The difficult war : perspectives on insurgency and special operations forces / edited by Dr. Emily Spencer ; foreword by Major-General J.P.Y.D. Gosselin.: D2-248/2009E-PDF

"The Difficult War is a timely volume that presents a collection of essays that deal with the topics of insurgency and counterinsurgency and many of the collateral issues, topics, and considerations that are wrapped up in what could arguably be considered one of the most complex forms of warfare. This book examines both theoretical and practical topics, and in sum provides an excellent collection of ideas that stimulate thought and debate on this relevant and complex subject"--Foreword, page 8.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Department of National Defence, issuing body.
Title The difficult war : perspectives on insurgency and special operations forces / edited by Dr. Emily Spencer ; foreword by Major-General J.P.Y.D. Gosselin.
Variant title Perspectives on insurgency and special operations forces
Publication type Monograph
Language [English]
Other language editions [French]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Other formats Paper-[English]
Note(s) Digitized by Publishing and Depository Services Program.
Issued also in French under title: Une guerre difficile : points de vue sur l'insurrection et les forces d'opérations spéciales.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Foreword / Major-General J.P.Y.D. Gosselin -- Acknowledgements / Emily Spencer -- Introduction / Emily Spencer and Bernd Horn -- 1, Mao Zedong and the People's War / Tony Balasevicius -- 2, The End of Asymmetry: Force Disparity and the Aims of War / Peter H. Denton -- 3, Intelligence and Its Application to Irregular Warfare / Tony Balasevicius and Bernd Horn -- 4, "The People Puzzle": The Importance of Cultural Intelligence to Counterinsurgency / Emily Spencer -- 5, Defining Terrorism / Bernd Horn -- 6, Operational Alchemy in Northern Ireland: The Mutually Enabling Relationship Between SOF and Intelligence / Andrew Brown -- 7, Fighting the Mujahideen: Lessons from the Soviet Counterinsurgency Experience in Afghanistan / Tony Balasevicius and Greg Smith -- 8, Unconventional Warfare Operations in Afghanistan — September to December 2001 / V.I. -- 9, From the Cold War to Insurgency: Preparing Leaders for the Contemporary Operating Environment / Bernd Horn -- 10, SOF for Sale: The Canadian Forces and the Challenge of Privatized Security / Christopher Spearin -- 11, Building Coalition Special Operations Forces for the "Long War" / J. Paul de B. Taillon -- Contributors -- Index.
Issued also in printed form.
Publishing information Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Dundurn Press ; Kingston, Ontario, Canada : Canadian Defence Academy Press ; Ottawa, Ontario : Department of National Defence : Public Works and Government Services Canada, [2009]
©2009
Author / Contributor Spencer, Emily, editor.
Description 1 online resource (277 pages) : illustration
Catalogue number
  • D2-248/2009E-PDF
Subject terms Special forces (Military science)
Insurgency.
Asymmetric warfare.
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