Counter-insurgencyRedux

Hard Hearts and Open Minds? Governance, Identity and the Intellectual Foundations of Counterinsurgency Strategy

“…83 This view takes exception to the notion that defeating the Iraqi insurgency depends on winning hearts and minds, emphasizing the sectarian nature of much of the violence in Iraq and concluding that addressing material grievances will matter little in squelching the insurgency. For example, defense analyst Stephen Biddle has argued:…”

Contracting a Counterinsurgency? Implications for US Policy in Iraq and Beyond

“…The danger is augmented further by the insurgents' increasing use of suicide bombing and improvised explosive devices meant to hamper patrolling, a traditional aspect of counterinsurgency operations needed to provide reassurance and protection to a populace. 26 While the United States has not proven anemic to casualties in the Iraqi case, the pain felt in Iraq is nevertheless part of the national discourse and it is taking a toll politically on the Bush administration. This discourse will likely heighten as the 2008 elections for the presidency draw nearer.…”

Vulnerability without capabilities? Small state strategy and the international counter-piracy agenda

“…Without stable governments, states were expected to fall apart and turn into breeding and training grounds for transnational terrorism, crime and other security threats (Kilcullen, 2006;Krasner & Pascual, 2005;Rotberg, 2003), and in the eyes of the UNSC, Somalia was in dire need of support for Being an honest broker in CGPCS and WG2…”