Middle East

One of the greatest benefits from increasing recruitment of minority groups into the I.S.F. is that the United States can help mitigate the gravity of Iraq's civil war. Training Shia and Sunni increases the danger that the weapons provided by the United States may someday be turned against it. Furthermore, if Shia continue to dominate the ethnic composition of the Iraqi army, animosity between both groups may persist into the future. For this reason, integrated brigades or minority brigades may provide a balancing force between Sunnis and Shia in the country by decreasing the propensity for sectarian violence.

Minority groups are less likely to sympathize with militias since these are the same groups that commit acts of violence against their communities. Since minorities are caught between the violence of Sunnis, Shia, and foreign fighters, it is not very likely that they would serve the interests of ethnic militia groups.

Challenges

Although Iraqis in predominately Sunni and Shia areas may feel uncomfortable with the presence of minority troops in their communities, neither group would feel the same amount of hostility they have towards each other. Sunnis would not have to feel insecure about Shia troops lashing out against their communities, or the possibility of sectarian infiltration of minority Iraqi troop ranks. Over time, minority troops would gain respect and enhance the legitimacy of the Iraqi state as they serve the state and steer away from sectarianism.

The United States can begin by helping minorities provide for their own security by recruiting volunteers to serve as civilian police while recruits are gathered to serve in the I.S.F. The Iraqi government at first may be pressured to deny minority communities rights or state protection. However, as minorities continue to join the I.S.F. the Iraqi government could ultimately have an army composed of ethnic minority or ethnically integrated brigades loyal to the government that can usurp the security role of the militias.

Policy Guidance on How Ethnic Minorities Can Improve National Security in Multiethnic States Based on the Indian model

Ethnic minorities have been used by various countries to maintain civil order. The example of India illustrates the role they can serve in the military. Through this model, the United States can learn how to likewise effectively utilize ethnic minorities in Iraq.

1. Minority populations can be used by national governments to maintain order and defense.

Although India is an exceptional case, the army presents an example of how minority groups can uphold the strength and numbers of a national army. In India, Sikhs constitute about 15 to 20 percent of the army, though only about 2 percent of the general population. Although they were first used by British colonists, they helped India win important battles such as the wars against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. 

2. Maintaining order may sometimes require pitting one ethnic group against another.

Strategies that India has adopted to maintain civil order involve scenarios in which an army of a particular ethnic group is pitted against another group. Sikh infantry units fought against Nage and Mizo guerillas in the 1960's and 1970's.

3. The use of integrated armies of various ethnic groups works best in areas where homogenous groups engage in violence.

When the Sikh rebellion arose in the 1980's, authorities had problems with deploying Sikh regiments into military operations. In order to overcome this problem, Indian commanders utilized an integrated brigade to reduce unit inactivity that surfaced out of sympathy for the Sikh population. A Sikh Lt. General ordered the brigade into action under the leadership of a Muslim Lt. Col. The brigade, known as the "Guards Elite Strike Force," also included Sikh soldiers and defeated the rebels holding the Golden Temple in June 1984.

4. Regiments of minorities should be a mixture of both homogenous units and integrated units.

Indian units of Sikhs comprised homogenous units and were placed into integrated formations. When fighting groups of homogenous Sikh composition, Indian authorities were most likely to deploy integrated brigades even though civil disorder was coming from ethnic groups other than Sikh. These units tended to have good morale in battle and made units more efficient in combat.

5. Take caution not to elevate too many minority officers to top military commands.

In India, the absence of Sikhs in top military posts is due to the disproportionate number of Sikh troops from Punjab. This is done intentionally to prevent a concentration of individuals from one particular ethnic group.

6. The military must be a means of social mobility and opportunity.

Many ethnic groups, like the Sikhs, join the military in hopes of securing economic benefits, social status and educational opportunities. Other groups, such as the Mahars, have also achieved social mobility by joining the armed forces.