Money in the Bank -- Lessons Learned from Past Counterinsurgency (COIN) Operations

This article was written by YPFP member Paraag Shukla and Angel Rabasa, Lesley Anne Warner, Peter Chalk, Ivan Khilko. It was first published in RAND OP-185 on September 15, 2007.

As insurgent threats evolve and assume new forms, the United States must also evolve in its ability to counter potentially prolonged threats in several parts of the world. Because of the potential for global reach in contemporary insurgencies, the ability to draw on lessons learned from past counterinsurgency (COIN) campaigns using different historical cases can be valuable, helping current and future leaders prevent a repetition of mistakes and building a foundation on which to build contemporary responses.

To this end, six historic COIN operations from the 19th and 20th centuries are examined to determine which tactics, techniques, and procedures led to success and which to failure. The Philippines, Algeria, Vietnam, El Salvador, Jammu and Kashmir, and Colombia were chosen for their varied characteristics relating to geography, historical era, outcome, type of insurgency faced, and level of U.S. involvement. Specific issues examined include the counterinsurgents’ ability to innovate and adapt, the need to find a way to recognize the threat, and tactics for confronting it.

View the full publication on the RAND website.

Now on the Blog

Terrorist Attacks in India: Some Initial Reactions

Posted by Anirudh Suri on November 28, 2008 - 2:04am.

The terrorist attacks in India have shocked the nation, and the world. I want to express my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences for the victims of these attacks and their families. The Indian security forces have displayed immense courage and fearlessness in rescuing hostages, including many foreign citizens, and securing all the buildings and landmarks that were attacked. As the encounters between the Indian security forces and the terrorists continue, we hope and pray that any further loss of innocent life is prevented.

Despite the heroic efforts of the forces, the terrorist act has raised serious doubts about India's intelligence and security apparatus. Indians have responded with an outpour of anger and outrage at this brazen attack, but they have also started to pose tough questions about the ability of the government to protect its citizens, and others residing in the country. The fact that this time around the terrorists specifically sought out and targeted British and American citizens points to the fact that terror attacks in India are no longer meant to hurt only Indians, but also to advance the cause of global jihadi movements.