The Competition For Hope: Why Sustainable Jobs for Men Aged 18 to 29 Years are Critical to Global Security

The Competition for Hope is about young men and the race between getting them sustainable jobs, versus disaster when they lose hope and pick up a gun.

Afghanistan is one of several examples. The British Army has been there for seven expensive years. The repeated refrain from soldiers has been the inability to ‘stabilise poverty stricken captured territory’ and keep it, with recapture costing more British and other lives.

In Afghanistan US $16 billion of humanitarian aid has been wasted or never turned up, meaning more suffering.

The book reminds us that in the American War of Independence many young British soldiers defected, with the lure of jobs in Kentucky.

Today in Afghanistan, a real program to lure young men away from fighting with sustainable jobs, should significantly help a credible counter-insurgency campaign, and peace.

Starting at grass roots, the cash and skills are needed, to launch employment programs for young dangerous men.

As Churchill remarked: “Action this Day.”