Persuasion and Coercion in COIN Warfare,

    QUESTION: Birtle’s article “Persuasion and Coercion in COIN Warfare," he argues that the coercive measures almost always must precede a plan to win the hearts and mind of the people- In Tatham’s article, “US Information Operations & Strategic Communications: A Discredited Tool or User Failure?” he similarly asserts that the relationship between attitudes and behaviors is “challenging" and that “evidence showing [that] attitudes lead to behaviors is weak, whereas evidence showing [that] behavior leads to attitudes is stronger.” These two authors seem to be out step with current US. military thinking about how to change a target audience’s behavior. Who is correct, the US. military or the two authors? Are these two approaches incompatible? You must reference the course readings to facilitate your answer: 0 Tatham, US Information Operations & Strategic Communications: A Discredited Tool or User Failure?