The Real Myths of Counterinsurgency by David H. Ucko, War on the Rocks
The counterinsurgency debate must go on, but is it going anywhere? As expressed in my recent review essay on two books dismissive of counterinsurgency, many critics are more concerned with burying the term than with understanding it and propose no serious alternative for how to address non-state threats and instability around the world. For these critics, rather than identify the requirements, contributions and limitations of counterinsurgency as an approach, just one lesson dominates: “no more counterinsurgency.” This nihilistic intent dominates and distorts the discussion, to a point where it risks losing the important function it should have in unpacking the lessons, both negative and positive, from recent wars…
Comments
Cross-posted from SWC.
A lengthy review by David Ucko of Douglas Porch's book 'Counterinsurgency: Exposing the Myths of the New Way of War' alongside Gina Gentile's 'Wrong Turn' by David Ucko, which in places is very critical.
Deserves a longer read, maybe even printing off: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/1...18.2014.893972
It also provides a glimpse into David Ucko's own book, which has been reviewed on SWJ elsewhere - this is only the most recent comment.
The review appears in the journal Small Wars & Insurgencies and is not behind a paywall.
Dr Ucko presents a much more balanced approach to thinking about insurgency and countering an insurgency than other 'critics' on this site. Military professionals might do better to read and understand what he has to say. Perhaps then we can get beyond the dogmatism of an anti counterinsurgency brain block. Maybe what needs to occur is a change to the lexicon 'counterinsurgency' to something more reflective of what can realistically be expected when dealing with potential or identified 'insurgency.'