Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice

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Description

This volume in the Praeger Security International (PSI) series Classics of the Counterinsurgency Era defines the laws of insurgency and outlines the strategy and tactics to combat such threats. Drawn from the observations of a French officer, David Galula, who witnessed guerrilla warfare on three continents, the book remains relevant today as American policymakers, military analysts, and members of the public look to the counterinsurgency era of the 1960s for lessons to apply to the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With a new foreword by John A. Nagl, author of Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam (Praeger, 2002).

Reviews

One sign of an expert is the ability to clearly and concisely analyze and explain his subject. LTC David Galula's Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice achieves both goals admirably. . . . Counterinsurgency Warfare should be required reading for every military officer and noncommissioned officer, as well as today's political leaders. Armed with Galula's insightful wisdom, the American military can be armed against the mistakes of Vietnam and Iraq. * Marine Corps Gazette *
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not withering away for lack of a mission, says Moore, but is ascending from triumph to triumph. She describes how, under the first President Bush and President Clinton, it increased democracy and unity in Europe, and since 9/11 has extended its efforts beyond Europe to birth a new political order in parts of the world suffering from instability. * Reference & Research Book News *
This is a soldier's book, written by a professional with a classical military education. . . . [i]t has become required reading for students of warfare generally, and especially for soldiers and policymakers dealing with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. * ARMY *

Author Bio

DAVID GALULA (1919-1967) was born to French parents in Tunisia and raised in Morocco, earning his baccalaureat in Casablanca and attending the military academy at Saint-Cyr. Graduated on the eve of World War II, he saw action in North Africa, Italy, and France. An officer of the marine infantry in the old colonial army, he was assigned to China and also served with the United Nations as a military observer in Greece and military attache in Hong Kong. Colonel Galula was stationed in Algeria at the time of the revolt by the French army. Shortly before retiring he wrote Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice, while in residence at the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University.