Comments on: Guerrilla War and Failed States http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:42:30 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Dave Schuler http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/comment-page-1/#comment-120253 Dave Schuler Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:37:33 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/04/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/#comment-120253 As Robb continues in the linked post, it may actually be better for the insurgents if they weaken but don't eliminate the state. The state continues to be responsible for and provide services. IMO the next step to take from Robb's observations is not merely redefining victory from the point of view of the insurgent but from our own. We're victorious so long as the state continues to exist and have reasonable strength. Corollary: the counter-insurgency <b>never ends</b>. As Robb continues in the linked post, it may actually be better for the insurgents if they weaken but don't eliminate the state. The state continues to be responsible for and provide services.

IMO the next step to take from Robb's observations is not merely redefining victory from the point of view of the insurgent but from our own. We're victorious so long as the state continues to exist and have reasonable strength. Corollary: the counter-insurgency never ends.

]]> By: legion http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/comment-page-1/#comment-120249 legion Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:06:08 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/04/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/#comment-120249 Well, that assumes you _want_ to hold political power. If all you are is a criminal group (I'm thinking drug cartels in SoAm and Afghanistan), then the chaos of no effective central gov't just boosts your profits (no functioning law enforcement to work against), and once someone does move into the vacuum, you just buy them off or foment the same chaos as before... Well, that assumes you _want_ to hold political power. If all you are is a criminal group (I'm thinking drug cartels in SoAm and Afghanistan), then the chaos of no effective central gov't just boosts your profits (no functioning law enforcement to work against), and once someone does move into the vacuum, you just buy them off or foment the same chaos as before...

]]> By: Bithead http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/comment-page-1/#comment-120236 Bithead Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:55:47 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/04/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/#comment-120236 Well, to set yourself up, you have to remove what's there, first. THen only can you rush in to fill the vaccum. Well, to set yourself up, you have to remove what's there, first. THen only can you rush in to fill the vaccum.

]]> By: » OTB News http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/comment-page-1/#comment-128170 » OTB News Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/04/guerrilla_war_and_failed_states/#comment-128170 <!--%kramer-pre%--> Archives December 2006 August 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 [IMG Outside The Beltway | OTB] Patricia Taylor Buckley, RIP Guerrilla War and Failed States Caption Contest Yangtze is Almost Irreversibly Polluted 42 Free Speech Includes Offensive Jokes! Acquitted Parolees Sent Back to Jail Imus Charity Ranch Future in Doubt Chicago Is USOC’s Pick OTB Caption Jam<!--%kramer-post%--> Archives December 2006 August 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 [IMG Outside The Beltway | OTB] Patricia Taylor Buckley, RIP Guerrilla War and Failed States Caption Contest Yangtze is Almost Irreversibly Polluted 42 Free Speech Includes Offensive Jokes! Acquitted Parolees Sent Back to Jail Imus Charity Ranch Future in Doubt Chicago Is USOC’s Pick OTB Caption Jam

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