Conditions for Mission Completion in Low Intensity Conflict: Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines (OEF-P), Achievements in Countering Violent Extremists and al-Qaeda, Southern Islands Future

This report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. In 2015, the U.S. officially concluded combat operations in the Philippines ending the 14-year mission. The general view among experts is that Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines (OEF-P) achieved its underlying objectives and the U.S. government concluded combat operations determining OEF-P met U.S. strategic goals. This research highlights the phases leading to the conclusion of Joint Special Operations Task Force—Philippines and the sustainability of the Philippine government to continue operations to counter violent extremist activity. Has the impact of persistent engagement (operations) and building partner capacity (relationships) set the conditions for a peaceful future of the southern islands in the Philippines? Although the official determination of success has led to the completion of OEF-P, this thesis shows it is possible that operations did not remove the root causes of threats from violent extremist organizations.

I. INTRODUCTION * A. APPROACH * 1. Research Questions * 2. Bureaucratic Politics and Low Intensity Conflict Theory as an Analytical Foundation * B. LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT IN THE PHILIPPINES * C. DEBATE: JSOTF-P AS A MODEL * D. INDIRECT APPROACH IN THE PHILIPPINES * II. OEF-P TRANSITION TO INTERAGENCY APPROACH * A. MISSION, STRUCTURE, AND CHARACTERISTICS * B. DEPARTMENT OF STATE/ UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT * III. MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS IN LOW INTENSITY * CONFLICT FOR SECURITY FORCES * A. KINETIC TO NON-KINETIC OPERATIONS * B. FOREIGN INTERNAL DEFENSE FACTORS * IV. INFORMATION WARFARE * A. INFORMATION TOOLS * B. TERMINATION FACTORS * C. WAY AHEAD IN THE REGION—"PIVOT TO ASIA" * D. SECURITY COOPERATION * E. MAINTAINING REGIONAL MILITARY POSTURE * F. IMPACT FOR THE PHILIPPINES * V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS