A confluence of factors led to American engagement in one of Central America's most violent uprisings: the Salvadoran civil war. By the time of President Ronald Reagan's first term as president, the civil war had created social, political and...
This monograph discusses the role the American military instrument of power played in supporting the government of El Salvador during its battle against rebel forces during the period 1980-1992. The U.S. provided extensive military, political and...
Between the years of 1980 – 1992, civil war raged in El Salvador between the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a Marxist revolutionary movement, and the government of El Salvador (GoES). This monograph answers the following...
This monograph offers a way of thinking about counterinsurgency tactics. There are five salient propositions that bind the paper. First, tactical success in a Phase II insurgency (such is the nature of the Salvadoran insurgency) is defined as the...
"Nicaragua charges that, since at least 1982, the United States has used force against Nicaragua in the form of assistance to Nicaraguans fighting against the Sandinista regime. Any such actions, Nicaragua argues, are illegal and improper since...
This study outlines the influences that the outcome of the Vietnam War had on American foreign policy in another insurgency situation in the Republic of El Salvador during the formative years of that policy, 1979 to 1984. The presented concept...
As the year 2000 begins, the disintegration of Colombia in a situation of violence, political unrest, and economic upheaval is a very real threat to the national interests of the United States. It is critical that Washington’s concern for failed...
El Salvador is coming to the end of a civil war that cost more than 80,000 lives. This thesis surveys the factors which led to this war and, soon thereafter, to United States involvement. The historical, economic, social, and political development...
Interagency reform: the congressional perspective. Congressman Geoff Davis, speech given at PNSR/ROA Luncheon, 8 May 2008; Congressman Davis explains why we need to reform the interagency process in regard to national security and what must be...
This newsletter is a collection of articles focused on stability operations in the Western Hemisphere, specifically in Central and South America. Today, stability operations in Afghanistan and Iraq rightfully receive the lion’s share of our...
This paper will compare and contrast Special Forces counter insurgency operations (COIN) during the 13 year war in El Salvador and the current war in Afghanistan. This writing will use some examples from a Special Forces Operational Detachment...
This monograph examines the utility of U.S. Army Special Forces in the changing world security environment. It first analyzes the security environment by looking at several theories and assessments. Then it focuses on the post-Cold War national...
Six years after the fall of Saigon, South Vietnam, the effects of the Domino Theory appeared to have unfolded. Communist and nationalist movements had defeated American allies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Then, in 1979, Nicaragua fell to...
Major Carlos Platero of the El Salvadoran Army deployed to Iraq with the Cuscatlan Battalion for a six-month rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 13 February 2005 until 23 August 2005, this battalion was a part of the Multinational...
The Way Ahead. Chief of Staff of the Army General Peter J. Schoomaker and Major Anthony W. Vassalo, U.S. Army; Our Army is serving a Nation at war, so the way we approach our duties must reflect the seriousness of an Army at war. American soldiers...
The Global War on Terror brought about several military assistance efforts that include the training and development of foreign security forces. The United States has been providing advisors to foreign security forces around the world for over 120...
Bunting, Steven A.; Dallas, Joseph M.; Melvin, Darryl; Henry, John F.; Gault, Douglas R.
Since it is the ultimate objective in war to force our enemies to submit to our will, any endeavor that involves the application of force toward some national purpose deserves a carefully thought out strategy. Counterinsurgencies are no exception...
The United States has conducted or supported more than a dozen counterinsurgencies in the 20th century. The emerging strategic environment indicates that the US will be involved with counterinsurgencies in the future and there appears to exist...
This monograph examines primary source writings of leading Communist revolutionary warfare theorists to identify and isolate the essence of organizational flexibility. The objective is to gain an appreciation for the important theoretical and...
Using the case study methodology, this thesis examines the question: what is the most effective Special Forces organization for the purpose of conducting Foreign Internal Defense (FID) combat operations in 2010? The subordinate questions are as...