Download

Download eBook for Free

Full Document

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 1 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience.

Summary Only

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 0.2 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience.

Purchase

Purchase Print Copy

 FormatList Price Price
Add to Cart Paperback138 pages $25.00 $20.00 20% Web Discount

The concept of irregular warfare has figured prominently in U.S. military doctrine and strategy, particularly over the past decade. Although irregular warfare includes a range of land-, air-, and maritime-based activities in which naval forces have played an integral role, there has been little examination of the operational and tactical characteristics or the strategic potential of such operations in maritime environments. An assessment of the maritime component of a series of historical and ongoing counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, unconventional warfare, and counterpiracy operations reveals that current notions of irregular warfare would benefit from increased recognition of the requirements and opportunities inherent in maritime contributions to campaigns. Specifically, the research shows that, in environments with a maritime component, maritime operations can have a noticeable comparative advantage over land-based operations in terms of mobility and often involve a smaller or less visible footprint in a host nation. A revised definition of maritime irregular warfare, like the one proposed here, must take into account the types of activities in which naval forces engage and the required level of involvement with the local population in the area of operations. Such considerations can serve to inform future U.S. force structure investments and doctrine in ways that have the potential to enhance both U.S. maritime operations and U.S. irregular warfare operations more generally.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter One

    Introduction

  • Chapter Two

    What Is Maritime Irregular Warfare?

  • Chapter Three

    The Case of Operation Enduring Freedom — Philippines

  • Chapter Four

    A Comparative Historical Analysis of Maritime Irregular Warfare

  • Chapter Five

    Adversary Capabilities in Maritime Irregular Warfare

  • Chapter Six

    Conclusions and Recommendations

The research described in this report was prepared for the United States Navy. The research was conducted within the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Monograph series. RAND monographs present major research findings that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND monographs undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.