(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Perspectives on the American Way of War: The U.S. Experience in Irregular Conflict

By Dr. Thomas A. Marks

Strategically, adaptation to insurgent challenges invariably proves difficult. Not only must the precise nature of the threat be discerned, but adaptation must occur even as the conflict develops. Too often, focus is upon immediate, tactical quick fixes rather than reform realized through correct strategy and operational art.

Counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare 1

Significantly, the passage above, which spoke to Colombia’s successful effort (treated in the ...