This monograph examines alternative approaches to U.S. COIN operations in the eastern Pashtun tribal areas in Afghanistan that are sensitive to and inclusive of the key elements of the Pashtun code of Pashtunwali. The author reviews Pashtuns and...
Are Heavy Brigade Combat Teams (HBCTs) effective in counterinsurgency (COIN) operations with the capabilities to clear, hold, build, and sustain success? This research examined the modular HBCT's capabilities to execute the clear-hold-build COIN...
Focusing efforts toward building security force capability without increasing state capacity is an ineffective strategy to achieve government victory in civil war. The purpose of this monograph is to advance and test the hypothesis that...
The purpose of this essay is to examine the current and pass Counterinsurgency
Campaigns of the United States Military. In recent years Counterinsurgency planning has
become a vital part of Military Operations. The author of this essay is currently...
This thesis seeks to illustrate both the benefits and limitations associated with using road building in COIN campaigns in South Asia, as well as highlight factors that should be considered from planning through long-term use. When employed in a...
From December 1, 2008 to January 9, 2009, thirty-two students from Staff Groups 16A and 16B at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) conducted an operational level study in order to recommend a course of action for the Afghanistan Campaign...
The security force framework devised for prosecuting a counterinsurgency campaign is essential. A security framework identifies roles and responsibilities for the different organizations that comprise the overall counterinsurgent force. Part of...
This newsletter provides information on the basics of the Afghan culture and how Soldiers should apply this information while living and working
with the Afghans. The key points covered in this newsletter are: 1.) Effects of Afghan culture on...
This monograph examines the conduct of biometrically supported census operations as a population control measure in a counterinsurgency campaign. First, the monograph explores why the conduct of such an operation is relevant in the current...
The execution of the Baghdad Security Plan in 2007 to 2008 marked a turning point in United States (U.S.) Army counterinsurgency (COIN) methodology. It highlighted decentralized execution utilizing the maneuver battalion as the prime unit of...
In 2006, Hezbollah employed a new type of warfare that it had been perfecting for 24 years. Systematically, Hezbollah adapted its tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting its operations. This included continued emphasis on Information...
In 2009 Norway released a strategy for a comprehensive approach in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for improved civil-military cooperation. This paper explores the possible impact of the strategy on interagency unity of effort (UoE). Factors...
Counterinsurgents have raised and employed irregular security forces in many campaigns over the last century. Irregular security forces are indigenous forces, not part of the regular police or military organizations of the host nation, that are...
Considered the first documented commitment of a Western-style army facing a nation-wide insurgency, the Peninsular War deserves a critical examination of French pacification methods. In spite of a severe defeat, the Grande Armee achieved success...
The increasing volume and manner of violent deaths in Mexico nearly doubled in 2009 to just over seven thousand. Mexico appears capable of devolving into a failed state status where an insurgency threat could potentially thrive. These indices...
Many authors have begun to write that the heavy force has no role in the future contemporary operating environment – especially where internal political-militia groups rely on guerrilla tactics. The US heavy force is an integral part of...
Recent scholarly work has devoted much attention to analyzing the French counterinsurgency war in Algeria from 1954 to 1962. The United States military has taken many of the lessons and principles offered by authors such as David Galula and Roger...
As operations in Iraq and Afghanistan end, it is useful to analyze the current state of stability operations within the U.S. Army and determine its ability to conduct these types of operations in the future. Analyzing the state of stability...
Recent years have seen the US, UK and other ISAF and Coalition nations enmeshed in protracted, complex and intense campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Resilient and highly adaptable opponents have operated asymmetrically, and amongst the people, to...
Learning to leverage new media: the Israeli defense forces in recent conflicts. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, U.S. Army; Mr. Dennis M. Murphy; and Mr. Anton Menning; The Army must learn to embrace lessons from the explosion of...