Human Terrain Mapping and Its Implication for Counterinsurgency Operations in Afghanistan

Effective counterinsurgency requires intelligence collection that enables the militarys ability to develop a comprehensive understanding of the environment, not simply identify and locate targets for kinetic action. Human terrain mapping is an answer, but must be supported by organizational change at all echelons of command that reinforce intelligence priorities and dissemination methods most beneficial to counterinsurgency operations. First, human terrain mapping supports units actively engaged with the population to decipher the human aspects of the environment to improve performance. Second, ISAF intelligence, by focusing on collection of population-centric intelligence, provides improved knowledge of the enemy and the environment to support decision making. Finally, human terrain mapping at the regional command and division level of command can synchronize the actions of Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs CA, Provincial Reconstruction Teams PAT, Human Terrain Teams HTT, and maneuver units and improve the flow of population-centric data and analysis.