Insurgency and Counter-insurgency
Cutting-edge analysis and comment from the world's oldest defence and security think tank
Assessing the Surge
On 18 September Ambassador Ryan Crocker visited RUSI after presenting his assessment of the 'surge' policy, with General David Petraeus, before the United States Congress.
Revising the British Army’s Counter-Insurgency Doctrine
Responding to events in Iraq and Afghanistan, the British Army has begun a review of its counter-insurgency doctrine.
Combating Cyber-Jihad
Extremists create a virtual environment where those far removed from the conflict can feel a part of it
An American View of Twenty-First Century Counter-Insurgency
This article gives the historical context of the new Field Manual 3-24, Counterinsurgency, and also suggests some changes to the US national security structure.
The Constant Insurgency?
The metrics the Department of Defense and White House use for determining success against an insurgency may be dangerously flawed.
Learning about Counter-Insurgency
There is nothing new about insurgency – the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provide plenty of examples of this type of warfare – and, therefore, no shortage of opportunities to learn lessons. Given the latest case-study in Iraq and Afghanistan, what more can we learn?
Insurgent Casualties in Iraq
The validity of the US forces' figures for insurgent caualties is difficult to judge beyond the certainty that they will not be accurate.
Analysis of Petraeus' and Crocker's comments at RUSI
The Ambassador and General gave a frank but guarded summary of the situation in Iraq and then fielded questions.
Conditions are not right for wholesale withdrawal
An examination of existing Coalition responsibilities and committments in Iraq, where there is now a move towards 'overwatch'; Coalition troops are being taken off the streets but ready to back up Iraqi forces if necessary.
Petraeus Report: Assessing the Surge
On Monday 10 September General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker presented an upbeat report on the 'Surge policy' promulgated earlier this year. RUSI's experts give their initial reaction and RUSI.org offers background information to the conflict and to policy.
- Insurgency and Counter-insurgency
- A comprehensive collection of articles on various aspects of the counter-insurgency struggle
Articles
Double-I, Double-N: A Framework for Counter-Insurgency
An assessment of the methodology of modern insurgents, with recommendations on how best to counter their asymmetrical tactics.
An assessment of the methodology of modern insurgents, with recommendations on how best to counter their asymmetrical tactics.
Assessing the SurgeOn 18 September Ambassador Ryan Crocker visited RUSI after presenting his assessment of the 'surge' policy, with General David Petraeus, before the United States Congress.
Conflict Termination in Iraq
The military conflict in Iraq has not ended; it has simply transformed from a more traditional ‘state versus state’ conflict into a multi-layered struggle involving many different protagonists.
The military conflict in Iraq has not ended; it has simply transformed from a more traditional ‘state versus state’ conflict into a multi-layered struggle involving many different protagonists.
Re-learning the Lessons of Vietnam and Malaya: COIN 101 in Iraq
Provides an examination of the high causualty rates inflicted on US troops in Iraq and assesses ways in which these can be best reduced, noting that the US was unprepared for the counter-insurgency in Iraq.
Provides an examination of the high causualty rates inflicted on US troops in Iraq and assesses ways in which these can be best reduced, noting that the US was unprepared for the counter-insurgency in Iraq.
Security in Iraq
An assessment of the present security situation and argues that there is a very poor prospect that it will get better in the near future from the UK's former special representative to Iraq
An assessment of the present security situation and argues that there is a very poor prospect that it will get better in the near future from the UK's former special representative to Iraq
Revising the British Army’s Counter-Insurgency DoctrineResponding to events in Iraq and Afghanistan, the British Army has begun a review of its counter-insurgency doctrine.
Combating Cyber-JihadExtremists create a virtual environment where those far removed from the conflict can feel a part of it
An American View of Twenty-First Century Counter-InsurgencyThis article gives the historical context of the new Field Manual 3-24, Counterinsurgency, and also suggests some changes to the US national security structure.
The Constant Insurgency?The metrics the Department of Defense and White House use for determining success against an insurgency may be dangerously flawed.
Terrorism, Insurgency and the Military Response from South Armagh to Falluja
Parallels with the British experiences in Northern Ireland and Iraq can be drawn, and indeed British experience of counter-insurgency has been very useful. However, it must be remembered that there are many differences in the two conflicts.
Parallels with the British experiences in Northern Ireland and Iraq can be drawn, and indeed British experience of counter-insurgency has been very useful. However, it must be remembered that there are many differences in the two conflicts.
Reforming Iraq's Security Sector
The challenge for Iraq and its allies is to ensure that the security sector is fit to restore order but also that this does not unduly threaten transition to some form of democratic rule.
The challenge for Iraq and its allies is to ensure that the security sector is fit to restore order but also that this does not unduly threaten transition to some form of democratic rule.
Three Years into Iraq: Traditional or ‘Super-Insurgency’?
In Iraq we may be witnessing the traditional insurgency evolving.
In Iraq we may be witnessing the traditional insurgency evolving.
Learning about Counter-InsurgencyThere is nothing new about insurgency – the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provide plenty of examples of this type of warfare – and, therefore, no shortage of opportunities to learn lessons. Given the latest case-study in Iraq and Afghanistan, what more can we learn?
Commentary
Subversive Markets: The Economic Roots of the Iraq Insurgency
Ian Siperco examines the political economy of the insurgency in Iraq, and the informal economic activity that sustains it.
Ian Siperco examines the political economy of the insurgency in Iraq, and the informal economic activity that sustains it.
Trouble in ‘Kurdistan’ – Options for Petraeus?
Just as Petraeus's strategy for combating the instability and insecurity in Iraq is beginning to have positive effect, two problems are emerging which could make his task in Iraq more difficult.
Just as Petraeus's strategy for combating the instability and insecurity in Iraq is beginning to have positive effect, two problems are emerging which could make his task in Iraq more difficult.
Insurgent Casualties in IraqThe validity of the US forces' figures for insurgent caualties is difficult to judge beyond the certainty that they will not be accurate.
Analysis of Petraeus' and Crocker's comments at RUSIThe Ambassador and General gave a frank but guarded summary of the situation in Iraq and then fielded questions.
Conditions are not right for wholesale withdrawalAn examination of existing Coalition responsibilities and committments in Iraq, where there is now a move towards 'overwatch'; Coalition troops are being taken off the streets but ready to back up Iraqi forces if necessary.
Petraeus Report: Assessing the SurgeOn Monday 10 September General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker presented an upbeat report on the 'Surge policy' promulgated earlier this year. RUSI's experts give their initial reaction and RUSI.org offers background information to the conflict and to policy.
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