U.S. Army War College >> Strategic Studies Institute >> Publications >> Details

Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in the 21st Century: Reconceputalizing Threat and Response

Authored by Dr. Steven Metz, LTC Raymond A. Millen.

Other Studies by Keyword

+[Insurgency] +[Counterinsurgency] +[Millen] +[leader development] +[liberation] +[terrorism] +[interagency]

Brief Synopsis

Modern insurgency warfare presents fresh challenges for the United States, which must re-conceptualize its approach to fighting such conflicts. Because the dominant characteristics of insurgency--protractedness and ambiguity--effectively stymie the American military's approach to war, the United States needs to reorient its strategic thinking. The key to success is not for the U.S. military to become better at counterinsurgency, but for the U.S. military (and other elements of the government) to be skilled at helping local security and intelligence forces become effective at it. Adapting tactics and strategies to the realities on the ground is the not only pragmatic, but also crucial to success.

You may also be interested in the following titles:

• 
  Strategic Landscape, 2050: Preparing the U.S. Military for New Era Dynamics

• 
  The Clash of the Trinities: A New Theoretical Analysis of the General Nature of War

• 
  Building Partner Capacity in Africa: Keys to Success

• 
  Rotational Deployments vs. Forward Stationing: How Can the Army Achieve Assurance and Deterrence Eff...

• 
  What Should the U.S. Army Learn From History? Recovery From a Strategy Deficit

• 
  Ends, Means, Ideology, and Pride: Why the Axis Lost and What We Can Learn from Its Defeat

• 
  At Our Own Peril: DoD Risk Assessment in a Post-Primacy World

• 
  Transforming the Force: The 11th Air Assault Division (Test) from 1963 to 1965

Survey: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in the 21st Century: Reconceputalizing Threat and Response

1. How would you rate the writing and overall quality? (5 best - 1 Worst)

12345

N/A

2. Is the content relevant for influencing present and future debates?

YesNoNo Opinion

Your Comments (No URLs Allowed):

If you'd like a reply to your comments, provide your email:
(optional)

Also by the Authors/Editor:

2010 SSI Annual Strategy Conference Report "Defining War for the 21st Century"
Decisionmaking In Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: The Strategic Shift of 2007
Decisionmaking in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: Removing Saddam Hussein by Force
The Political Context Behind Successful Revolutionary Movements, Three Case Studies: Vietnam (1955-63), Algeria (1945-62), and Nicaragua (1967-79)
COIN of the Realm: U.S. Counterinsurgency Strategy
Rethinking Insurgency
Learning from Iraq: Counterinsurgency in American Strategy
Afghanistan: Reconstituting a Collapsed State

View other pubs in the following category:

21st Century Warfare