The US Army advisor does not limit himself to an assessment of counterinsurgency tactics, however. The Accidental Guerilla and Counterinsurgency, David Kilcullen is a senior fellow at the New America Foundation and chair of Caerus Associates. This book should be required reading for every military leader, and for every political leader involved in decisions on military policy and economic development in other countries. I read this in conjunction with Akbar Ahmed's "The Thistle and the Drone," and found it to be a thoughtful take on the War on Terror that combines both a military and anthropological perspective. One of the clearest examples comes from America’s first foreign war, the Mexican-American War of 1846-1846, and the invasion of California. David Kilcullen's is definitely worth reading if you are interested in getting one expert's perspective on how western societies should deal with terrorism for the next fifty to one hundred years. I gave this one four stars since I disliked the Accidental Guerrilla aspect of all the discussion. It's rare to read a book that you kind of agree with all the way through, but I did with this. Lawrence evoked the means of waging irregular warfare in his 1926 classic, 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom', Mr. Kilcullen describes the practitioner's art of combating insurgents. (Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek) More from the same. I did, however, find the section on Timor somewhat difficult to follow. David Kilcullen. I do intend on re-reading this section of the book.) He then moves on to Europe to explore how best to understand (and engage) disconnected Muslim communities. Kilcullen is an Australian soldier who for many years has worked for the US advising on counter insurgency. If T.E. The Accidental Guerrilla Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One David Kilcullen. As an employee of the State Department, Dr. Kilcullen's position and strategic outlook and overall perspective becomes very clear through his writing. The book makes an interesting and major contribution to the literature in the field and comes highly recommended to anyone interested in the topic. The “accidental guerrilla” syndrome, as well, is older than many military professionals might think, and American warfighters and leaders have fallen victim to it since before the Civil War. Superb and engaging with a fall out which presses you to read more on the subject. Refresh and try again. Good to know they finally started listening to the author. This Study Guide consists of approximately 21 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Guerrilla Warfare. The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One by David Kilcullen. While portions of it may aptly apply to OIF and OEF (operations Iraqi/Enduring-Afghanistan Freedom), the application of said theory to a broader spectrum is less feasible. The "Accidental Guerrilla" syndrome is a fascinating concept for further exploration and development, however it is not a "one-size-fits-all," silver bullet recipe to understanding the complexity of insurgent 5th generation warfare. A must read instant classic for anyone seriously interested in present day conflict. A fine introduction to the basic concepts of counterinsurgency warfare by one of its leading theorists--- a former Australian Army officer with a PhD and combat experience in East Timor as well as Afghanistan and Iraq, the man who was a key player in the restructuring of the American war effort in Iraq. SAASS Comps Prep Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. His recommendations and conclusions should be examined by policy makers on all levels. I agree with some of his applications however not all of the ways that he uses this theory are in my opinion, accurate. Popular Free eBooks! In developing this idea, the basic ideas of counter-insurgency, especially the Petraeus version, such as in the new Army co-in manual, are developed clearly. This book has much merit by adding to the existing base of knowledge. If there is an expert to tell this story, it is Col. Kilcullen. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. The Accidental Guerrilla by David Kilcullen. Quite an insightful book which draws on field experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq to articulate the theory of the 'accidental guerilla' , and also backs up his view that the current conflict in the world is inter-related and cannot rely on military solutions alone. Recruiting him as an advisor was a very smart move by General Petraeus. Does our aid and projects support our COIN doctrine or do the people now just see their government as puppets? Took me a while to pick this book up as I didn't like the title. However, I have found no better analysis of the issues we face in Iraq and Afghanistan and no better or more succint recipe for success anywhere. David, much to his credit, seemed to be seeking the common core or the unifying thread within the composition of insurgencies as an phenomenon. David Kilcullen's the Accidental Guerrilla, is a much needed, accessible to a general audience, serious discussion of the business of counterinsurgency and the separate topic of counter-terrorism. But, recognizing that while our conventional war-fighting superiority endures, any sensible enemy will choose to fight us in this manner, we should hold on to the knowledge and corporate memory so painfully acquired, across all the agencies of all the Coalition partners, in Afghanistan and Iraq. I found that to be accurate; my interest in the content didn't survive the demands on my time and aattention, alas. Reads like a dissertation at times. This book is a detailed study of the accidental guerrilla syndrome and why it matters. Discover the latest and greatest in eBooks and Audiobooks. The Accidental Guerrilla has an anthropologist's sense of social dynamics and a reporter's eye for telling detail. He is one of the Ph.D.s in General Petraeus' brain trust that was assembled to implement the new counter-insurgency strategy put in place to save the US from defeat in the second Iraq War -- the "surge". The author is both a skilled researcher and a savvy soldier with experience in several parts of the world. As an added bonus I found this to be as politically neutral as a book on this topic can be. Anyone with an interest in contemporary military history, the "War on Terror" in general, or the situation in Afghanistan & Pakistan will benefit from reading this field-driven study. