While the 2011 Department of Defense Counternarcotics and Global Threats Strategy (DoD CN> Strategy) acknowledges the complexity of the strategic environment and provides an expanded interpretation of its existing authorities that allows for the integration of unique DoD competencies within a whole-of-government approach, it foregoes the opportunity to articulate a theory of action and instead repackages objectives from national level strategies within the scope of DoD capabilities. Through an exploration of theories of irregular warfare (IW) and competing cultural tendencies within the DoD, this monograph seeks to offer a theory of action that underwrites an alternative approach to combating TCOs to integrate more effectively tactical actions in time, space, and purpose with national strategic aims. Considering the many structural parallels between insurgent organizations and TCOs, it is likely that theories of IW will have indirect, if not direct, application to contemporary efforts to confront TCOs. With the intent of discerning certain of these relevant aspects, this monograph examines two important IW theories --Nathan Leites' and Charles Wolf's supply-side approach to COIN and Dr. Geoff Demarest's consideration of the utility of anonymity. Furthermore, the author attempts to conceptualize Dr. Demarest's ideas within a behavioral economic model in an effort to integrate his complementing theory with Leites' and Wolf's rational actor framework.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)