My point was not to throw money at individuals - but as with my Roman reference - build/repair roads and facilitys, improve water/power supplies, emergency services, recreational areas. I know is probably happening to some degree, and 'hearts and minds' is not new - but the cost of modern warfare is so immense these days a larger proportion of funds to the rebuilding may give a better return.
It would certainly grate on the nerves of the troops to see all the money being spent on the people who were shooting at you, but in the long run it may be a more efficient way of getting your end result than 100% of your expenditure on military.
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