Unity of effort: Why military and political coordination is vital to success in Iraq and Syria

Combined-interagency operations are a force-multiplying. Although structures have been developed which facilitate interagency operating and decision-making, cultural differences and misinterpretation of strategic intent between the Department of State and the Pentagon, as well as between civilian and military personnel in theatre, often undermine the unity of effort required to achieve COIN strategic objectives. Simple, yet strategically significant efforts, such as collocating senior civilian and military personnel generate more agility and speed in dealing with rapidly developing crisies.” These attributes should be a basal requirement in contemporary stability and reconstruction campaigns, especially in combined efforts involving allies and partners who may have a military and diplomatic culture which does not necessarily reflect that of the senior partner(s).