Many believe capital deployment should follow a "pecking-order theory" that prescribes that managements should apply their cash flow, in order of priority, to fix their balance sheet if overleveraged, fund organic investments, pay dividends, fund acquisitive growth and, only when there is additional cash left over, to distribute it via share repurchases.
Once again we see the armed services adapting to such a prospect, teaching soldiers Iraqi Arabic before deployment and making use of Civilian Affairs in order to foster good relations with the populace.