Chapter

Counterinsurgency, rule of law operations, and international law

by David P. Fidler

Laws of war and 21st century conflict

New York [etc.] : International Debate Education Association, 2012

p. 72-78

English

A également été publié dans : ASIL Insights, Vol. 11, no. 24, September 19, 2007

In the second week of September 2007, leading U.S. military and diplomatic officials provided long-awaited reports to Congress and the President on U.S. political and military activities in Iraq. These hearings focused attention on how much progress U.S. counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts have made in Iraq. Although debate surrounding these events centered on the question of the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the testimony and hearings connect the ongoing attempts by the U.S. government to adjust to the challenges presented by waging COIN campaigns. In the wake of perceived failings of the United States in fighting insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq, leaders in the U.S. military have led efforts to develop doctrine and guidance for future COIN operations, including a new COIN field manual for the U.S. Army and Marines and a "rule of law handbook" for military lawyers. Interestingly, this new doctrine and guidance frequently emphasize the importance of international law to waging effective COIN campaigns and undertaking rule of law activities in COIN and post-conflict contexts. This Insight considers how these new strategies involve international law.

• Asil Insight

• Laws of war and 21st century conflict / E.L. Gaston, editor