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How Wars Are Won - Insurgencies
Jul. 3rd, 2008 08:50 amOne will note from yesterday that the Plains Indian wars went on for 30 years. This war was arguably a continuation of a war that started when Europeans first came to this continent. Although WWII was fairly short, history is rife with examples of long term nation-state conflict. For example, France and England were in conflict from around 1300 to 1815, with many wars and cold wars.
In some ways, our recently-ended Cold War is both a good and a bad model for this Long War. However, we have multiple enemies here, so we will have to use different strategies. Part of this is understanding who we’re fighting. We really have four adversaries, three of whom can be considered insurgents. Today's focus is on the insurgents, and Iran will be Monday's discussion topic.
( read more )
Treating Al-Queda like an insurgency suggests that we'll be at it for a while. Killing one insurgent leader, although necessary, makes room for another one to step up. That's the bad news. But by removing popular support for the insurgency, it will fade away.
In some ways, our recently-ended Cold War is both a good and a bad model for this Long War. However, we have multiple enemies here, so we will have to use different strategies. Part of this is understanding who we’re fighting. We really have four adversaries, three of whom can be considered insurgents. Today's focus is on the insurgents, and Iran will be Monday's discussion topic.
( read more )
Treating Al-Queda like an insurgency suggests that we'll be at it for a while. Killing one insurgent leader, although necessary, makes room for another one to step up. That's the bad news. But by removing popular support for the insurgency, it will fade away.
