News Release
United States Lacks the Capability to Counter Insurgency in the Muslim World
Feb 11, 2008
RAND Counterinsurgency Study -- Final Report
Format | File Size | Notes |
---|---|---|
PDF file | 2.4 MB | Best for desktop computers. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
ePub file | 8.7 MB | Best for mobile devices. On desktop computers and some mobile devices, you may need to download an eBook reader to view ePub files. Calibre is an example of a free and open source e-book library management application. |
Format | File Size | Notes |
---|---|---|
PDF file | 0.3 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Format | List Price | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Add to Cart | Paperback518 pages | $42.50 | $34.00 20% Web Discount |
The difficulties encountered by the United States in securing Iraq and Afghanistan despite years of effort and staggering costs raises the central question of the RAND Counterinsurgency Study: How should the United States improve its capabilities to counter insurgencies, particularly those that are heavily influenced by transnational terrorist movements and thus linked into a global jihadist network? This capstone volume to the study draws on other reports in the series as well as an examination of 89 insurgencies since World War II, an analysis of the new challenges posed by what is becoming known as global insurgency, and many of the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan. The report’s recommendations are based on the premise that counterinsurgency (COIN) is a contest for the allegiance of a nation’s population; victory over jihadist insurgency consists not of merely winning a war against terrorists but of persuading Islamic populations to choose legitimate government and reject violent religious tyranny. The authors evaluate three types of COIN capabilities: civil capabilities to help weak states improve their political and economic performance; informational and cognitive capabilities to enable better governance and improve COIN decisionmaking; and security capabilities to protect people and infrastructure and to weaken insurgent forces. Gompert and Gordon warn that U.S. capabilities are deficient in several critical areas but also emphasize that U.S. allies and international organizations can provide capabilities that the United States currently cannot. The authors conclude by outlining the investments, organizational changes within the federal government and the military, and international arrangements that the United States should pursue to improve its COIN capabilities.
Part I
The Challenge
Chapter One
Defining the Problem
Chapter Two
Framing the Problem
Chapter Three
Countering Type III Insurgency
Part II
Complete and Balanced Capabilities
Chapter Four
Overview of Capabilities Needed to Counter Type III Insurgency
Chapter Five
Civil Capabilities
Chapter Six
Information Capabilities
Chapter Seven
Perception and Cognition
Chapter Eight
General Security Capabilities
Chapter Nine
Local Security Capabilities
Chapter Ten
U.S. Security Capabilities
Part III
Organizing and Investing
Chapter Eleven
Multilateral Counterinsurgency
Chapter Twelve
Investment Priorities
Chapter Thirteen
Organization: Unsettled Structures for Unsettled Times
Chapter Fourteen
Implications and Recommendations
Appendix A
Eighty-Nine Insurgencies: Outcomes and Endings
Appendix B
Multilateral COIN Capacity
Appendix C
Indicators and Warnings
Appendix D
Ground-Force Tasks and Improvements
The research described in this report was prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The research was conducted in the RAND RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the OSD, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Department of 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.