Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias
The Warriors of Contemporary Combat
Richard H Shultz author Andrea J Dew author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Columbia University Press
Published:24th Nov '09
Should be back in stock very soon
By focusing on four specific hotbeds of instability-Somalia, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Iraq-Richard H. Shultz Jr. and Andrea J. Dew carefully analyze tribal culture and clan associations, examine why "traditional" or "tribal" warriors fight, identify how these groups recruit, and where they find sanctuary, and dissect the reasoning behind their strategy. Their new introduction evaluates recent developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the growing prevalence of Shultz and Dew's conception of irregular warfare, and the Obama Defense Department's approach to fighting insurgents, terrorists, and militias. War in the post-Cold War era cannot be waged through traditional Western methods of combat, especially when friendly states and outside organizations like al-Qaeda serve as powerful allies to the enemy. Bridging two centuries and several continents, Shultz and Dew recommend how conventional militaries can defeat these irregular yet highly effective organizations.
Since the end of the Cold War, conventional militaries and their political leaders have confronted a new, brutal type of warfare in which non-state armed groups use asymmetrical tactics to successfully fight larger, technologically superior forces. In order to prevent future bloodshed and political chaos, it is crucial to understand how these unconventional armed groups think and to adapt to their methods of combat. Richard H. Shultz Jr. and Andrea J. Dew investigate the history and politics of modern asymmetrical warfare. By focusing on four specific hotbeds of instability-Somalia, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Iraq-Shultz and Dew conduct a careful analysis of tribal culture and the value of clan associations. They examine why these "traditional" or "tribal" warriors fight, how they recruit, where they find sanctuary, and what is behind their strategy. Traveling across two centuries and several continents, Shultz and Dew examine the doctrinal, tactical, and strategic advantages and consider the historical, cultural, and anthropological factors behind the motivation and success of the warriors of contemporary combat. In their provocative argument, Shultz and Dew propose that war in the post-Cold War era cannot be waged through traditional Western methods of combat, especially when friendly states and outside organizations like al-Qaeda serve as powerful allies to the enemy. Thoroughly researched and highly readable, Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias examines how non-state armies fight, identifies the patterns and trends of their combat, and recommends how conventional militaries can defeat these irregular yet highly effective organizations.
If you are interested in either irregular warfare or counterinsurgency, you should add this book to your reading list. Military Review Like it or not, the wars of tomorrow will be fought by small units of fighters who will operate unconventionally. Shultz and Dew have written a first-rate primer about these warriors of contemporary combat. Most importantly, they tell all who care-including, one hopes, the decision makers in the Pentagon and White House-a great deal about how to fight in places like Afghanistan and Iraq before things go wrong. Is anyone listening? -- Seymour M. Hersh, author of Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias authoritatively traces the evolution of conflict in the twenty-first century and incisively analyzes the formidable national security challenges confronting both established nation-states and the international system. The concluding section's discussion of lessons learned for policymakers, military planners, and intelligence analysts makes the book an especially valuable contribution to the literature. -- Bruce Hoffman, author of Inside Terrorism and senior fellow, Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY This scholarly book is grounded in warfare theory, but is easily accessible for generalist readers. Publishers Weekly Wise and cogent. -- Robert Kaplan Wall Street Journal This is one in a handful of truly important books... It is fresh, innovative and immensely informative. -- Michael J. Bonafield Star Tribune [Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias] should be on every Pentagon reading list. -- Austin Bay Human Events Online [They] have done more than write a book on America's new enemies. The two authors have done a public service. -- Rowan Scarborough The Washington Times A succinct and well-presented history of the birth and growth of the extremist Muslim fundamentalist political movement. -- Col. Will Holahan Officer Thoroughly researched and highly readable... Examines how non-state armies fight, identifies the patterns and trends of their combat, and recommends how conventional militaries can defeat these irregular... organizations. -- LtCol Charles L. Armstrong Marine Corps Gazette Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias is a useful introduction to the topic of traditional warriors and modern warfare. -- Walter Ladwig Military Review [This book] provides valuable insight on what must be considered to set conditions for the commitment of military forces in future conflicts. Proceedings Magazine, US Naval Institute An excellent primer on the nature of warfare and our likely enemies in the twenty-first century. Parameters This is undoubtedly the single best book written on what has become a true global war on terror. -- Leo J. Daugherty, III, Ph.D. Journal of Slavic Military Studies [An] excellent study. -- Depaak Lal The International History Highly recommended for all senior policymakers, military planners, and soldiers on the ground who will have to confront traditional warriors face to face. Canadian Military Journal The book offers an excellent model Miliatary Review
- Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2006
ISBN: 9780231129831
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
328 pages