[December 1, 2021] By the end of 2006, I had spent more than a year and a half in Iraq working with their citizens. I thought I knew them but, like other Americans, I did not. Understanding other cultures takes time, patience, and a high degree of empathy, smarts, and devotion.
By that time, I figured out we didn’t really understand them or the Arabic culture; we had one big problem. Ultimately, this lack of understanding would be the root cause of not accomplishing our mission to bring stable democracy to Iraq.
After 18 months in their country, I gained some insight, frankly good insight, into the Iraqi mind. I thought that I knew them after my first combat tour in 2004-05 (I wrote a book on it, link here). My main takeaway was that knowing them was not good enough to base important decisions upon.
First and foremost, more than I knew, was the impact of a socialist system the Iraqi government had adopted. Their socialist system essentially provided key needs for everyone. You get free electricity, water, food, and more. There is the expectation that you are owed this, and if you are not given those basic needs, then you have a “legitimate” problem with the government (not with yourself). This can make you mad at the government for their failure; you are always innocent, you are always the victim.
How this mixes with the Arabic culture, Muslim religion, old Iraqi culture, and a new emerging Iraqi culture is still a little unclear for me. We know that Iraqis are self-centered and do not understand “systems” or “networks of systems” that join to make things work. For example, within their government, there is little interest in helping other government departments that impact what you do. Your interests are only your area.
What does this mean practically? It says you do not have to do anything to survive; just wait for the handout. I observed that it is easy for someone to get lots of people to turn out for demonstrations to protest over a perceived wrong than it was to get folks to work in harmony for a larger goal.
Oil is at the heart of their economy, and profits from oil allow the socialist system to chug along.
Much of our misunderstanding of Iraqis surrounds our lack of understanding of their old culture and this junction of socialism. The danger is that our politicians believe Iraqis think like us, that their fundamental values and beliefs are the same as ours. This is not the case. For example, an Iraqi will lie, cheat, steal, even murder (rare), take bribes, take a cut of their employee’s pay for themselves, sacrifice the good for personal/tribal gain, etc. And, this is entirely acceptable and good if the reason supports the tribe or religion.
Americans are still making this mistake when dealing with adversarial countries like Iran. They have no use for America, the great Satan. If we attempt to deal with them for some mutual cooperative effort, we will not succeed.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
I think the reasons for our isolationism (altho much harder today than 100 years ago) explains much of our lack of understanding of other cultures. Gen. Satterfield has helped put this into context but also the fact that we, at least, understand our weakness is a beginning. Let’s not ever forget that we do have this weakness and work to improve. All citizens tend to be inward focused. Just don’t let it negatively effect our national decisions.
Right DocJeff. I think we are smart enough to know that. Now, if only we had good leadership at our most senior levels in government and business, then we could really advance.
… and we will probably never truly understand but it is crucial that there are many of us in the right jobs do take the time and effort to understand others at the highest levels of govt so we can not make the same mistakes over and over.
We would be lost without understanding others. That is what socialization is about. Ignore the need, and die on the vine.
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for a sharp article on a subject that I’ve been talking about for years. If you don’t understand others (your enemy or friends), then you cannot be as productive or successful as you could be. Oh, congrats on your new book.
Yes, and Gen. Satterfield continues to deliver daily. This idea of understanding other cultures is where our Department of State should be in the mix, every day making things happen, often taking many years or decades to make right. However, since Pres Obama came into the US presidency, this perception and strategy has changed. Now the Dept of State is pushing gay and trans values on others. This is not their mission or their moral ethic. Stop it Dept of State, get back to the basics of helping others have a good view of America.
Good comment Max and well thought-out. I agree that our Dept of State has really fallen over the past couple of decades. They see themselves as an end in themselves and not for service to our country.
I suggest to you, Gen. S., that you read the most recent book out by Dr. Jordan Peterson (I know you already listen to him on YouTube). You will find that he addresses this issue of ‘survival’ that comports with what you are saying here today.
“Americans are still making this mistake when dealing with adversarial countries like Iran. They have no use for America, the great Satan. If we attempt to deal with them for some mutual cooperative effort, we will not succeed.”
… I agree wholeheartedly.
Waiting for a handout. It becomes to engrained into some people that they are offended when they don’t get a hand out. Like college kids wanting “free” tuition. Everything free. How’s that working out for you?
Not Everyone is Looking for a Handout
https://www.theleadermaker.com/not-everyone-looking-handout/
Gen. Satterfield address this here. I agree that most of us are not looking for a handout (something free). The problem is that handouts often come with strings attached and it kills your soul.
I pay my own way. I don’t take money from nobody and accept nothing. A token gift or an award is okay but nothing substantial. That’s my motto.
This was, indeed, one of his better articles.
I see this in the black communities everywhere. Yes, accepting handouts does kill the soul.
Another spot-on article from the dungeon of Gen. Satterfield (ha ha, not really a dungeon) that inspires and educates. We all spend time during out waking hours doing things that are good for our families, our communities, and country. Gen. Satterfield helps us put that in perspective and shows us how to make our personal selves better and better.
And, because of our size and productivity, we rarely will understand others. At least for now.
— and don’t forget the vast oceans between us and others. Even with flight, we are still a long distance from others which tends to insulate us for good or bad.
Hi, New Girl, welcome to Gen. Satterfield’s leadership site. I’ve not seen you here before. I hope that you feel welcome and help us make this leadership forum a place to engage respectfully and usefully. 😉
Thanks Melissa. I hope so too.
That’s what we DO!