Guide to the Analysis of Insurgency 2012

This Guide provides defi nitions, a series of indicators, and an analytic framework designed to assist in evaluating an insurgency. Analysts with knowledge of the political, military, cultural, and socioeconomic characteristics of a specifi c insurgency will fi nd these defi nitions and the framework helpful in analyzing the confl ict. Among other things, this Guide is intended to assist in conducting net assessments of specifi c confl icts. - This booklet updates the Guide to the Analysis of Insurgency published in the mid-1980s. - The defi nitions, indicators, and framework contained in this Guide draw on commonalities and best practices identifi ed in the original Guide to the Analysis of Insurgency, classic and contemporary insurgency and counterinsurgency literature, academic journals, other offi cial US Government publications, and case studies. No two insurgencies are identical, and this Guide is not intended to provide a one-size-fi ts-all template. No insurgency is unique in all aspects, however, and most share some combination of characteristics, tactics, and objectives. Most pass through similar stages of development during their life cycle. These commonalities are the focus of this Guide, but analysts should note that the specifi c insurgencies they are examining will probably not exhibit all of the characteristics or undertake all of the activities addressed in the Guide.