Monday, April 30, 2007
SWJ BLOG: THE THIRD GENERATION GANGS OF IRAQ
The SWJ Blog is developing very nicely in terms of steadily drawing high quality contributors. The latest examples are Dr. Robert J. Bunker ( Non-State Threats and Future Wars) and John P. Sullivan ( Center for Advanced Studies on Terrorism). They have a post up entitled:
"Iraq & the Americas: 3 GEN Gangs Lessons and Prospects"
"Gangs and Iraqi insurgents, militias, and other non-state groups share common origins based on tribalism, and therefore, it is expected that they will exhibit similar structures and behaviors. It is our belief that further insight into Iraq’s present situation and future prospects may be derived from a perspective utilizing 3rd generation gang (3 GEN Gangs) studies which present lessons learned from the emergence and spread of gangs within the United States, and other parts of the world, over roughly the last four decades. (1) Basically, from a 3 GEN Gangs perspective, three generations of gangs have been found to exist: turf based, drug based, and mercenary based. The first generation gangs, comprising the vast majority, focus on protecting their turf. These gangs, the least developed of the three generational forms, provide both protection and identity to their members and little more. While some drug dealing is evident, it tends with these gangs to be a sideline activity.
....From a 3 GEN Gangs perspective, Iraq has been essentially overrun by 3rd generation gangs and their criminal-soldier equivalents. This is reminiscent of the nightmare scenario for the US already starting to develop in Central and South America (and, to a lesser extent, within the US) with the emergence, growth, and expansion of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and other Maras. In many ways, the ‘Gangs of Iraq’ are a prelude to the ‘Gangs of the Americas’ that we will be increasingly facing in the Western Hemisphere."
This brings to mind the analysis of RAND scholar, David Ronfeldt in his excellent working paper " In Search of How Societies Work: Tribes - The First And Forever Form ".
"
The SWJ Blog is developing very nicely in terms of steadily drawing high quality contributors. The latest examples are Dr. Robert J. Bunker ( Non-State Threats and Future Wars) and John P. Sullivan ( Center for Advanced Studies on Terrorism). They have a post up entitled:
"Iraq & the Americas: 3 GEN Gangs Lessons and Prospects"
"Gangs and Iraqi insurgents, militias, and other non-state groups share common origins based on tribalism, and therefore, it is expected that they will exhibit similar structures and behaviors. It is our belief that further insight into Iraq’s present situation and future prospects may be derived from a perspective utilizing 3rd generation gang (3 GEN Gangs) studies which present lessons learned from the emergence and spread of gangs within the United States, and other parts of the world, over roughly the last four decades. (1) Basically, from a 3 GEN Gangs perspective, three generations of gangs have been found to exist: turf based, drug based, and mercenary based. The first generation gangs, comprising the vast majority, focus on protecting their turf. These gangs, the least developed of the three generational forms, provide both protection and identity to their members and little more. While some drug dealing is evident, it tends with these gangs to be a sideline activity.
....From a 3 GEN Gangs perspective, Iraq has been essentially overrun by 3rd generation gangs and their criminal-soldier equivalents. This is reminiscent of the nightmare scenario for the US already starting to develop in Central and South America (and, to a lesser extent, within the US) with the emergence, growth, and expansion of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and other Maras. In many ways, the ‘Gangs of Iraq’ are a prelude to the ‘Gangs of the Americas’ that we will be increasingly facing in the Western Hemisphere."
This brings to mind the analysis of RAND scholar, David Ronfeldt in his excellent working paper " In Search of How Societies Work: Tribes - The First And Forever Form ".
"
Labels: 3 gen gangs, criminals, david ronfeldt, gangs, insurgency, iraq, john p. sullivan, military, robert j. bunker, swj blog, theory, tribes, war, warriors
¶ 6:44 PM
Comments:
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Sounds a bit buzzwordy.
"1 GEN" gangs are suppliers of public goods, mainly security. They earn a profit through taxation.
"2 GEN" gangs are suppliers of private goods, mainly drugs. They earn a profit selling these goods to customers.
"3 GEN" gangs would appear to be a sub-contractor of "1 GEN" gangs. For instance, a number of brothers who join a "1 GEN" gang together would, presumably, be in their own "3 GEN" gang among themselves.
"1 GEN" gangs are suppliers of public goods, mainly security. They earn a profit through taxation.
"2 GEN" gangs are suppliers of private goods, mainly drugs. They earn a profit selling these goods to customers.
"3 GEN" gangs would appear to be a sub-contractor of "1 GEN" gangs. For instance, a number of brothers who join a "1 GEN" gang together would, presumably, be in their own "3 GEN" gang among themselves.
Hi Dan,
I'd like to see Bunker's longer work in this area.
Not sure I agree with # 1. Residents might view 1st Gen gangs as protection or a nuisance/threat depending on the relationship with the larger community and authorities.
I'd like to see Bunker's longer work in this area.
Not sure I agree with # 1. Residents might view 1st Gen gangs as protection or a nuisance/threat depending on the relationship with the larger community and authorities.
Residents might view 1st Gen gangs as protection or a nuisance/threat
Like any government, they would be both at the same time. I enjoy the safety I gain from being an American citizen. I don't love the IRS, however.
Al Capone thought the same of the Treasury boys, and I'm sure Chicagoans thought the same of Al.
PS: I integrated this post into my initial reaction of Brave New War.
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Like any government, they would be both at the same time. I enjoy the safety I gain from being an American citizen. I don't love the IRS, however.
Al Capone thought the same of the Treasury boys, and I'm sure Chicagoans thought the same of Al.
PS: I integrated this post into my initial reaction of Brave New War.
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