The USMC – Joint Forces Command co-sponsored Joint Urban Warrior 05 War Game included a special cell tasked to examine future Counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. This special cell was comprised of personnel from all U.S. services, coalition / multinational partners, interagency organizations and senior “grey beards” (retired military and diplomatic personnel). The range of operational experience included Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Haiti, Horn of Africa, Timor, Colombia, El Salvador, Northern Ireland, Vietnam and other ops / deployments...

The cell members; most experienced, well-read and studied in COIN; had current doctrine and historical studies at their disposal. The first order of business in the cell included an agreement on a definition of insurgency and a set of COIN guiding principles to enable a base for follow-on discussion and debate. The definition and principles follow:

Insurgency Defined…

Insurgency is competition involving at least one non-state movement using means that include violence against an established authority to achieve political change.

COIN Principles…

1. Effect political primacy in pursuit of a strategic aim.
2. Understand the complex dynamics of the insurgency, including the wider environment.
3. Apply power discriminately to influence human will.
4. Promote unity of purpose to coordinate the actions of participating agencies.
5. Isolate the insurgents from their physical and moral support base.
6. Sustain commitment to expend political capital and resources over a long period.

While the definition and principles may appear outwardly obvious – they remain a matter of debate in light of the global reach and goals of Al-Qaeda and associates. Your comments here are most welcome…