War by Other Means--Building Complete and Balanced

Examines how the United States should improve its counterinsurgency (COIN) capabilities through, for example, much greater focus on understanding jihadist strategy, using civil measures to strengthen the local government, and enabling local forces to conduct COIN operations. Provides a broad discussion of the investments, organizational changes, and multilateral arrangements that the United States should pursue to improve its COIN capabilities.

Examines how the United States should improve its counterinsurgency (COIN) capabilities through, for example, much greater focus on understanding jihadist strategy, using civil measures to strengthen the local government, and enabling local forces to conduct COIN operations. Provides a broad discussion of the investments, organizational changes, and multilateral arrangements that the United States should pursue to improve its COIN capabilities.

David Gompert (Master of Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University) is formerly president of RAND Europe and Vice President at RAND. He has held a variety of positions at the State Department and White House, including Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia on the National Security Council staff. He is currently Director of National Security in the Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority.

John Gordon IV (Currently enrolled in the Public Policy PhD program at George Mason University) is a RAND researcher.