Structural Vulnerabilities of Networked Insurgencies: Adapting Counterinsurgency Strategies to the New Adversary

Abstract

Modern insurgencies based on networked organizations, such as the one in Iraq, are structurally different from the Maoist movements of the 20th century. Applying counterinsurgency methods from that era will not be effective against the new type of insurgency organization. Strategies must be adapted to consider the new insurgent doctrine. This paper contrasts the Maoist and Iraqi insurgencies in terms of organization and strategy. It examines the differences in the vulnerabilities of the two types of insurgencies in organization, political cohesion, base of support, and use of information technology. This analysis suggests that networked insurgencies may be more vulnerable to disruption than destruction. Possible means of disruption include critical network nodes, organizational cohesion, support sources, and information technology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 16, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463439

Entities

People

  • Martin J. Muckian

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil War
  • Cohesion
  • Commerce
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Improvised Explosive Devices
  • Information Systems
  • Insurgency
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Strategic Security Studies