu. Poems and Biography by AmericanPoems.com. 2 February 2005 http://www.americanpoems.com. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated: Springfield, Mass, 2003.

Costing Methods Paper Essay

Variable and absorption costing methods are two different costing methods. Almost all successful companies in the world use both methods. Variable costing and absorption costing cannot be substituted for one another because both the systems have their own benefits and limitations (Accounting for management). This paper will complete and discuss exercise 19-17 in Wiley Plus: it will discuss the following questions: In this case, would it be better to use the variable or absorption costing method, and why? In this example Polk Company should use the absorption method, because the absorption only uses overhead that allocates to the 80,000 units sold. Whereas the variable method counts the fixed overhead as a period expense, the fixed overhead during this period is calculated on 95,000 units produced, when the absorption method is used. The variable method just calculates fixed overhead on 80,000 units sold. What are the benefits of the two methods? Both systems have their own benefits and limitations. The absorption method gives management information of product cost this is the main benefit of the absorption method. The benefit of the variable method is it gives an output the mimics the cash flow of the company. Which method would lead to the best decision when a competitor is submitting a lower bid for your product? The absorption method would be best although both methods are used, with variable costing expenses remains the same, and with the absorption method fixed production cost are period cost. Variable costing method helps with demand based pricing. References Accounting for management. (n.d.). Variable costing versus absorption costing. Retrieved from http://www.accountingformanagement.org/variable-vs-absorption-costing/

