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Why Counterinsurgency Fails

The US in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

  • Presents a solution for failed US counterinsurgency campaigns, developed and tested in Afghanistan

  • Analyzed how David Petraeus's counterinsurgency policy is correct in principle but never effectively implemented

  • Explains how the failed counterinsurgency policy mirrors the problems the international development community has encountered in fragile states

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

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About this book

This book examines why the U.S. counterinsurgency campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have failed and presents a solution for future counterinsurgency campaigns that was developed and tested in Afghanistan in the hope that it will spark a conversation that will shape the next counterinsurgency war to U.S. advantage. The author argues that both development assistance and counterinsurgency campaigns - which often go hand in hand -  overwhelm weak states with too much money, too many projects, and too many consultants, leading to weaker rather than stronger governments. The solution proposed, was initially developed by David Petraeus but never effectively implemented. Using an insider's perspective, this volume explains the details of this solution and the problem with its mis-implementation in Afghanistan.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, USA

    Dennis de Tray

About the author

Dennis de Tray is Senior Non-Resident Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Principal at the Results for Development Institute, both in Washington, D.C.

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