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Counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare
Through history armies of occupation and civil power have been repeatedly faced with the challenges of insurgency. US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan has highlighted this form of conflict in the modern world. Armies, sometimes reluctantly, have had to adopt new doctrines and tactics to deal with the problems of insurgency and diverse counterinsurgency strategies have been developed. These have ranged from conventional military operations to a combination of military and political strategy including propaganda, Psy-Ops, and other approaches.
In Counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare, 14 contributors examine developments in counterinsurgency from the early 20th century to the present. Each author, an expert in his field, discusses in depth the conduct and outcomes of operations across the globe, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, Afghanistan and Iraq, and draws out the lessons to be learned from them.
This new paperback edition features a revised introduction, updated chapters on Iraq and Afghanistan and the addition of a new chapter on Columbia by expert Thomas Marks.
TOC
1. British Aid to the Civil Power: Ireland 1916-21 to Palestine 1948
2. US Operations in the Philippines 1898-1948
3. The Banana Wars
4. German Partisan Operations 1939-45
5. French Operations from Indo-China to Algeria: 1945-63
6. British COIN in Malaya 1948-60
7. US Operations in Vietnam
8. British Operations in Aden
9. British Operations in Northern Ireland
10. The Rhodesian Experience
11. Israeli Operations
12. Operations in Afghanistan (updated)
13. US and British Operations in Iraq (updated)
14. Columbia (new addition)
In Counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare, 14 contributors examine developments in counterinsurgency from the early 20th century to the present. Each author, an expert in his field, discusses in depth the conduct and outcomes of operations across the globe, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, Afghanistan and Iraq, and draws out the lessons to be learned from them.
This new paperback edition features a revised introduction, updated chapters on Iraq and Afghanistan and the addition of a new chapter on Columbia by expert Thomas Marks.
TOC
1. British Aid to the Civil Power: Ireland 1916-21 to Palestine 1948
2. US Operations in the Philippines 1898-1948
3. The Banana Wars
4. German Partisan Operations 1939-45
5. French Operations from Indo-China to Algeria: 1945-63
6. British COIN in Malaya 1948-60
7. US Operations in Vietnam
8. British Operations in Aden
9. British Operations in Northern Ireland
10. The Rhodesian Experience
11. Israeli Operations
12. Operations in Afghanistan (updated)
13. US and British Operations in Iraq (updated)
14. Columbia (new addition)
360 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 17, 2013
It is always nice when you can combine professional reading with a personal interest. I didn’t know when I bought Counterinsurgency In Modern Warfare, I would need it for research. It just looked interesting. Happily, it gets 4 Stars for a mostly well selected anthology of articles from around the world on COIN from the start of the 20th Century until the present. While the contributors are all scholars, retired or serving professional soldiers or researchers, the selections should be highly readable and entertaining to any audience. These articles will be easily understood by any reader with even a slight familiarity with military terminology. Counterinsurgency and irregular warfare have been on our TV screens intensely for the past decade but have been going on for a lot longer. This book gives a broad overview of successes and failures in this arena for the past century. It serves as an excellent guide for further exploration into specific conflicts.
There are no easy solutions to this type of warfare. Success is often a product of determination, will and patience. Each conflict is different. Yet there are some themes that carry over. Gathering intelligence is often the difference in winning or losing. In order to get the intel on the insurgent/rebel/partisan/terrorist/revolutionary/freedom fighter (language can have a huge impact), you have to focus on the population and not necessarily the fighters. A common thread in these stories is the lack of sharing lessons learned or applying the wrong lessons from other conflicts. A very interesting book.
Here are the conflicts covered:
IN AID OF THE CIVIL POWER: Britain, Ireland and Palestine 1918—48
The troubles in Ireland from 1919-1921 are covered briefly. Eventually the British find operational and tactical methods of dealing with the republican forces. The main outcome was an excellent analysis of insurgency warfare, with a focus on intelligence gathering that was not widely shared. The British had exposure to a problem they would face many more times but the lessons were not forwarded.
