The New York Times reported that anthropologists have been deployed in Afghanistan to help the local military units better understand the more subtle aspects of tribal relations. It is both surprising and encouraging the the military has done so, realizing that culture is far more powerful than explicit force. While I do understand the debate in the anthropological community about whether the deployed anthropologists are able to work objectively for the people of Afghanistan, it seems their overall impact is highly positive. As the Times reported, “Col. Martin Schweitzer, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division unit working with the anthropologists here, said that the unit’s combat operations had been reduced by 60 percent since the scientists arrived in February, and that the soldiers were now able to focus more on improving security, health care and education for the population.” And i think we can all applaud their bravery and selflessness. If anyone is still under the impression that ethnography and other social science methods don’t deliver objective and substantial results, that they are somehow “touchy-feely”, they should take note of this latest evidence from one of the most extreme environments one could imagine. Empathy enhances perception of what is REALLY going on and provides decision makers productive clarity.

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