Graduation Speech High School Dropout - 870 Words

As a Sophomore in college I am determined to graduate and complete all requirements for my Associates degree with an excellent grade point average this upcoming summer from a two-year community college. I started my first year of college off to an excellent start. I finished my freshman year with outstanding grades in which I was offered into the honors program and academic letter form the dean. My sophomore year has also been worthwhile since I received a 4.0 grade point average for the fall semester in which I made the dean’s list with another merit recognition. I plan to transfer to a Florida university to pursue and further my studies in Elementary Education as well as the Arts ultimately to become a well-rounded educator and successful artist. While pursuing my high school diploma I knew failure was not an option and obtaining my high school diploma was a requirement to my success. My father did not complete high school therefore, he was classified as a high school dropout and my mother was a single teenage parent. My mother is a true inspiration. If she could achieve her academic goals when faced with adversity so could I and so I did. The ultimate accomplishment throughout my entire schooling as a student was to graduate high school and I succeeded. I received my high school diploma with honors, Class of 2014. The majority of my volunteer experience has been involved with helping children learn in school. I volunteered as a child care coordinator at the Halle MartinShow MoreRelatedGraduation Speech : A Rite Of Passage1527 Words   |  7 PagesFor many adolescent individuals in America, graduation is considered a rite of passage. Often, Americans couple graduation with a celebration of opening a new chapter of their life. Specifically, transitioning from a high school student to a graduate. In this essay I will explain what a rite of passage is and what graduation is. Also, I will discuss how graduation is approached as a rite of passage in my culture, and what celebration in regards to graduation looks like and means to many. Almost allRead MoreCyberbullying And Its Effects On Society899 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout high school, we have all witnessed bullying. Some cases more severe than others. One well known way is through social network. This is called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs when a minor is targeted in some form-- threatened humiliated, harassed-- by another, and it is not to be confused with cyber-stalking or cyber-harassment, which involves an adult. Not limited to the internet cyberbullying can spread by cell phones or other digital devices (Surdin, 2009). Cyberbullying has causedRead MoreHow High School Dropouts Affect American Society Essay2479 Words   |  10 PagesThe dropout problem is not only an individual problem, but it is costly to society as a whole. Warren Halpen-Manners (2007) explained, â€Å"high school dropouts is of fundamental social, economic, and political importance and has major implications for educational policy and practice, patterns of economic and raci al/ethnic inequality, and the quality of America’s workforce† (p. 335). Coupled with that, Neild et al (2008) further argued going through the portal into adult life without high school credentialsRead MoreReflection Paper On Steve Jobs962 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"This is the closest I’ve been to a graduation.† These words spoken humbly and authentic, by the late Steve Jobs at a commencement ceremony for the class of 2005 at the very prestigious Stanford University, was the beginning of a masterpiece, a speech that was designed to encourage and empower those young college graduates to take on the world, trust their gut, and follow their dreams and aspirations in life. Significantly, Jobs grabs and holds the attention of his young audience by recounting 3Read MoreAlbert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879. He was born in the city of Ulm, Wurtemberg, Germany. He800 Words   |  4 PagesEinstein had only one sister named Maja Einstein she was two years y ounger than Albert. Albert Einstein went to Luitpold Gymnasium elementary school in Munich, he came through with his studies. Albert liked old music and he played the violin. Albert felt alone and he struggled with harsh Prussian education he was receiving from there. He also had a speech difficulty, his speaking was he did stop to see what he was going to say next. In his later years he wrote about two events that made a mark onRead MoreGraduation Speech : College Is The Lock907 Words   |  4 PagesOn graduation day, universities and colleges grant their students with an official piece of paper stating that they have earned a degree of their interest. Most, if not everyone sees it as another form of money paper, because basically after the two, four or five years in college, this certificate is our primary income. The idea I see and hear a lot from the society and mostly from parents, that education will increase your chances of getting a job, provides you an opportunity to be more successfulRead MoreMental Health And Academic Success1089 Words   |  5 Pagesask what does a stable mental state look like. After comparing the two, it is important to also ask what affects a student s mental state? What situations or issues cause students the most stress, and lastly how does mental instability coincide graduation rates. Villagomez 3 Running Head: Mental Health and Academic Success An increase in mental disorders among students calls for a college-wide policy in order to bring awareness and should be dependent on the coordination and combination ofRead MoreThe Social Contract Between Teachers and Students: Problems with Education1699 Words   |  7 PagesMean?†, Andrew Heinze asks what should professors at educational institutions do to accommodate the needs of students and address the problem with college students not comprehending basic vocabulary, and the impact this has on their performance in school. In order to address this education gap a few things need to be called to action and or either accomplished: attrition rate of teachers, parents of students need to become more involved in their children’s education, the lack of reading comprehensionRead MoreThe Adoption Of The Common Core State Standards3072 Words   |  13 Pagesadoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in math and English for grades k-12 by the California State Board of Education (SBE); nineteen months later in March of 2012 the SBE approved an implementation plan to serve as a timeline for California schools to support and execute new CCSS curriculum, with corresponding teaching resources, and assessment of students using new assessment tools grounded in the new standards framework (cde.ca.gov. p. 11). â€Å"Preparing students to transition without remediationRead MoreEssay on Hispanic Struggles in American Schools3861 Words   |  16 PagesChallenges Faced by Hispanic Students in American Schools and How Schools Can Address Identified Needs I completed the work I am submitting. The work I am submitting is original and completed to the best of my ability. Abstract The United States Hispanic population continues to increase each year. In turn, school populations of Hispanics increase as well. Hispanics, although improving academically, continue to have high school dropout rates, higher than other racial and ethnic groups

