The Potential for Internal Warfare in the United States.
Abstract
Drawing upon the writings of social theorists, expositions on American society, public law, and military doctrine, this study examines the potential for internal warfare in the United States. It also addresses the potential for domestic conflict and limited forms of insurgency. The role of active military forces in countering these potential threats to internal security is discussed as well as the adequacy of public law and military doctrine. Social, political, economic, historical, and environmental characteristics of a nation serve as agents of cohesion or of conflict. The United States is increasingly divided over the social issues of race/ethnicity, religion, and crime. These three issues are exploited by some of the hostile groups which exist in the nation. These groups present a potentially violent threat to social order. Government assets and public law are adequate to deal with anticipated domestic threats. Military doctrine, however, lacks the connection between military operations in urban terrain and domestic civil disturbance. The potential nature of modern American social conflict is more organized and violent than that which our military doctrine addresses. This study concludes that internal warfare is not likely to occur, but increased social conflict and insurgency are on the horizon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA299367
Entities
People
- Daniel D. Curtner
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College