Journal Article - Civil Wars

Ten Ways to Lose at Counterinsurgency

| December 2007

Abstract

Counterinsurgency is one of the most important topics facing policymakers and scholars. Existing studies of counterinsurgency are very valuable, but sometimes adhere too strictly to sweeping dichotomies and paradigms. This article discusses ten specific mechanisms that lead counterinsurgent governments to squander their generally overwhelming power advantages. This mechanism-based approach can improve both policy and scholarly analysis.

For more information on this publication: Please contact International Security
For Academic Citation: Greenhill, Kelly M. and Paul Staniland. “Ten Ways to Lose at Counterinsurgency.” Civil Wars, vol. 9. no. 4. (December 2007):
402-419
.

The Authors

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