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As insurgent threats evolve and assume new forms, the United States must also evolve in its ability to counter potentially prolonged threats in several parts of the world. Because of the potential for global reach in contemporary insurgencies, the ability to draw on lessons learned from past counterinsurgency (COIN) campaigns using different historical cases can be valuable, helping current and future leaders prevent a repetition of mistakes and building a foundation on which to build contemporary responses. To this end, six historic COIN operations from the 19th and 20th centuries are examined to determine which tactics, techniques, and procedures led to success and which to failure. The Philippines, Algeria, Vietnam, El Salvador, Jammu and Kashmir, and Colombia were chosen for their varied characteristics relating to geography, historical era, outcome, type of insurgency faced, and level of U.S. involvement. Specific issues examined include the counterinsurgents’ ability to innovate and adapt, the need to find a way to recognize the threat, and tactics for confronting it.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter One

    Introduction

  • Chapter Two

    The Philippines (1899-1902)

  • Chapter Three

    Algeria (1954-1962)

  • Chapter Four

    Vietnam (1959-1972)

  • Chapter Five

    El Salvador (1980-1992)

  • Chapter Six

    Jammu and Kashmir (1947-Present)

  • Chapter Seven

    Colombia (1963-Present)

  • Chapter Eight

    Conclusions: Lessons Learned for Future Counterinsurgencies

The research described in this report was prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The research was conducted in the 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.

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