Use Money as a Weapon System

"Tactics in Counterinsurgency," Field Manual 3-24.2, April 21, 2009 (300 pages, 10 MB PDF).

"...military units alone cannot defeat an insurgency. Most of the work involves discovering and solving the population’s underlying issues, that is, the root causes of their dissatisfaction with the current arrangement of political power. Dealing with diverse issues such as land reform, unemployment, oppressive leadership, or ethical tensions places a premium on tactical leaders who can not only close with the enemy, but also negotiate agreements, operate with nonmilitary agencies and other nations, restore basic services, speak the native (a foreign) language, orchestrate political deals, and get 'the word' on the street."

Use Money as a Weapon System

7-89. Recent experiences have shown the effectiveness of using money to win popular support and further the interests and goals of units conducting counterinsurgency operations. Money should be used carefully. In most cases, higher authority will tightly control funds through strict accountability measures that ensure the money is used properly. When used effectively, and with an end state in mind, money can be an effective means to mobilize public support for the counterinsurgent’s cause and further alienate the insurgents from the population. A counterinsurgency force can use money to—
• Fund civic cleanup and other sanitation projects, and the equipment to complete those projects.
• Fund small scale infrastructure improvements.
• Fund agricultural projects to improve farming practices and livestock health, or help implement cooperative farming programs.
• Repair civic and cultural sites and facilities.
• Repair institutions and infrastructure critical to governance and rule of law such as prisons, courthouses, and police stations.
• Purchase education supplies or repair infrastructure critical for educating the local populace.
• Pay rewards to citizens who provide information on enemy activities and locations
• Support the creation, training, and operation of Host Nation security forces.
• Fund events and activities that build relationships with Host Nation officials and citizens.
• Repair damage resulting from combined and coalition operations.
• Provide condolence payments to civilians for casualties from combined and coalition operations.