Go Peter, Go.

I found your book and blog to be even-handed and fair.

Don't let them bully you.

Carry on the good fight.

I've read the book, and having spent 3 years in Iraq (2005-2008), I fully agree with everthing in the book.

I was stationed in the Green Zone, and while I was not part of a PRT, the isssues he brings up are very real and the scenarios are common. His introduction to the "program" mirrored my own - stateside, the instructors had no knowledge of the situation on the ground, the training was minimal and not directed toward the goal of "nation building", and concentrated on the "clash of cultures" between Christianity and Islam. Instead, the training should have concentrated on working in a corrupt and paternalistic culture and how that contrasts with "Western" thinking.

Of note is that during my third year, I found a very valuable book about Arab culture - The Arab Mind which should have been the textbook used in training. This book was evidently mandatory reading for the Marines, but never mentioned to the other branches of the military nor the civilian employees.

The lack of expertise in the various PRTs is due to both a function of recruiting civilians, and the "deploy as a unit" mentality of the military. My military branch was Civil Affairs, which, as a branch of the Army Reserves, is staffed with individuals having hands-on experience in everything needed to help in the reconstruction and development of a basic society. However, instead of putting out a call for engineers, for example, the units were deployed to one area, for one project, thereby wasting the non-engineering skills that were available. Doctrine (and yes, I've read Patreus's book and it was a rehash of existing doctrine with no new ideas), emphasizes that Civil Affairs units are used as a force-multiplier and follow-on units to remediate the damage that battles cause.

If there is anything eye-opening in this article, it is that we have yet another example of an apparently articulate, educated American citizen --in this case one with a social conscience, somebody who ought to have a clue in other words, finding himself blindsided by the senseless bullying so characteristic of all levels of his country's government. He is to be congratulated on having his eyes opened and surviving the process, but the wonder is that anyone like this still exists.

Here's hoping he never forgets that having anything to do with American officialdom is akin to keeping a 200 lb. green anaconda as a house pet: you never know when its primitive brain is going fixate on you as either a threat or as a lunch. With enough muscle & a good sharp knife you might manage to eventually escape the coils, with the government it's nearly impossible. Just ask Dr. Mudd.

The Truth is the enemy of those who would keep the people ignorant, whether here or in China or Iran. The State Department is keeping strange company. Maybe Mrs. Clinton should investigate.

i Agree in whether here or in China or Iran. The State Department is keeping strange company. Maybe Mrs. Clinton should investigate, excellent work! Thanks !
Ar Condicionado Imoveis Acompanhante Massagistas

Like most sclerotic institutions, the State Dept. is permeated with "group think" mentality. In some sense, it has to be that way because there are a lot of smart people at State and they want to keep the muzzle on. But it does seem that big corporations, churches, and the Dept. of State as well have a tendency to railroad their ideas through a mill of yes-men and fanatical and ambitious career climbers.

I agree with Mr. van Buren wholeheartedly. We hated coming into any area that the State Department teams had been through--they would promise the world and then never deliver, cultural suicide in the Arab world. In Salah al Din province, $10,000 in CERP funds were designated for a destitute orphanage and provided without proper oversight. The director of the orphanage used the funds to erect a memorial to the guy who threw the shoe at Bush. The medical PRT there tried hard to be effective, but the most effective projects by far--medical training and cooperative treatment provided by the military--was discontinued. For the past 4 years, American military hospitals have also been forbidden to treat any non-active duty US citizens or contractors in Iraq (90% of whom are supporting the military) unless they have a life-threatening emergency. US citizens were denied access to simple care--antibiotics for infections, suturing for minor wounds, care for bronchitis, etc.--and told to go to Iraqi hospitals or buy drugs on the open market. Hearts and minds? I watched a pro-American Iraqi man (working for US contractors) who had been hit by shrapnel stripped down to his shorts by a female US nurse ON THE SIDEWALK in front of the military hospital and then turned away because his wounds weren't serious enough. That situation was saved by PSD medics who stepped up to treat the guy.
We throw money at stupid projects, and don't even take care of our own people. And don't try to get into the US Embassy in Baghdad with a US passport--the Peruvian guards (most of whom don't speak English) won't let you in the gatehouse. US active duty military, from Generals on down, must surrender their weapons before they enter the Embassy (apparently the DOS doesn't trust the US military). In the US Embassy, you can buy any kind of liquor and more than one Embassy staffer has turned up at meeting badly hung over. If you could see the massive amounts of money being wasted so Embassy staffers can party and live in conditions better than most working Americans, you would understand why many Americans and most of the Iraqis don't respect them.
There are good people in the US State Department in Iraq--but most of them are not in the position to truly influence policy in a meaningful way.

Good man! You are a good American and a good man. Thank you for talking about things the way you have. My blog has been hit a few times, but not by the DOS, yet.

God Bless

Tell them you'll start naming names if you're not going to be given security clearance - and the more trouble they give you, the higher ranking the names will get.

Peter, I find the nonsensical approach to the application of "SECURITY" to be one of the most obscene and disgustingly obvious flaws in the world.
For these twats, one and all to proclaim their love of " Democracy " and then to turn around and persecute you and others such as Pvt. Bradley Manning a travesty, not only of justice but of plain good ol' fashioned common sense.
No one who has half a brain, would or could agree that the application of security measures after the fact and then to punish the offenders is worthy of a governmental position. I also find it appalling that the persecution of people like yourself, a person who has dedicated their life to the US, can even take place.
Surely these twats have read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? If not, then
I firmly believe that everyone so not inclined should have a crash course in the Constitution and Bill of Rights and its application to those who give their lives to the US.
Thankfully you have not lost your job, but I may be premature in those thanks. For the government although they move slow move inexorably towards ID10Tic behaviour and prosecution of Free and Presumed Innocent people.

And to think that two college friends are FS officers, and at one time I aspired to be one, too. Stifling environment. I'm so glad I became a title insurance lawyer; I wouldn't be able to stand the State Department.

Wow, Peter, you are a hero for the people! I mean, you, like most others, would think it is ok to write and talk about what you perceive to be facts and truth, but now you know better. The facts must be first cleared by authorities.

The 1st amendment was pretty strong as far back as the early 70's, but it seems the Patriot act and follow-up laws have made it a little difficult to say what you mean. Maybe that is to keep us all on the road less traveled, and keep us focused on the day to day distractions, and that is probably a good thing, what with everyone having a +40 y.o. friend who has been fired or is about to be let go. The ensuing financial scars that ensue when a middle aged man can no longer be employed are life threatening.

I sure hope your book makes it to the NY Times bestsellers list, and gets you engaged on the speaker's tour, because what you've done here, while something I'd never recommend, takes a heart of a hero to go through.

I just hope a drone doesn't mistakenly come your way.

Peter, I admire your courage and the way you believe in what is just right and fair. Your book is amazing and informational. Everybody who had the same experience as yours will testify how true and real are the contents in it. I also cannot say more than how an amazing person you are by being torn between a long time employer and your personal principles. For me as a vitalzym critic, you have just stood up with what is just right and fair. I hope you will not lose hope on this issue, for you can be sure that there will be a lot of us who will be backing you up.

in this case one with a social conscience, somebody who ought to have a clue in other words, finding himself px 90 blindsided by the senseless bullying so characteristic of all levels of his country's government. He is to be congratulated on having his eyes opened and surviving the process, but the wonder is that anyone like this still exists.