One of the problems with the kill-or-capture metric is that it has often been to the exclusion of having a deeper, richer understanding of the movement, its origins, and our adversaries' mindset. The nuances are absolutely critical. Our adversaries are wedded to the ideology that informs and fuels their struggle, and, by not paying attention, we risk not knowing our enemy.
Interpretation
Understanding the complexities of adversaries is crucial for effective action.
In this quote, Bruce Hoffman emphasizes the importance of comprehending the deeper ideological motivations behind adversaries' actions. He argues that a narrow focus on kill-or-capture metrics risks overlooking the intricacies of the enemy's beliefs and strategies, which are essential for discerning the true nature of the conflict and crafting effective responses.
In practice
During a discussion on military strategy, one might refer to Hoffman's quote to highlight the importance of understanding the enemy's motivations.
A building is akin to dogma; it is insolent, like dogma. Whether or no it is permanent, it claims permanence, like a dogma. People ask why we have no typical architecture of the modern world, like impressionism in painting. Surely it is obviously because we have not enough dogmas; we cannot bear to see anything in the sky that is solid and enduring, anything in the sky that does not change like the clouds of the sky.
Meditation, then, is not so much a part of this or that particular religion, but rather part of the universal spiritual culture of all humankind--an effort to bring awareness to bear on all aspects of life. It is, in other words, part of what has been called the perennial philosophy.
The salvation of mankind lies only in making everything the concern of all.
The reader becomes God, for all textual purposes. I see your eyes glazing over, so I'll hush.
We have so exalted a notion of the human soul that we cannot bear to be despised, or even not to be esteemed by it. Man, in fact, places all his happiness in this esteem.
The celebrity syndrome. When people forget who they are and start to believe what other people say about them.
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