text: Chapter 2
  • Ability to shift phases at the direction of its leadership; including return to previous phase
  if necessary.
  • Attacks on infrastructure and attacks designed to wear down the government
  and counterinsurgents.
  • Continuous operations along multiple lines of effort, although some phases will emphasize
  different lines of effort.
  IDENTITY-FOCUSED STRATEGY
  2-91. The identity-focused strategy mobilizes support based on the common identity of religious
  affiliation, clan, tribe, or ethnic group. In this strategy, legitimacy and popular support are tied to their
  identity and, often, no effort is made to garner popular support outside their identity. Rather, communities
  often join the insurgent movement as a whole, bringing with them their existing social or military
  hierarchy. External support is garnered from international elements of the same identity. In Sri Lanka, the
  Tamil Tigers have fought an insurgency against the government for decades in order to establish an ethnic
  Tamil state and, at times, have received support from India. Contemporary characteristics of the
  identity-focused strategy include—
  • Attacks on those who threaten the traditions and social structure of the identity.
  • Little or no need to establish a shadow government; already established.
  • Protects what it considers the interest of the identity.
  • Willingness to use tactics of other strategies.
  • Mass base easily aligns with insurgency objectives.
  CONSPIRATORIAL STRATEGY
  2-92. The conspiratorial strategy attempts to subvert the government from within and often involves a
  few leaders and a militant cadre. Although subversive activities may take place in other strategies,
  particularly in the protracted popular war or urban strategies, conspiratorial strategies often attempt to have
  its illegal political party become a legitimate political party, enter the government legitimately and then
  take control of the government. Insurgents using the conspiratorial strategy do not intend to integrate into
  the national government, but to overthrow the government. Once the insurgency succeeds in gaining
  legitimate political representation, the newly legitimized politicians, who may have been previously
  targeted by counterinsurgents, must be re-evaluated to see if they are still legitimate targets. In the Russian
  Revolution in 1917, the Bolshevik Party actively worked to break existing government, while being elected
  to serve in the administration. Distinguishing characteristics of this strategy include—
  • Insurgents seeking meetings with HN government to discuss ceasefires.
  • Attacks on infrastructure designed to wear down and reduce the credibility of government.
  • Political cadre distancing itself from the insurgency by making public statements denouncing
  violence, yet the insurgent leadership still controls the cadre.
  • A public breach between militant and political elements of the insurgency, although this
  is often a deception.
  • Formation of new alliances, often with groups that seem to have little in common with the
  insurgency or its ideology apart from the desire for governmental change.
  • An end or reduction in guerrilla activity with an increase in political activity.
  • Intensive efforts to gain international moral and political support.
  • Using sophisticated propaganda, aimed at specific target audiences.
  • Insurgent political wing seeks recognition and entry into politics, including election to local,
  district, departmental, regional, or national offices.