NCJ Number
230435
Journal
Journal of Strategic Security Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2009 Pages: 73-90
Date Published
May 2009
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines the importance of good intelligence as a successful weapon in the fight against modern insurgencies.
Abstract
In previous wars and military actions, the United States has run effective insurgencies against its enemies. There have also been times when the insurgencies were not successful. This paper examines past successes and failures by the United States and other countries of both insurgencies and counterinsurgencies in order to discover what actions are needed to engage in a successful and effective counterinsurgency and understand why good intelligence is critical to this process. The paper examines the American Revolution from 1775-1783; the Boer Wars from 1880-1881 and 1899-1902; the Filipino Insurgency during World War II from 1942-1945; the Soviet-Afghan War and its aftermath from 1979-September 2001; and the United States involvement in the Lebanese Civil War from 1982-1984. This is followed by a discussion of the lessons learned from these actions. Table, endnotes, and bibliography