Rethinking Western Approaches to Counterinsurgency: Lessons From Post-Colonial Conflict

331 Pages·2015·1.749 MB·English

by  Glenn, Russell W

Russell Glenn, one of the most original thinkers and diligent researchers
on Counterinsurgency, has done us an enormous favour. Recognizing the
limits of a theory based solely on the canon of mid- twentieth century cases
like Malaya and Algeria, he gives a much- needed corrective, analyzing
modern variations of insurgency, and the range of innovative responses to
it. This insightful book should be required reading for all students and
practitioners of this complex and constantly- evolving form of war.
David J. Kilcullen, Counterinsurgency Advisor to the International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan
With conflict and chaos in much of North Africa, the Middle East, and
Central Asia, the need to understand counterinsurgency is as great as ever.
COIN isn’t dead; we just need to do it better. Russ Glenn’s pioneering new
book outlines lessons from eight recent – and little known – insurgencies.
It is essential reading.
Nicholas P. Warner, Director- General, Australian Secret Intelligence Service
Insurgency is changing in shape and form; to counter it successfully, we
must adapt accordingly. This book is a timely, thought-p rovoking and crit-
ical examination of our current approaches to counterinsurgency, chal-
lenging many widely-h eld tenets. A “must read” for practitioners. It will
probably find its way on to the insurgents’ reading list, too.
Sir John P. Kiszely, former Director of the UK Defence Academy and Senior British
Military Representative and Deputy Commanding General,
Multinational Force, Iraq
A comprehensive, thoughtful analysis of the evolution of the theory and
practice of counterinsurgency operations – with superb case studies and
well- considered conclusions that should be studied carefully by any student
or practitioner of COIN.
General David H. Petraeus, US Army, Retired
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Rethinking Western Approaches to
Counterinsurgency
This book critically examines the Western approach to counterinsurgency
in the post-c olonial era and offers a series of recommendations to address
current shortfalls.
The author argues that current approaches to countering insurgency
rely too heavily on conflicts from the post- World War II years of waning
colonialism. Campaigns conducted over half a century ago – Malaya,
Aden, and Kenya among them – remain primary sources on which the
United States, British, Australian, and other militaries build their guidance
for dealing with insurgent threats, though both the character of those
threats and the conflict environment are significantly different than was
the case in those earlier years. This book addresses the resulting inconsist-
encies by offering insights, analysis, and recommendations drawn from
campaigns more applicable to counterinsurgency today.
Eight post- colonial conflicts – to include Northern Ireland, Sierra
Leone, Colombia and Iraq – provide the basis for analysis. All are exam-
ples in which counterinsurgents attained or continue to demonstrate
considerable progress when taking on enterprises better known for dis-
aster and disappointment. Recommendations resulting from these ana-
lyses challenge entrenched beliefs to serve as the impetus for essential
change.
Rethinking Western Approaches to Counterinsurgency will be of much interest
to students of counterinsurgencies, military and strategic studies, security
studies and IR in general.
Russell W. Glenn is Senior Lecturer in military operations and national
security studies at The Australian National University, Canberra. He has a
PhD in American History from the University of Kansas.
Studies in Insurgency, Counterinsurgency and National
Security
Series Editors:
Paul Rich
Editor of Small Wars and Insurgencies
and
Isabelle Duyvesteyn
Utrecht University
This series seeks to publish comparative surveys as well as more detailed
in- depth case studies on insurgent movements and counter- insurgent
responses. The aim is to provide both fresh and innovative analytical per-
spectives on new and hitherto unknown or neglected research materials
and documentation, including the resources from historical archives as
well as oral or field work data.
The Theory and Practice of Irregular Warfare
Warrior- scholarship in counter- insurgency
Edited by Andrew Mumford and Bruno Reis
Indian National Security and Counter- Insurgency
The use of force vs non- violent response
Namrata Goswami
Rethinking Western Approaches to Counterinsurgency
Lessons from post- colonial conflict
Russell W. Glenn
Rethinking Western
Approaches to
Counterinsurgency
Lessons from post- colonial conflict
Russell W. Glenn
First published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Russell W. Glenn
The right of Russell W. Glenn to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing- in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging- in-Publication Data
Glenn, Russell W.
Rethinking western approaches to counterinsurgency : lessons from
post-colonial conflict / Russell W. Glenn.
pages cm. – (Studies in insurgency, counterinsurgency and
national security)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Counterinsurgency. 2. Counterinsurgency–Case studies. I. Title.
U241.G544 2015
355.02'18–dc23 2014043676
ISBN: 978-1-138-81933-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-74465-0 (ebk)
Typeset in Baskerville
by Wearset Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear
Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders for their
permission to reprint material in this book. The publishers would be
grateful to hear from any copyright holder who is not here
acknowledged and will undertake to rectify any errors or omissions
in future editions of this book.
To all who read to learn
Who learn to improve
Who improve to serve
And who serve with an open mind for the greater good
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Contents
Acknowledgments x
1 Introduction 1
2 Applying the iron fist in Chechnya and Sri Lanka 19
3 Twice successful, still challenged: insurgency in
twenty- first-century Southern Philippines 44
4 Counterinsurgency at home: perseverance in
Northern Ireland 78
5 Counterinsurgency lessons from a civil war: Sierra
Leone 110
6 Interdicting insurgency: applying a comprehensive
approach in the Solomon Islands 148
7 Taking on criminal insurgency: Colombian progress
against the FARC 180
8 The operational oil spot and rise of the militias:
COIN in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province 205
9 Further contemplation on revised beliefs 231
10 Additional recommendations and concluding
thoughts 265
Bibliography 283
Index 307