Insurgents, Terrorists and Militias – The Wars of Contemporary Combat: The Warriors of Contemporary Combat - Hardcover

Richard H Shultz; Andrea J Dew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0231129823 ISBN 13: 9780231129824

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2006

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

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 is one in a handful of truly important books... It is fresh, innovative and immensely informative.--Michael J. Bonafield "Star Tribune "

[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 "

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

Wise and cogent.--Robert Kaplan "Wall Street Journal "

[Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias] should be on every Pentagon reading list.--Austin Bay "Human Events Online "

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 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 "

Synopsis

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.In Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias, 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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0231129823
• ISBN 13: 9780231129824
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400