ABSTRACT
America began the 20th century with military forces engaged in counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in the Philippines. The principles and imperatives of modern COIN provide guide-posts for forces engaged in counterinsurgency campaigns. Unity of effort must pervade every level of activity, from national to neighborhood. While all the elements of national power have a role in successful counter-insurgency, political objectives must retain primacy. To establish legitimacy, security activities must move from the realm of major combat operations into the realm of law enforcement. If they are dealt with by an established legal system in line with local culture and practices, the legitimacy of the host government will be enhanced. Information and expectations are related, and a skillful counterinsurgent must carefully manage both. A COIN force must be a learning organization. Lower level initiative has to be supported and encouraged in order to create a COIN force that can adapt as quickly as insurgents.
