Doing What You Know
Last updated 05:48 PM EDT • Read time: 2m
The United States and 250 Years of Irregular War
The United States has been continuously engaged in irregular combat since initiating operations in Afghanistan the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S. homeland. Its military forces, particularly the Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Forces, have made significant adaptations after the onset of the insurgency in Iraq following the initial success of conventional operations there in 2003. Yet, victory—achieving the desired political objectives—in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to elude the United States more than fifteen years into the Global War on Terrorism despite significant investments in blood and treasure. With this study, CSBA Senior Fellow Dave Johnson endeavors to answer the question: Why is that?
The United States has a long history of engaging in irregular wars and countering insurgencies, one that predates its independence. Many of these efforts, as will be recounted, were successful. Others were not. To understand what worked, what did not, and why, this study assesses the measures, both coercive and benign, that the United States has used in a limited number of pivotal cases to determine if U.S. irregular warfare and counterinsurgency (COIN) approaches have changed significantly over the past two centuries. It also makes recommendations for the future.
DOWNLOAD PDF - Download full “Doing What You Know: The United States and 250 Years of Irregular War” report.
READ FULL PUBLICATION - Read the full publication “Doing What You Know: The United States and 250 Years of Irregular War” report using our online e-reader tool.
Iranian Cyber Operations
By Michael Groen • RealClearDefense
Reflecting on an Epic Horse Campaign in the Mountains of Afghanistan
By Brian Glyn Williams • RealClearDefense
The Godfather of American Foreign Policy Realism Speaks to Today’s World
By Francis P. Sempa • RealClearDefense
In Pursuit of Nuclear Abolition
By Peter Huessy • RealClearDefense
Innovation Alone Won’t Prepare the U.S. for the Future Battlefield
By Joshua Segal • RealClearDefense
26th MEU – U.S. Needs Crisis Response MAGTF
By Marine Corps Compass Points
The Influence of History on a Sea Power
By CDR Salamander
Navy Civilianizes Six Former Flag Billets, Reduces Six to Captains
By Mongilio, USNI N.
Raytheon's $8B Contract for Strategic Comms Terminal Modernization
By M+A El
America’s Maritime Moment Will Not Wait
By CDR Salamander