IWP 640
4 Credits
“If you know your adversary and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
– Sun Tzu
The goal of this course is to demonstrate how history, culture, and the relationships among local families, clans, and tribes are essential components to develop proactive security solutions in today’s unpredictable world. It is based on Prof. Al Santoli’s unique personal experiences in historical models during the past 50 years, including the historic Tet Offensive period in Vietnam, the Cambodian genocide, and saving Thailand from Vietnamese-Soviet invasion during the post war, El Salvador counter insurgency during the Reagan Doctrine victory over global communism, and the victory over Muslim terrorism in the Philippines until today.
Rather than heavy firepower, Prof. Santoli, as a protégé of legendary special-ops Gens. Edward Lansdale and John Singlaub, has mastered cultural engagement, citizen diplomacy, and socio-economic development as advocated in Dr. John Lenczowski’s book on Full Spectrum Diplomacy. His work as a soldier, civilian volunteer, and humanitarian relief specialist has stabilized some of the most challenging and dangerous insurgency communities in various parts of the world. His “mental black-belt” methodologies are an effective counter to Communist China’s Unrestricted Warfare.
IWP 640, Cultural Intelligence, is fundamental to IWP’s “Winning Without War” concept. This course introduces, compares, and contrasts different modes of building alliances necessary to negate the influence of increasingly diverse extremist groups. We will also address Big Power Rivalry through community-based and non-violent means.
We will explore new economic-social concepts such as the impact of poverty and the “reset” of the global economy and the resulting effects on national sovereignty. We will explore elements of geography, anthropology, and trauma psychology and their impact on American and Allied national security. As part of IWP’s founding principles, this course will emphasize Dr. John Lenczowski’s “full spectrum” of conventional and non-traditional engagement. We will introduce modalities of “peace through development,” including the impact of globalism, artificial intelligence [AI], and biological warfare such as pandemics, which threaten social-economic stability in various regions. These include not only their impact in underdeveloped countries where terrorism is an ongoing threat, but also in advanced Western democratic traditions, especially in the United States. We will examine how China’s Unrestricted Warfare doctrine includes chemical/biological warfare and many other asymmetric challenges which undermine basic freedoms, trade, political stability, and social cohesion.
A lively interactive class discussion creates an environment that will help develop students’ intuitive skills, which are essential for leadership and to clearly define successful statecraft.
The pictures below of Prof. Santoli’s ongoing intercultural bridge-building in Mindanao, Philippines through Asia America Initiative (AAI) exemplify the doctrine for “Winning Without War.”
Prof. Santoli successfully conducting citizen diplomacy during “all out war” in Sulu, Muslim Mindanao, Philippines with members of Moro National Liberation Front.
During Philippines Nutrition Month in July 2025, in Sulu, Prof. Santoli continues to practice the lessons he learned in Vietnam and during the Reagan Doctrine era in El Salvador that a full stomach and educational opportunities are effective for peace building. This same principle forms the core of Dr. Lenczowski’s “Winning Without War” philosophy.
Filipino mountain tribes in Visayas region tell their histories through traditional songs and dances, sponsored by Prof. Santoli and AAI.
Badjao sea gypsy tribe children commute to coastal schools in canoes.
Education is the key to peace in Prof. Santoli’s Asia America Initiative peace building program. Parents also receive remedial literacy classes and assist teachers.
Earthquake protection drill at Lugmah Elementary School in a former war-torn community.
Students learn farming and nutritional skills via Lugmah ES school gardens.
Summer Reading camps enhance remedial learning skills.
PTA Moms cook and serve free lunches for all children at Mukammali Elementary.
Proper nutrition such as milk and clean water build strength of mind and body.
New school buildings bring hope to remote communities. Labor by parents and other local volunteers providethe teamwork needed for peace and development in areas with longstanding guerilla war.
Building bonds between tomorrow’s leaders.
Adult Learning Program, Indanan graduation in July 2025.
A father-daughter chef team win a cooking contest at Salih Yusah Elementary School in “Land of Bad” Philippines as a part of Nutrition Month in the Philippines, July 2025.