The British mandate in Palestine is discussed. Dealing with both the Arabs and the Jews, as both partners and opponents, the Brits have their hands full. Often individuals can have major impact. Orde Wingate was one. Montgomery was another, having just won a major conventional war, he wanted to stay out of the “politics” which is the point of an insurgency. Things don’t go well.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES 1898—1954
Surprisingly, the 1899-1902 counterinsurgency effort was a successful campaign, even though the Americans didn’t speak the language, were a long way from home in a strange place and were arrayed against people they didn’t know. But a successful strategy was developed, relying on good intelligence and focusing on the population of various areas.
The Huk rebellion after WWII was successfully countered by the Filipino leader Ramon Magsaysay. A very interesting story.
THE FIRST OF THE BANANA WARS: US Marines in Nicaragua 1909—12
The US Marines begin to evolve to their current structure. A multisided conflict not strictly an insurgency but has some good lessons.
FEW CARROTS AND A LOT OF STICKS: German Anti-Partisan Warfare in World War Two
The question here is whether the COIN campaign is successful in the larger theater. The campaign in the east is the main focus. The Germans made little effort to support locals. After all, the easterners were the untermenschen, so why would the German army work with them? The Germans were all force and we are left to consider if that was enough in this circumstance. The German efforts against the French resistance, such as it was, is covered post D-Day. Basically the Germans used force where needed but without the ideological fervor of the Ostfront. The exceptions were the SS atrocities in Tulle and Oradour.
FRENCH IMPERIAL WARFARE 1945—61
Indochina and Algeria are covered nicely. Since the French got their butts kicked by the Germans in a few weeks, the indigenous population of the French colonies did not feel particularly obligated to accept recolonization. Of course, the rising nationalism and self-determination ideas easily beat colonialism. Despite some excellent tactical innovations and flexibility, the French used too much military force and not enough political and economic elements to succeed.
What stood out in this conflict was the overreaction of the French military and pied noir militias after the Phillipeville massacres in Aug 1955. Terror as a tactic can work. It did here.
FROM SEARCH AND DESTROY TO HEARTS AND MINDS: The Evolution of British Strategy in Malaya 1948—60
The COIN conflict held up as the epitome of success. It didn’t start well. But flexibility and the willingness to learn can lead to better results. “Winning the hearts and minds” as a strategy started here in earnest.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN VIETNAM: American Organizational Culture and Learning
An insurgency that the US Army tried to fit into a conventional mindset. The US Marines, CIA and Special Forces have success in developing new tactics and approaches. Never widely adopted until too late when the home front was demanding a pullout. The biggest error—the US military dumped all its lessons learned at the end of the war. These had to be relearned the hard way in Iraq and Afghanistan.
RED WOLVES AND BRITISH LIONS: The Conflict in Aden
A lesser known conflict but some interesting experiences gained.
BRITAIN’S LONGEST WAR: Northern Ireland 1967—2007
I found this to be the most riveting and educational piece in the entire book.
COUNTERING THE CHIMURENGA: The Rhodesian Counterinsurgency Campaign 1962—80
Another less well known conflict but mine-resistant vehicles have their genesis here.
THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES AND THE AL-AQSA INTIFADA: When Tactical Virtuosity Meets Strategic Disappointment
The first article where I felt the writer was biased and did not give an objective review. The Israelis combat Palestinian attacks from 2000 to 2005 and learn from their results. Tactical success does not lead to strategic success but, in some cases, that is all you can get. I was in Israel towards the end of this conflict and saw some results of both sides efforts.
LESSONS IN 21ST-CENTURY COUNTERINSURGENCY: Afghanistan 2001—2007
The results in Op Enduring Freedom and later with the Intl Security Assistance Force are covered. The decision to stay after the victory over the Taliban is complicated by not having any idea on a coherent strategy and those lessons on COIN from Vietnam would have been helpful.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN IRAQ: May 2003—January 2007
Really too short and the article ends as the surge begins. Tough lessons relearned. Not the strongest chapter in the book.
