Latest In

News

Series: The Rise of the Counterinsurgents

National security reporter Spencer Ackerman explores a circle of counterinsurgency thinkers as they rise in influence and prominence in the U.S.

Jul 31, 20202023 Shares26975 Views
National security reporter Spencer Ackerman explores a circle of counterinsurgency thinkers as they rise in influence and prominence in the U.S. military.
PART ONE: The Colonels and ‘The Matrix’
A group of young thinkers has triggered a simmering debate about how far the military should go in embracing counterinsurgency.
PART TWO: A Famous Enigma
An ascending band of counterinsurgent thinkers wonder if Ray Odierno — the Army’s new vice chief of staff — fits their mold.
Many military analysts view the general’s pending promotion as a mixed blessing.
Moqtada Sadr remains the most powerful political figure in Iraq. How has he consistently maintained strength?
PART FIVE: King David
Gen. David H. Petraeus used the principles of counterinsurgency to lead the surge of U.S. forces in Iraq. In an interview with The Washington Independent he talks about the hard road ahead.
Government experts from Iraq and Afghanistan have largely been left out of counterinsurgency efforts, even though civilians are critical for success.
Unlike much of the defense field, a significant number of women are both members — and leaders — in the emerging circle of counterinsurgency thinkers.
A forthcoming handbook, written by a former top aide to Gen. David H. Petraeus, aims to help Washington decision makers avoid intervening in the costly, un-winnable counterinsurgency efforts of foreign nations.
The U.S. military is using economy of force and intimate knowledge of the local population to combat the insurgency in Afghanistan.
The Counterinsurgency Center teaches officers not to think “terrorism-bad” but “clinically” when combating insurgents. But some in the military worry that traditional military functions are eroding because of an overemphasis on counterinsurgency.
William Willis

William Willis

Reviewer
William Willis is a freelance writer and social media manager who specializes in assisting finance professionals and Fintech entrepreneurs in growing their online audience and attracting more paying customers. William worked as a bank teller and virtual assistant for financial firms in the United States and the United Kingdom for six years before beginning her writing career. William is a strong force in the workplace, inspiring others to work hard and excel with his optimistic attitude and boundless energy. He enjoys hiking, crocheting, and playing video games with his children in his spare time.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles