Journal

The February 2014 take-down of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, the notorious over-lord of the Sinaloa Cartel, has had a rippling effect on the drug war in northern Mexico.

Few historical comparisons have proven to be as useful for military officers today as that of the war that the French government fought against the Front de Libération Nationale.

America’s profession of arms is an institution grounded on the nature of ethics and propriety dating back to its inception.

Community Ecosystem Analysis: Using Data to Apply Military Counterinsurgency Principles to Community Policing

In his review of the updated FM 3-24, Bing West has some harsh words about the manual’s academic tint,  Charles J. Dunlap is also unimpressed.

Still Shortchanged: Some Observations About the New Army/Marine Corps COIN Doctrine

The Normandy invasion is usually depicted with great crashes, bangs and volcanic energy combined with broad scenes of masses of material and manpower.

If doctrine collapses in practice, do not repeat it. We tried COIN as nation-building twice, and twice it failed.

USSOCOM and USAID came together in 2013 in order to develop a capability that would increase inter- and intra-governmental information sharing and collaboration.

This article examines how the lay-out of Westgate Mall shaped the Westgate Mall attack and the response to it.

The Zero Dark Six Sigma Learning Organization Black Belt: What Should Businesses Learn From McChrystal and The Military Post 9/11?

The new U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps counterinsurgency doctrine, "Insurgency and Countering Insurgencies" has some good things to offer but also has several flaws. 

Original and Good: The New US Army and Marine Corps “Insurgencies and Countering Insurgencies” Field Manual.

The quote alone justifies the publication of the new FM 3-24/MCWP 3-33.5.  And the new title is worth noting as well – “Insurgencies and Countering Insurgencies.”

A few observations on the new COIN manual "Insurgencies and Countering Insurgencies".

Insurgencies and Countering Insurgencies: 21st Century Doctrine for an Ancient Way of War - Review of the new COIN manual.

The ability of Americans and partners to coordinate and cooperate will greatly influence how successful we are at addressing the international security threats of the 21st Century.

As long as Syrian President Bashir al-Assad is allowed to stay, Syria’s future is sectarian division between Alawites/Shia and Sunni/Kurds. Christians will have no future.

Effective discourse can have very real and significant influence on military decisions and is a key to better group decision making.

How grievances have become a tool of Islamic extremists intent on righting perceived wrongs as determined by their interpretations of Islam.

This article provides ten tips focused at the tactical level to assist combat leaders on advising host nation security forces on using warrant based targeting.

"... Still coming from William Lind, the “self-professed” inventor, or re-inventor, of the concept of maneuver warfare it cannot be lightly disregarded."

Dueling With Clausewitz: Games of Preemption, Wars of Attrition, and Deconstructing a Classic Analogy for Understanding the Fundamental Nature of the First World War

The IC largely fails to plan and take into consideration sociocultural facets typical to a population within the purview of a unit’s operational environment.

Schizophrenic Doctrine: Why We Need to Separate Democratization Out of Stability and COIN Doctrine

By assessing individual megacities through this framework, the Army can better understand how it might operate as part of a joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational force.

What we propose is unique, demanding, immersive, and fills a necessary gap.  This article is a condensed form of a more detailed analysis and description of the proposed Army Cyber Leader Course.

The proper question is not what helicopter should the Army be using today, but rather what should the Army be developing for tomorrow.

Calling “Team Yankee”: Why the U.S. Needs Heavy Armor Back in Europe

The goal of this paper is to contribute to the debate surrounding the question of whether or not American foreign policy has become excessively interventionist.

Not only does non-lethal anti-access represent an option for America’s potential adversaries, in some cases it is the only option, and may be the option of last resort.

From Riots to Vigil: The Community, the Police and Mark Duggan’s Legacy

This article thus aims to bring back to light India’s national security policies following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

"Russia seized on an opportunity and took the initiative."

This is meant as a poetic book review of The Insurgents by Fred Kaplan. It is about how General Petraeus and others tried to advance Army doctrine by incorporating counterinsurgency TTP.

The military must be kept in conversation with the populace it serves or risk the rise of a warrior class unable to relate to or understand the public they are defending.

The purpose of this essay is to enter into an ongoing debate regarding the definition of an ended insurgency.

High-level language skills for Special Forces personnel are a requirement for current and future operations, but they are very difficult and costly to achieve and maintain.

Lessons from the Post 9/11 Campaigns: Small Wars Journal Discussion with General John R. Allen.

VSO incorporates aspects of a US sponsored insurgency by attempting to expand government influence and administration to areas under the control of an occupying power.

Cyberwar is War: A Critique of “Hacking Can Reduce Real-World Violence”

The Lieutenant Don't Know: One Marine's Story of Warfare and Combat Logistics in Afghanistan by Captain Jeffrey Clement.

There is no shortage of literature on Hezbollah’s history, ideology and strategies, but comparatively less addressing the group’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.

Conceptualizing Human Domain Management: Human Network Analysis and Engagement (HNAE) Operations

Joint Professional Military Education: Anticipating at the Speed of the Environment

Black Spots Are No Treasure Island: Land Tenure and Property Rights in Megacities

At a Crossroads: Flashpoints and Opportunities in U.S. Relations with the Muslim Brotherhood

Transnational crime and its associated transnational illicit networks pose a challenge to sovereignty and governance by fostering corruption and impunity.

Reflections on the Continuities in War and Warfare: SWJ Discussion with Major General H.R. McMaster

This paper analyses the concept of War Amongst the People proposed by General Rupert Smith in his book “The Utility of Force: the Art of War in the Modern World”.