Understanding proto-insurgencies /
Daniel Byman
- 2008
Analysis of the factors that contribute to the successful transition of some small scale terrorist and guerilla groups into full blown insurgencies and how they can be countered. Given the vulnerability of such groups in their early development period more attention should be given to dealing with them then. This involves police rather than military work and a willingness at the political level to accept compromises or offer alternatives. Notes that the United States has limited bureaucratic mechanisms to assist foreign governments in these areas and the paramilitary field is particularly poorly provided for. Notes also the dangers of successfully countering a protoinsurgency in one country only to have it resurface elsewhere in another guise.