The Global War on Terrorism: War or Counterinsurgency?

Abstract

Paper examines the strategy of today's Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of executing the GWOT as a Counterinsurgency (COIN) campaign vice a generalized war against terrorism and its sponsors. This paper will argue that current GWOT strategy, instead of weakening, may actually be strengthening the enemy's center of gravity at the strategic level. Discussion includes the imperatives of strategic and operational COIN planning as well as the criticality of integrating a multinational and representational coalition into fighting what is essentially an Islamic militant insurgency. Further, paper looks at the feasibility of America's role as the lead military element in today's COIN effort and why American military effort may be better suited, and ultimately more successful, in a supporting role.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 06, 2004
Accession Number
ADA422704

Entities

People

  • David E. Brigham

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Center Of Gravity
  • Counterinsurgency
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Gravity
  • Insurgency
  • International Law
  • Middle East
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.