Outline for a COIN Campaign Plan (Part 1)

This is a very rough outline. Steps below will be expanded upon in future posts. This outline is a mix of terrain, enemy, and population-centric COIN tactics. The overall strategy is to counter an insurgency by becoming one.

Step 1: Removal of 2 year U.S. election-cycle politics over foreign policy. Introduce a new bill similar to Congressional authorization of war requiring a 20 year commitment to the counterinsurgency mission in designated country. U.S. foreign policy is on a 2 year scale and determined by politicians desiring to retain their seats. While this is effective for domestic policy, it has earned the U.S. a reputation of being a fair-weather friend. No life is worth a politician changing their minds in order to protect their own job. Commit or do not.

Step 2: 10 year security plan. Map out the human terrain to determine the best geographic area to start. ALL resources dedicated to a single province. Similar to total war, this will be total population-centric COIN.

Step 2a: Security. Static and mobile CT mission structure. Conventional forces create a static perimeter while CT forces attack insurgents isolated from poulation. Census is conducted and customer surveys are taken. Local militia is raised to later transition into police and army. Remaining insurgents dealt with by locals according to local customs.

Step 2b. Economics. Creating a self-sustaining area of local operations requiring minimal to no aid. Conduct a chronological survey on the technology advancements in the current area of operations. What are the most common indigenously-crafted tools for the local economy? Has this area naturally entered the industrial revolution? Developmental economic experts, historic replicators, and anthropologists will formulate what tools and inventions the local populace can create on their own. Older patents will be leveraged and taught to the local populace. Technology-developmental appropriate techniques of invention and medical practice will be taught; first by train the learner, then train the trainer.

Step 2c. Politics. The naturally forming power structure of the region will be encouraged to move their economic project managers and legal/customs experts into a local government structure. Locals will determine what and how this looks. This is for the indigenous management and regulation of the security and economic sectors. Foreign forces will assist in creating methods of transparency for local rule of law, not writing the rule of law. Self-determination should be the guiding principle.


Step 3. Transition. Replacement of static forces, economic enablers, and political management as new Area of Operations is designated to repeat steps 2a-2c. Advisors and cadre of security, economic, and political entities remain for duration of campaign.

Step 4. Convergence. Merging most proficient elements of provincial security, economics, and political bodies. As provinces or designated areas of COIN operations reach a level of self-sustainability, foster an environment of interdependence. This will be the nascent stages of a new Host Nation government.


Step 5. Legitimate grassroots turned national governance. Foreign forces military drawdown begins. Central government becomes focus area for any security, economic, or political assistance to other provinces. Economic treaties are signed to assist in a natural transition into industrial and information age self-sustaining environments.