Border Jumping: Strategic and Operational Considerations in Planning Cross-Border Raids Against Insurgent Sanctuaries
Abstract
Cross-border ground raids by state-backed security forces can have a detrimental impact on guerrillas ability to wage war. External support in neighboring countries can be an important source of strength to insurgent forces. However, cross-border raids and their security gains come at a political cost. This thesis examines the conflicts in Malaya (1946 1950), Nicaragua (1981 1990), Algeria (1954 1962), Namibia (1960 1989), South Vietnam (1960 1975), and Afghanistan (1978 1992) to identify operational and strategic-level considerations in planning cross-border operations to reduce the political costs of such operations. The study examines the relationship between security gains and political costs, including subsets of factors intrinsic to both variables. The research presents lessons applicable to the contemporary counterterrorism environment and suggests how military and political counterinsurgents can combine lines of effort in conducting cross-border operations against external insurgent sanctuaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA583427
Entities
People
- George E. Berndt
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School