@article{esj 39, author = {Marina Petrova}, title = {Is it Impossible to Solve an Insurgency only by Military Means?}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, url = {http://publications.essex.ac.uk/esj/article/id/39/}, issue = {1}, doi = {10.5526/esj39}, abstract = {Insurgency presents the armed struggle over a distinctive terrain by a group demanding change of the status quo – putting an end to the influence of colonials or occupying power, autonomy, secession or shift in the current politics of the government (Boyle, 2012). Insurgents rely on clandestine attacks against security forces and use irregular forms of fighting due to the fact that they do not have the military capacity to fight a conventional war against a modern army (Boyle, 2012). Attempts at defeating insurgencies in the last century have taken various forms, with different strategies and tactics, but the military has always been an indispensable part of every counterinsurgency. This essay will look at enemy-centric and populationcentric counterinsurgency approaches and will seek to demonstrate that militaries play a vital role in solving insurgencies, but overall victory in counterinsurgency operations is dependent on a wide range of variables. Thus, the main argument of this paper is that whichever counterinsurgency path is embarked on, it is possible to be successful only if key factors such as capabilities, coordination, cooperation and information are taken into consideration. However, despite the fact that it is possible to resolve insurgencies solely with military force, the vast majority of ‘success stories’ in counterinsurgency operations has relied not only on military means, but also on comprehensive strategies involving social, political and economic forces, enhancing the capabilities of the army, working on better inclusion in social terms, and making political reforms so as to accommodate the grievances that caused the insurgency.}, month = {1}, keywords = {Military,Military force,Counterinsurgency,Insurgency}, issn = {2633-7045}, publisher={University of Essex Library Services}, journal = {Essex Student Journal} }