Dr. Sebastian L. v. Gorka:Dr. Sebastian L. v. Gorka:

The Age of Irregular Warfare: The Age of Irregular Warfare: - So What? - So What?

Hybrid Warfare PanelNational Defense University

21 Sept 2011

DisclaimerDisclaimer

The views herein expressed do not The views herein expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Defense or any US Department of Defense or any other US Government Department other US Government Department or Agency or Agency

From: S. Gorka and D. Kilcullen: An Actor-Centric Theory of War – JFQ 60, 20011

The Classic COIN Data-Set of Case-Studies

Most Analyzed : Malaya Burma Algeria Nicaragua

Vietnam N. Ireland The Philippines

Less Popular : Angola Oman Afghanistan (Soviet) El Salvador

Greece ColombiaMozambique ChinaZimbabwe India (Naxalite)

East Timor Jammu and Kashmir

Congo Sri Lanka

TOTAL: 21

Clausewitz and Irregular WarfareClausewitz and Irregular Warfare

From: S. Gorka and D. Kilcullen: An Actor-CentricTheory of War – JFQ 60, 20011

SO WHAT?SO WHAT? America’s understanding of COIN is partial America’s understanding of COIN is partial

and and veryvery 20 20thth century century Afghanistan is not COIN - it is past even Afghanistan is not COIN - it is past even

COIN 2.0 - since it involves “nation COIN 2.0 - since it involves “nation formation” and is not (post-)colonialformation” and is not (post-)colonial

Classic COIN doctrine is very limited in Classic COIN doctrine is very limited in helping us in today’s theaterhelping us in today’s theater

We must broaden our data-set of COIN We must broaden our data-set of COIN studiesstudies

We must recognize that Irregular Warfare is We must recognize that Irregular Warfare is Regular and that Clausewitzian principles Regular and that Clausewitzian principles are limited in applicationare limited in application

Dr. Sebastian L. v. GorkaDr. Sebastian L. v. Gorka

Tel. 703 300 5014Tel. 703 300 5014

seb.gorka@gmail.com

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?