American military intervention in unconventional war: from the Philippines to Iraq

This book is a study of the major US military interventions in unconventional war, four occurring while the US was a superpower in the post-war WW II period, and one in the Philippines in 1898. It critiques the case for intervention on the most vital grounds, security, and the effectiveness of implementation of the intervention. An introductory section analyzes recent changes in the international system, and a summary of U.S. strategy, response, and policy, provide a framework for analysis. The detailed case studies allow a cost-benefit evaluation of the advisability and success of historical US interventions in the type of war the US is most likely to encounter in the future. The outcomes of past decisions to intervene are, on balance, not encouraging.