Marine Corps Female Engagement Teams

The Marine Corps has deployed Female Engagement Teams in their area of operations.  Read more on these unique Marines in "Female engagement team refreshes their training", DVIDS Net, January 14, 2011.

Alokozia Tribe of Sangin Area Responding to Tribal Engagement Efforts

Much is being made of the recent overtures of the Alokozia tribe of the Sangin area of southern Afghanistan to start working with the Afghan government and coalition forces.  On the surface this might seem like a great idea and a remedy for some of the conflict in the area; however, it gets complicated real quick when you look at the historical context and inter-tribal relations of the past.  Read an enlightening article on this topic in "Watershed tribal engagement in Sangin?", The Long War Journal Blog, January 6, 2011.