U.S. Counterinsurgency Doctrine and Insurgent Infrastructures: Proscribed Failure?

Abstract

How well does U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine tactically neutralize insurgent infrastructures? This question is important given the high interest of the United States in maintaining stable democracies around the world. Insurgency continues to present the most prevalent type of warfare since the creation of political states. Current National Security Strategy cites many counterinsurgencies for which our military forces must prepare. Defense experts routinely highlight counterinsurgency as one of the contingencies on the operational continuum most likely for future U.S. military involvement. But, U. S. insurgency/counterinsurgency doctrine displays a dangerous paradox. Doctrine for U.S. support of insurgencies highlights the paramount importance of building strong insurgent infrastructures. But, U.S: counterinsurgency doctrine eschews our involvement in the tactical neutralization of these infrastructures.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 06, 1991
Accession Number
ADA251855

Entities

People

  • Rex A. Estilow

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Center Of Gravity
  • Civic Action
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Counterinsurgency
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Guerrilla Warfare
  • Infrastructure
  • Insurgency
  • Intelligence Collection
  • Low Intensity Conflict
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Sociology

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design