Critical Reading What Does It Really Mean

You are often told to give a book a good critical reading. But do you know what that really means? Critical reading means reading with the goal of finding a deep understanding of a material, whether it is fiction or nonfiction. It is the act of analyzing and evaluating what you are reading as you make your way through the text  or as you reflect back upon your reading. Using Your Head When you read a piece of fiction critically, you use your common sense to determine what the writer means, as opposed to what the written words actually say. The following passage appears in The Red Badge of Courage, the classic Civil War-era work by Stephen Crane. In this passage, the main character, Henry Fleming, has just returned from battle and is now receiving treatment for a nasty head wound. Yeh dont holler ner say nothin... an yeh never squeaked. Yer a good un, Henry. Most a men would a been in th hospital long ago. A shot in th head aint foolin business... The point seems clear enough. Henry is receiving praise for his apparent fortitude and bravery. But what is really happening in this scene? During the confusion and terror of the battle, Henry Fleming had actually panicked and run away, abandoning his fellow soldiers in the process. He had received the blow in the chaos of retreat; not the frenzy of battle. In this scene, he was feeling ashamed of himself. When you read this passage critically, you actually read between the lines. By doing so, you determine the message that the author is really conveying. The words speak of bravery, but the real message of this scene is concerned feelings of  cowardice that tormented Henry. Shortly after the scene above, Fleming realizes that nobody in the entire regiment knows the truth about his wound. They all believe that the wound was the result of fighting in the battle: His self-pride was now entirely restored....He had performed his mistakes in the dark, so he was still a man. Despite the claim that Henry feels relieved, we know by reflecting and thinking critically that Henry isnt really comforted. By reading between the lines, we know he is deeply bothered by the sham. What's the Lesson? One way to read a novel critically is to be aware of the lessons or messages that a writer is sending in a subtle way. After reading The Red Badge of Courage, a critical reader would reflect back on the many scenes and look for a lesson or a message. What is the writer trying to say about courage and war? The good news is, there isnt a right or wrong answer. Its the act of forming a question and offering your own opinion that counts. Nonfiction Nonfiction writing can be just as tricky to evaluate as fiction, although there are differences. Nonfiction writing normally involves a series of statements that are backed by evidence. As a critical reader, you will need to be mindful of this process. The goal of critical thinking is to evaluate information in an unbiased way. This includes being open to changing your mind about a subject if the good evidence exists. However, you should also try not to be influenced by unsound evidence. The trick to critical reading in nonfiction is to know how to separate the good evidence from the bad. There are signs to look out for when it comes to misleading or bad evidence. Assumptions Watch for broad, unsupported statements like most people in the pre-war South approved of slavery. Every time you see a statement, ask yourself if the author provides any evidence to back up his point. Implications Be mindful of subtle statements such as Statistics support those who argue that boys are better at math than girls, so why should this be such a controversial issue? Dont become distracted by the fact that some people do believe that males are naturally better at math, and address that issue. When you do this, you are accepting the implication and, therefore, falling for bad evidence. The point is, in critical reading, that the author has not provided statistics; he merely implied that statistics exist.

