counterinsurgency

The South African Border War (1966-1989) and its Callwellian influence

Riley.C.Murray — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:13:53 +0000

The South African Border War (1966-1989) and its Callwellian influence Riley.C.Murray Wed, 11/10/2021 - 4:13am

The roots of modern counterinsurgency are often traced to Colonial Wars or Small Wars of the 19th Century. One case which may demonstrate such a relationship is the South Africa Border War (1966-1989) in which variables such as, intelligence and people-centered operations utilized by the South African Defence Force (SADF) demonstrated striking similarities to C.E. Callwell’s reflection on 19th Century Small Wars.

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Lessons from American Counterinsurgency Operations During the Occupation of Haiti

Riley.C.Murray — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:23:03 +0000

Lessons from American Counterinsurgency Operations During the Occupation of Haiti Riley.C.Murray Wed, 06/16/2021 - 4:23pm

The United States occupied Haiti and ran many of its critical governmental functions between 1915-1934 in one of America’s most protracted conflicts and occupations. During this occupation, multiple internal conflicts arose that required the small garrison of American Marines and the Marine-led Haitian Gendarmerie to execute brief but generally effective counterinsurgency campaigns. An examination of these campaigns will illuminate what lessons can be drawn for contemporary and future use.

The Case for Maintaining an Advisory Presence in Afghanistan

SWJED — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 13:35:29 +0000

The Case for Maintaining an Advisory Presence in Afghanistan SWJED Mon, 04/20/2020 - 9:35am

Barring an unforeseen event or shift in policy, it seems likely that by May 2021, the United States will remove its military forces from Afghanistan. Despite claims of progress, the United States and its allies have undeniably made many mistakes over the past two decades. Some commentators have argued that Afghanistan has been an “undeniable failure.” While many commentators and policymakers have focused on getting out of Afghanistan, the past shows the potentially devastating consequences such actions could bring. Instead, the United States and its NATO allies should consider leaving a small presence of advisors to support institutional development at the ministries and institutions.

“Accidental Guerrilla” Syndrome in California, 1836-1846

SWJED — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 07:21:35 +0000

“Accidental Guerrilla” Syndrome in California, 1836-1846 SWJED Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:21am

Sun Tzu’s injunction to “know your enemy” is never more critical than in counterinsurgency (COIN) warfare. During its COIN conflicts in the last hundred years, the United States military has fallen especially prey to the thinking trap of lumping all its opponents into the same category. COIN expert David Kilcullen identified this phenomenon as “accidental guerrilla syndrome” in his 2009 book of the same name.

Taliban Fragmentation: Fact, Fiction, and Future

SWJED — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:09:21 +0000

Taliban Fragmentation: Fact, Fiction, and Future SWJED Mon, 03/30/2020 - 9:09am

For years, the U.S. military pursued a "divide and defeat" strategy against the Afghan Taliban, attempting to exploit the supposedly fragmented nature of the group. Drawing on the academic literature on insurgency, civil war, and negotiated peace, this report finds that the Taliban is a far more cohesive organization than a fragmented one.

Coronavirus Poses Yet Another Challenge to the Afghan Peace Process

SWJED — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 01:37:04 +0000

Coronavirus Poses Yet Another Challenge to the Afghan Peace Process SWJED Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:37pm

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s effort this week to bring the parties together failed and led the U.S. to reduce aid to Afghanistan. Amid all this uncertainty, Afghanistan is beginning to see the signs of a coronavirus outbreak, which could devastate the country given its poor health infrastructure and pollution problems. USIP’s Scott Smith explains how the coronavirus could further exacerbates an already complex situation.

Winning Small Wars in Contests for the People

SWJED — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:28:48 +0000

Winning Small Wars in Contests for the People SWJED Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:28pm

A dilemma is now facing western militaries, in-so-far as, the contextual terrain has shifted to such an extent that their enemies refuse to engage them in a manner that would ensure their own destruction. Focus on this modern Sphacterian-dilemma has led to discussions and debates that are encapsulated within the ‘War amongst the people’ arena.

Case Analysis: The FARC in Colombia

SWJED — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 05:42:40 +0000

Case Analysis: The FARC in Colombia SWJED Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:42am

An understanding of this particular case offers not only relevant lessons for the U.S. in our continuing small wars operations, but also on national interests in Colombia—including economic considerations and counter-narcotics efforts—could become threatened by FARC’s dissident groups.

The Three Misunderstandings of Soviet Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

SWJED — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 15:58:47 +0000

The Three Misunderstandings of Soviet Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan SWJED Wed, 02/19/2020 - 10:58am

Several major actions taken by the United States and coalition in the last 18 years share much in common with the efforts of the Soviet Union during its combat operations in the country (1979-1989). It is therefore incumbent upon any student of the current conflict to firmly understand the Soviet conflict, its doctrine, execution, and most importantly, the Soviet methods of counterinsurgency.

Improving the Understanding of Political Legitimacy in COIN Doctrine

SWJED — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 14:45:41 +0000

Improving the Understanding of Political Legitimacy in COIN Doctrine SWJED Tue, 02/18/2020 - 9:45am

Army and Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Doctrine was initially developed in the midst of the Iraq War as the military struggled to accept the situation it found itself in and struggled to create a strategy to address it. Initially published in 2004 as an interim doctrine, and then in 2006 as a completed publication, the Army and Marine Corps’ primary counterinsurgency doctrine has only been updated once since then.