Operational Considerations for Military Involvement in Low Intensity Conflict. CLIC (Center for Low Intensity Conflict) PAPERS

摘要

In order to provide a framework for considering the military's role in low intensity conflict, the authors explain its meaning and components : peacekeeping, insurgency/counterinsurgency, combatting terrorism, and peacetime contingency operations. The authors conclude that: a) US determination to deter nuclear and conventional war has driven our adversaries consciously to turn to political violence to advance their political objectives; b) the strategic consequences of the unchecked low intensity conflict threat present the danger that a series of reversals will gradually isolate the US and its allies from the Third World and from each other; c) the oftentimes vague and diverse challenges of low intensity conflict are heightened by misconceptions of whether the US is at war or at peace; d) meeting the challenges requires an institutionalized understanding that moves away from thinking and acting in a manner appropriate to more traditional forms of conflict; and e) winning low intensity conflicts requires a continuing, long-term, national strategy that provides a comprehensive plan for all US military and civilian agencies.