text: Insurgency Threat Characteristics
  5-29. The decentralized nature of networked insurgencies that provides operations security can also be a
  weakness as it is resource intensive, slows responsiveness, and causes information to move slowly. The
  difficulty of insurgents receiving encouragement from superiors and members of the political wing, a lack
  of direction in the face of counterinsurgent pressures, and an inability to openly call for reinforcements and
  logistics due to their operations security plan can make insurgents feel isolated, alone, confused, and
  unsupported. Analysts need to identify these points and recommend operations to demoralize and promote
  defections among insurgents.
  ASSOCIATED THREATS
  5-30. Other threats can play interconnected roles in an insurgency. Insurgencies create change in a society
  and this can create an opportunity for some organizations. Opportunists are important actors in this type of
  operational environment. Two other groups are particularly important, criminal organizations and
  nongovernmental militias. These groups can be supportive, neutral, or opposed to an insurgency. Moreover,
  these groups can have important connections to an insurgency.
  OPPORTUNISTS
  5-31. An opportunist is one who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no
  regard for principles or consequences. In the context of counterinsurgency, opportunists often take
  advantage of the conditions of instability in the pursuit of their own goals, such as smuggling contraband,
  while security forces are distracted from protecting the border due to combating an insurgency.
  Commanders and staffs identify opportunists, assess their impact on the mission and force protection,
  consider them in planning, and mitigate their impact as needed.
  5-32. There are several types of opportunists who, by nature, impede the regular and effective functions of
  government and may act contrary to the well-being of the people. Opportunists may be existing local
  people or external actors, including civilians, members of the government, or security forces. Opportunists
  can be in direct support of the insurgency or outside actors. They can be state sponsored, sponsored by a
  non-state actor, or unsponsored, all while taking advantage of unstable conditions. Opportunists understand
  and exploit the conditions of instability inherent in counterinsurgency where lawlessness, subversion, and
  insurgency are the norm. The extreme conditions of an insurgency may allow activities that are normally
  countered with effective law enforcement and governance to proceed with impunity. These conditions
  allow opportunists to pursue their political and economic interests.
  5-33. Opportunists may tend to exploit populations by conducting kidnapping for ransom; revenge killings;
  murder for hire; hijacking; extortion; black marketing; smuggling; and trafficking of drugs, humans, and
  weapons. Opportunists use the conditions of instability to conduct activities that are often illegal to further
  their interests. They may also work within the political system to further their interests. Insurgencies often
  occur in a chaotic political environment. As such, opportunists can take advantage of the chaos to gain
  political power.
  5-34. Foreign opportunists, such as mercenaries, international criminal groups, and terrorists, may be
  sponsored by an external state or non-state actor or act independently. These groups may also work in the
  environment of an insurgency. They can act in a similar manner as internal opportunists, but they pursue
  the interests of an external actor.
  5-35. Opportunists can work for an insurgency, against an insurgency, or both. How they work and who
  they work for is determined by an opportunist’s own interests. Opportunists can work both sides of a
  conflict to maximize influence and profits while avoiding retribution. An opportunist can provide safe
  passage for insurgents, while also providing intelligence to counterinsurgents. An opportunist is not bound
  by the objectives of either the counterinsurgent or insurgent.
  5-36. Reintegration initiatives, although favorable to resolve many insurgencies, can be exploited by
  opportunists due to the inclusive and reconciliatory nature of these programs. Opportunists can infiltrate
  local civilian security forces to avoid retribution, influence less secure communities, and provide
  opportunities for vigilantism. Reintegration can also offer incentives for opportunists looking for
  employment, benefits, or even amnesty from a seditious criminal, social activist, or political past.