I beg to differ. I think the doctrine often drives the definitions. The very fact that you wanted to develop a "COIN Doctrine" instead of a broad guide to conduct of Irregular Warfare is symptomatic of that.
Not sure I understand the question. Define an irregular enemy? That depends on your define a regular.Please elaborate on the defined set of legal, social, and organisational characteristics—that is the hard part.
Regular Forces are, trained, paid and organised as declared and defined instruments of state power - all others are irregular.
So for example, regular soldiers have pay books, ID papers etc, and thus even US Special Forces are very regular soldiers.
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