COIN Goes "GLOCAL": Traditional COIN With a Global Perspective: Does the Current US Strategy Reflect COIN Theory, Doctrine and Principles

Abstract

Abstract : The post-9/11 security environment is extremely complex. There has been much discussion regarding the threat, nature of the conflict and the strategy to address this environment. It is the hypothesis of this monograph that the current conflict is most accurately characterized as a global counterinsurgency (COIN) against the Westphalia nation-state system by an Islamist terror network and the overarching jihadist movement and as such, the ends, ways and means of US national strategies must be congruent with COIN theory, doctrine and principles. In examining the ends, ways and means of the current national strategies, this monograph compares these strategies to COIN theory, doctrine and the principles and imperatives derived from historical and contemporary COIN experiences. The research leverages the classical COIN theory writings of O'Neill, Thompson, and Galula. It also references contemporary authors such as Kilcullen, Hoffman and Cassidy. Additionally, this monograph references the recently released COIN doctrine throughout.