Austin Long Livres

In The Soul of Armies Austin Long compares and contrasts counterinsurgency operations during the Cold War and in recent years by three organizations: the US Army, the US Marine Corps, and the British Army.

Focusing on the RAND Corporation's six-decade legacy in deterrence research, this book analyzes historical insights and their implications for contemporary and future strategic contexts. It combines intellectual history with policy recommendations, aiming to stimulate debate on effectively integrating deterrence into U.S. strategy.

Focusing on the complexities of counterinsurgency, the study highlights the challenges the United States faces in addressing insurgency and instability, which may encourage adversaries to adopt similar tactics. It emphasizes the need for enhanced COIN operations in the ongoing war on terror. Drawing on RAND's extensive research, the book offers strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the U.S. response to insurgent threats and improving overall effectiveness in future conflicts.

The analysis examines the disconnect between counterinsurgency doctrine and actual operations, contrasting current practices with those of the 1960s. It challenges the prevailing assumption that written doctrine closely aligns with operational execution, revealing a significant gap between theory and practice in counterinsurgency efforts.

The book examines the strategic role and management of local defense forces across eight significant counterinsurgency campaigns from 1945 to the present, including Iraq. It delves into the effectiveness of these forces in combating insurgencies, exploring historical contexts, operational challenges, and the implications for military and political strategies. This analysis provides insights into the complexities of integrating local defense groups into broader counterinsurgency efforts and their impact on overall conflict outcomes.