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Kilcullen is a military officer, but also an anthropologist. The Accidental Guerrilla User Review - Thorpe-Bowker and Contributors - Books+Publishing. It is a loose conglomeration of actors who have insinuated themselves into local societies by relationships, force and money, and offer something that the local elites were lacking. These “accidental guerrillas” fight in small wars and face not only their own governments’ response, but Western response as well. The book ends with the author's experiences in Timor showing that the Accidental Guerilla syndrome is a tactic that has been used outside the Islamic world and which can be dealt with successfully, although the example falls a little flat as Timor appears far less virulent than the problems the world now faces in Afghanistan, Yemen and other places. This book is his attempt to explain his thinking on the worldwide Islamic insurgency and the best methods to try and c. Faced with unsuccessful military interventions in several conflicts, some of our own making, the U.S. military leadership seconded Lt. Col. David Kilcullen of the Australian Army to work with them on devising a and testing a new strategy that might allow them to withdraw from their engagements without complete failure. His academic reflection and analysis verifies his participation in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Indonesia. The Accidental Guerrilla by David Kilcullen. Informed by the author's remarkable first-hand experiences as a soldier, counterinsurgency expert, and lead advisor to General David Petraeus in Iraq. If I were on active duty or deploying I would read it and reread it. Start by marking “The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One” as Want to Read: Error rating book. In The Accidental Guerrilla, Kilcullen provides a remarkably fresh perspective on the War on Terror. Dave nails it! Is Al Queda bankrupting our government? Lawrence evoked the means of waging irregular warfare in his 1926 classic, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Mr Kilcullen describes the practitioner's art of combating insurgents. Yep, been there done that. He then moves on to Europe to explore how best to understand (and engage) disconnected Muslim communities. I found this a good read- recommended. Kilcullen's in-depth analysis of the tactics of various terrorist organizations is eye-opening and provides a unique perspective to understand the ongoing situation in various Middle East and North African states. Hence you have accidently created a guerrilla. Notwithstanding this minor point, the Accidental Guerrilla, makes interesting reading and David Killcullen places the reader in the heart of the action. Indeed, his vision of modern warfare powerfully influenced America’s decision to … In The Accidental Guerrilla, Kilcullen provides a remarkably fresh perspective on the War on Terror. The “Accidental Guerrilla” syndrome is a fascinating concept for further exploration and development, however it is not a “one-size-fits-all,” silver bullet recipe to understanding the complexity of insurgent 5th generation warfare. The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One. If you are headed to or very interested in Afghanistan, read Chapters 2 and 5. It is a loose conglomeration of actors who have insinuated themselves into local societies by relationships, force and money, and offer something that the local elites were lacking. The central thesis is that the United States is fighting many people around the world who are simply at war with them because they have intruded on their territory, thus making them "accidental guerillas." So, on one level, Kilcullen is absolutely right--21st century extremism is NOT a malevolent, monolithic array of "others" out to get the US. When he re-designs western policy, he's weak. This is the book I've been waiting 8 years to read. In the end, I loved the book - although very academic and you have to wade through Dave's barely disguised self praise at times. The type of book the boss will have someone do an executive summary on it as he is too lazy to read it. He also hints at how the current conflict may develop - where extremists make use of legislative loopholes to have safe havens in developed countries. After readingThe Accidental Guerrilla, one is left to wonder why the Pentagon did not listen to his sage advice back in 2003." This is an Australian who combines a career as a military officer with that of an anthropologist. The beginning of the book is absolutely fantastic and reflects the changing perceptions of terrorism and the ways that terrorism is not the simple monolith that we think it is. Indeed, they may already be familiar with David Kilcullen's reputation as a … He defines accidental guerrillas as… By discussing the ways the nationalist and transnational terrorism we are able to see the way that people are brought slowly into the world of fighting against the United States. Kilcullen takes us "on the ground" to uncover the face of modern warfare, illuminating both the big global war (the "War on Terrorism") and its relation to the associated "small wars" across the globe: Iraq, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Thailand, the Pakistani tribal zones, East Timor and the horn of Africa. Kilcullen takes us "on the ground" to uncover the face of modern warfare, illuminating both the big global war … The problem is in the details--sure, the local el. The Accidental Guerrilla, David Kilcullen; Seven years ago, David Kilcullen was an obscure officer in the Australian Army. One of the very best thought books on counter-insurgency out there, including classics such as Nagl's How to eat soup with a knife" or good histories, such as Horne's Savage War of Peace. This is a well founded piece of scholarly research. To see what your friends thought of this book. The point of this book is to come up with a theory of insurgency that explains how new "global" terrorist groups such as al-Qaida can prosper and link up with more conventional national liberation g. This is an Australian who combines a career as a military officer with that of an anthropologist. Welcome back. Thank you Mr. Kilcullen for fueling my already jaded view of our "GWOT". Much of what Kilcullen writes is very sensible and persuasive, when he's explaining the nitty gritty of insurgencies. This book reads well along with books such as those by Thomas Ricks of the Wash Post -- "Fiasco" and "The Gamble". His fixation of road-building and the ways to stabilize a nation are not seemingly accurate. Time spent with an old friend. Colored with gripping battlefield experiences that range from the jungles and highlands of Southeast Asia to the mountains of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to the dusty towns of the Middle East, The Accidental Guerrilla will, quite simply, change the way we think about war. By discussing the ways the nationalist and transnational terrorism we are able to see the way that people are brought slowly into the world of fighting against the United States. David Kilcullen's is definitely worth reading if you are interested in getting one expert's perspective on how western societies should deal with terrorism for the next fifty. While Kilcullen's model is unique and well worth further investigation it is not possible to automatically apply it automatically to other insurgencies, since each insurgency is unique in the variables which compose it. 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