The French, The Soviet, and the US experience in Algeria, Afghanistan, and Afghanistan & Iraq (respectively) are something to reflect upon depending upon how one defines 'true defeat' (failure to achieve strategic objectives).
A Savage War of Peace (ISBN-13 978-1-59017-218-6)
Soldiers of God (ISBN 1-4000-3025-0)
Tactics of the Crescent Moon (ISBN 0-9638695-7-4)
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