What Makes You Happy - 923 Words

Particularly, genuinely true consistent happiness is achievable through an attitude of gratitude. Throughout the generations, humans have long sought to grasp the concept of living in a consistent state of happiness. Proof of this can be found in the constitution of the United States, as their forth fathers placed emphasis on the freedom to the pursuit of happiness. In today’s culture, it is often heard the saying. â€Å"Do what makes you happy†. Likewise, Parents tell their kids to choose true happiness as a priority in their lives. The emphasis on happiness comes from a true fact. In comparison to unhappy individuals, happy individuals are more productive at work and have higher incomes, are more tolerant, creative, decisive, persistent, emphatic, have more friends and better marriages (Seligman, 2002) Abascal, J., Brucato, L., Stephenson, P., Brucato, D. (2009). Furthermore, consistent Happiness might be a bit more complex that one may think. It is a road of many paths, some path that move or disappear and some that lead in the wrong direction. Even so, gratitude may be the road map to consistent happiness. First of all, to some people, happiness based on positive emotions may be short lived. As ever changing human beings, evolution has taught us to adapt, survive and sustain ourselves by forming communities, stablishing civilization and adhering to climate and circumstantial changes. Even so now, as a part of our adaptability, we tend to adapt to fortunate circumstancesShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes You Happy?896 Words   |  4 Pageslake. The evening is nice and peaceful, the weather is just right, and you’re enjoying a bonfire with your family and friends. This in particular makes me happy. The question is, what makes you happy? Is it family, friends, music, food, money? The list just keep on going. The happiness in our lives is endless. There are many factors that contribute to a happy and fulfilling life. Some psychologists are begi nning to understand a variety of aspects that contribute to living a successful life. Such as lifeRead MoreWhat Makes You Happy And Don  ¬Ã‚ ¥ T Be Afraid909 Words   |  4 PagesStrength is what makes people to keep trying over and over again. Don’t cry, don’t let those tears fall, my mind said. Never give up; if someone else can do it, you can do it too. Look for what you want and follow the path you want to, for your life. Do what makes you happy and don ´t be afraid, if it is meant to be yours it will be. In this way you might find some troubles and bumps to avoid, but nothing that with a little bit of divine help call â€Å"Faith† cannot fix. These ones were the words a voiceRead MoreWhat Makes A Happy Marriage Doesn t Mean You Have A Perfect?910 Words   |  4 PagesRomance â€Å"A happy marriage doesn’t mean you have a perfect spouse or a perfect marriage. It simply means you’ve chosen to look beyond the imperfections in both.† ~Fawn Weaver If you’ve been married for any significant amount of time, you surely realize by now that having and keeping a great marriage takes work, it doesn’t just happen. It takes unconditional love, trust, communication, patience, forgiveness, compromise, and more than just a little bit of romance. Remember those days when you were firstRead MorePersonal Note On Happiness And Happiness968 Words   |  4 Pagessomeone what makes them happy, you more than likely would receive a million different answers. The general definition of happiness or being happy is a state of well-being and contentment, or a pleasurable or satisfying experience. An individual’s definition of happiness more as excitement increase in the tendency to choose ab exciting option over a calming option; and defining happiness more as feeling calm increase the tendency to choose a calming option over exciting option. So, what makes peopleRead MoreThe Book Happy : Happy896 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is happiness? The answers are endless, some people finding something more relatable than others. In the United States, we are given the freedom of speech, and everyone has his or her own opinion. Based on opinion it makes the world a different place. We are not all the same which is better. Happiness is someth ing that can be taken it different ways, like the way it looks and feels but scientist and personal experiences show how it really is. Personally what makes me the happiest is on sportsRead MoreWhat Makes Up a Happy Family Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesWhat Makes Up a Happy Family Is There Such A Thing? Estefania Ayala Keiser University Abstract Family is important as it is also important to have a happy family. We might think at times what makes a happy family? Is there such a thing as a happy family? Or is it possible to have a happy family. Having a happy family as we all might know is not an easy task to do, but it is neither impossible. What we can do is search for element to guide us through a happy family. I understand that no oneRead MoreThe Importance Of Happiness713 Words   |  3 PagesHappiness is a choice, and its only our choice. No matter what the circumstances are in our lives, we get to choose what emotion we want to react with. People show different ranges of emotions which can be caused by other people, but ultimately we choose our emotions with our mind and hearts. It doesnt matter what has happened in your life today, you can still choose to be happy. By choosing to be unhappy you put yourself in a sorrowful and melancholia mindset, which isnt good for your mentalRead MoreThe Happy, Film, You Look At Yo urself And How You View The Meaning Happy1345 Words   |  6 PagesAfter watching the â€Å"Happy† film, you look at yourself and how you view the meaning happy. You begin asking yourself questions to find an answer after analyzing your life, Am I truly happy? Why am I or am I not happy? Everyone in the documentary shared what made them happy and some had nothing but didn’t care because they were surrounded by family and friends, which showed that’s all they needed. What moved me after watching the film was how happiness is taken for granted. What people I encounterRead MoreDefining What Happiness Is All About Essay921 Words   |  4 PagesDefining What Happiness Is All About By Vaishnavi S | Submitted On June 10, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Vaishnavi S What is happiness? There is no definitive meaning to happinessRead MoreLife Is An End Activity Based Solely Upon Us Through Choice, Virtue, And Character1307 Words   |  6 Pagesthousand years apart. Osteen a very well known pastor, gives a sermon on modern views of how to be happy. He makes it very clear throughout his sermon that happiness is a choice. For example he clearly says, â€Å"Happiness is a choice†. He also states, â€Å"You only allow things you want to frustrate you† here he is implying that you can allow things to frustrate you. If you can allow something to frustrate you, or be unbothered by it then it becomes a choice. Osteen also touches on the subject of your character