Examples and illustrations are drawn from a wide variety of sources and extensive case studies of insurgencies in: Sri Lanka, Peru, Namibia, Argentina, Thailand, Eritrea, Western Sahara, Italy, El Salvador, Northern Ireland, Guatemala, Angola, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, The Philippines. This book is the product of a lifetime of research and fieldwork by the director of studies of insurgency and revolution at the US National War College.

Foreword / Gen. Edward C. Meyer, USA (Ret.) -- Preface -- 1. Insurgency in the contemporary world -- 2. The nature of insurgency -- 3. Insurgent strategies -- 4. The environment -- 5. Popular support -- 6. Organization and unity -- 7. External support -- 8. The government response -- 9. Concluding observations.