Military Forces in Urban Antiterrorism
Abstract
This report examines four historical case studies to provide valuable insights for developing U.S. military antiterrorist doctrine for urban areas. The report begins with an introduction to the nature of urban terrorism and then evaluates each case. The cases (Algiers 1954-62, Ulster 1969-72, Montevideo 1968-72, and Beirut U.S. experience, 1983) are diverse in many areas including causes, intensity, terrorist and antiterrorist strategies and tactics, the role of cities in the overall terrorist campaign, and outcome. After discussion of the case as a whole, emphasis shifts to military forces. The role of military forces in a government's total antiterrorist effort is examined as are the details about military execution of this role. Political, legal, and strategic factors, organization and command and control, tactics, and equipment are discussed in detail. The report develops findings and conclusions and addresses their implications for U.S. military forces in future urban antiterrorist operations. Keywords: Urban warfare; Urban terrorism; Terrorism; MOUT; LIC; Conflict - Algeria; Lebanon; Northern Ireland; Uruguay; Counterterrorism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA217669
Entities
People
- R. D. Mclaurin
- Rachel A. Miller