The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[innerSpaceman]

And "winning" against a guerilla insurgency is accomplished just how exactly? Can you point to any example in the last, oh, 500 years?

How do you destroy an enemy you can't find?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And "winning" against a guerilla insurgency is accomplished just how exactly? Can you point to any example in the last, oh, 500 years?

How do you destroy an enemy you can't find?

You either:

A) Kill everyone indiscrimately

or

B) Get the locals to actively oppose the insurgency.


You don't disrepect the locals, tie the hands of your troops and generaly wallow around like a pig stuck in the mud.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And "winning" against a guerilla insurgency is accomplished just how exactly? Can you point to any example in the last, oh, 500 years?

Both Boer Wars were essentially guerilla wars that were successfully suppressed.

The Greek Civil War (1946-1949) saw the government successfully put down a Communist insurgency.

The Tupamaros in Uruguay were successfully suppressed in '70s by the government (which then fell to the military in a coup).

Though the Phillipines presented a long series of different insurgencies a Muslim insurgency in 1911 was successfully stopped.

The original Irish Republican Army was successfully defeated in the 1930s. (this was a political organization essentially separate from the modern IRA which falsely claims continuity with the anti-Treaty branch of the original IRA.)