There are no easy solutions to this type of warfare. Success is often a product of determination, will and patience. Each conflict is different. Yet there are some themes that carry over. Gathering intelligence is often the difference in winning or losing. In order to get the intel on the insurgent/rebel/partisan/terrorist/revolutionary/freedom fighter (language can have a huge impact), you have to focus on the population and not necessarily the fighters. A common thread in these stories is the lack of sharing lessons learned or applying the wrong lessons from other conflicts. A very interesting book.
Here are the conflicts covered:
IN AID OF THE CIVIL POWER: Britain, Ireland and Palestine 1918—48
The troubles in Ireland from 1919-1921 are covered briefly. Eventually the British find operational and tactical methods of dealing with the republican forces. The main outcome was an excellent analysis of insurgency warfare, with a focus on intelligence gathering that was not widely shared. The British had exposure to a problem they would face many more times but the lessons were not forwarded.
The British mandate in Palestine is discussed. Dealing with both the Arabs and the Jews, as both partners and opponents, the Brits have their hands full. Often individuals can have major impact. Orde Wingate was one. Montgomery was another, having just won a major conventional war, he wanted to stay out of the “politics” which is the point of an insurgency. Things don’t go well.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES 1898—1954
Surprisingly, the 1899-1902 counterinsurgency effort was a successful campaign, even though the Americans didn’t speak the language, were a long way from home in a strange place and were arrayed against people they didn’t know. But a successful strategy was developed, relying on good intelligence and focusing on the population of various areas.
The Huk rebellion after WWII was successfully countered by the Filipino leader Ramon Magsaysay. A very interesting story.
THE FIRST OF THE BANANA WARS: US Marines in Nicaragua 1909—12
The US Marines begin to evolve to their current structure. A multisided conflict not strictly an insurgency but has some good lessons.
FEW CARROTS AND A LOT OF STICKS: German Anti-Partisan Warfare in World War Two
The question here is whether the COIN campaign is successful in the larger theater. The campaign in the east is the main focus. The Germans made little effort to support locals. After all, the easterners were the untermenschen, so why would the German army work with them? The Germans were all force and we are left to consider if that was enough in this circumstance. The German efforts against the French resistance, such as it was, is covered post D-Day. Basically the Germans used force where needed but without the ideological fervor of the Ostfront. The exceptions were the SS atrocities in Tulle and Oradour.
FRENCH IMPERIAL WARFARE 1945—61
Indochina and Algeria are covered nicely. Since the French got their butts kicked by the Germans in a few weeks, the indigenous population of the French colonies did not feel particularly obligated to accept recolonization. Of course, the rising nationalism and self-determination ideas easily beat colonialism. Despite some excellent tactical innovations and flexibility, the French used too much military force and not enough political and economic elements to succeed.
What stood out in this conflict was the overreaction of the French military and pied noir militias after the Phillipeville massacres in Aug 1955. Terror as a tactic can work. It did here.
FROM SEARCH AND DESTROY TO HEARTS AND MINDS: The Evolution of British Strategy in Malaya 1948—60
The COIN conflict held up as the epitome of success. It didn’t start well. But flexibility and the willingness to learn can lead to better results. “Winning the hearts and minds” as a strategy started here in earnest.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN VIETNAM: American Organizational Culture and Learning
An insurgency that the US Army tried to fit into a conventional mindset. The US Marines, CIA and Special Forces have success in developing new tactics and approaches. Never widely adopted until too late when the home front was demanding a pullout. The biggest error—the US military dumped all its lessons learned at the end of the war. These had to be relearned the hard way in Iraq and Afghanistan.
RED WOLVES AND BRITISH LIONS: The Conflict in Aden
A lesser known conflict but some interesting experiences gained.
BRITAIN’S LONGEST WAR: Northern Ireland 1967—2007
I found this to be the most riveting and educational piece in the entire book.
COUNTERING THE CHIMURENGA: The Rhodesian Counterinsurgency Campaign 1962—80
Another less well known conflict but mine-resistant vehicles have their genesis here.
THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES AND THE AL-AQSA INTIFADA: When Tactical Virtuosity Meets Strategic Disappointment
The first article where I felt the writer was biased and did not give an objective review. The Israelis combat Palestinian attacks from 2000 to 2005 and learn from their results. Tactical success does not lead to strategic success but, in some cases, that is all you can get. I was in Israel towards the end of this conflict and saw some results of both sides efforts.
LESSONS IN 21ST-CENTURY COUNTERINSURGENCY: Afghanistan 2001—2007
The results in Op Enduring Freedom and later with the Intl Security Assistance Force are covered. The decision to stay after the victory over the Taliban is complicated by not having any idea on a coherent strategy and those lessons on COIN from Vietnam would have been helpful.
COUNTERINSURGENCY IN IRAQ: May 2003—January 2007
Really too short and the article ends as the surge begins. Tough lessons relearned. Not the strongest chapter in the book.
February 3, 2018
Good format and introduction to several counter-insurgency campaigns of the 20th and 21st century. As the international involvement in Iraq/Afghanistan is still ongoing and the fact that the book was published in 2010, the last two chapters don't provide a full picture of the campaign, although they do give the reader a fairly good understanding of the first years of the counterinsurgency, failures, and a perspective of how the campaigns were viewed in 2010. The other chapters, however, do provide good snapshots and overviews of their respective campaigns and would be a good start for any future reading.
September 12, 2020
A broad look at COIN, its application, countermeasures, and the effectiveness thereof in many 20th and 21st century examples. If you want a broad overview of the subject matter, it will suit you well enough, but I would have personally preferred something either more theoretical, or more in-depth.
January 27, 2016
This volume is incredibly useful to anyone who wants to understand the practical implications of counterinsurgency theory, and how it has played out within specific case studies. This book looks at 14 different case studies in which Western powers have become involved in insurgency campaigns, and the extent to which they were successful in their attempts to co-opt rebellion and win over the local population. Case studies range from French and British imperial defense, to Nazi responses to partisan warfare, as well as American involvement in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionaly, the chapters on Columbian and Rhodesian COIN are brief but highly useful to any individual not overly familiar with those conflicst. Highly reccomended.
January 22, 2012
A collection of analysis of the various counter insurgencies strategies adopted in different theaters in the modern age. My takeaway is that such efforts can be successful only when force used is backed up by genuine political reform/ concessions to take the wind out of any insurgencies. The last two paragraphs on Afghanistan and Iraq are still works in progress and will require updating as developments occur. Overall a good book if you are looking for quick intro and analysis of the different counterinsurgency theaters e.g. Malaya, Rhodesia, Columbia, Ireland.
January 10, 2011
A thorough study of a number of counterinsurgencies that have met, or are meeting, with varied degrees of success. I felt it would have been a stronger book if the authors and editor had done more to extract lessons learned from the history covered and thereby put together a generic list of dos and don'ts - there was some material of this type, but I wanted more. Still, a lot of hard work and a useful reference for military or sociological historians.
February 18, 2011
Marston edited a group of articles on COIN. Very informative, especially the Malay emergency and the Rhodesian fight. However, the articles only have a broad applicability to todays COIN environment in Afghanistan; many of the techniques simply don't apply. Also, the ever-pervasive eye of the "independent" media limits the effectiveness of any COIN strategy.
March 20, 2016
A tight, concise overview; at best a starting point for further research. It was a very well-timed book, but I would like to see a revised edition released with new data from the last decade as well as a comprehensive bibliography for further reading.
Read
December 10, 2008Reading this for my COIN class...its a nice succinct history of COIN operations.
November 29, 2009
This is a good explanation of counter insurgency complete with very practical examples for those without much background in military studies or history
Want to read
August 28, 2019From the Philippines in the late 19th century, through the local conflicts of the Cold War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
September 22, 2012
I'll let you decide as I contributed the Israeli case study in this book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews