COIN in Space? Posted by Patrick Barry

While the rest of the DC blogosphere is alight with news of the Disney-Marvel merger, my inner-geek was struck by Andrew Exum's Marine Corps officer cousin's views on strategy and insurgency as they relate to the Star Wars Universe.  His take? The Rebel Alliance would have been better to adopt an insurgent mindset rather than trying to go toe-to-toe with a Galactic Empire that maintained a huge conventional advantage:

Why didn't the Rebel Alliance pursue a strategy of insurgency in their rebellion against the Galactic Empire?  I would argue that they pursued a strategy of conventional war against the Empire and forwent every aspect of insurgent strategy and tactics.  They finally came around a bit in the end by co-opting the Ewoks onto their side.  Why hadn't they pursued that strategy on a larger scale?
 
Instead, they simply staged two conventional assualts on the Empire's center of gravity: the Death Star.  Although both attempts were successful, I think they got lucky.  I think they would have been better served had read their Mao and followed his maxims.

One big question I have is whether, given the intergalactic nature of the war between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, a classic insurgency is even possible? If one of the insurgent's biggest advantages is his knowledge of the local environment, and the tacit support of the inhabitants of that environment, then isn't that advantage pretty much negated in the vacuum of space?  I imagine that the space-based nature of war in the Star Wars universe constrained the Alliance's strategic options, perhaps significantly. I suspect that the rebels were pursuing the best set of tactics available to them - waging asymmetric war against the Empire's vulnerable conventional military assets.

To the broader argument that the Alliance was spending far too much time on military engagements at the expense of the more important political battles, I would reply that that's just not really born out by the evidence.  Consider the pretty dramatic increase in the Alliance's diversity from 'A New Hope' to 'Jedi?' Presumably Admiral Ackbar's people would not have joined up with the Rebels during the intervening years had there not been some kind of serious, if un-depicted, political effort directed against the Empire.

Of course, all of this leaves out the question of how the alliance could have possibly waged an insurgency against a near limitless supply of Imperial clone-troopers.  Someone better versed in the ways of the force will have to answer that question. 

Comments

[Ben K]

re:"Although both attempts were successful, I think they got lucky."

In my experience, there's no such thing as "luck."

[Breklor]

Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good IED at your side.

[netlog]

Thanks for this post. Its very nice on this niche

[Todd]

Allow me to push the glasses up my nose for a moment and say that during the reign of the Galactic Empire, especially by the time of Return of the Jedi, Clone-troopers were no longer in use. This is evidenced by the fact that the Storm troopers, as opposed to Clones, do not have the same voice. Presumably, during the time between Episode 3 and Ep 4 there was a drop off in the number of Clones being used for galactic empirical fodder versus non-clones who enrolled in the Empirical fighting class.

[kabin]

tenk u admins. good msj

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[nintendo r4]

Hi,
Very informative post.It helped me a lot.Many things were new for me.Thank you very much for such a useful information.

[rado watches]

If you have PANERAI Watches , I still have my idea to achieve.

[SesliChat]

Im a peaceable fellow, but Ive been saying for YEARS- its well past time to go to War with Mexico & make them take Texas back
Thank You. For sesli sohbet seslisohbet Sesli Chat

[chanel handbags]

Chanel Handbags are woman’s dream come true.

Chanel, a fashion name that has become synonymous with femininity since 100 years, is on the must-have list of every fashion-conscious woman.? And we bring these must-have Chanel Handbags at never before discounts, just for you.

It is only when you come across an Chanel New Arrivals, do you realize the power of her words.? Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

Chanel handbags have been so popular in the elite classes of the society, that their pricing is usually prohibitive for everyone else.? Discount Chanel handbags are really difficult to come across, but today should be your lucky day.? We bring you a superb unbeatable range of Chanel Flap bags, all at fantastic discounts.? With us, you have an incredible chance to buy your favorite Chanel handbags at rock bottom prices!

Chanel Handbags have always been at the forefront of luxury and style.? The Chanel classic quilted leather handbags and its reinventions have ruled fashion since forever.? Chanel handbags have remained extremely popular as they continue to merge evolving modern trends with the class and simplicity of its original avatar.

An Chanel 2008 Collection and Chanel 2009 Collection single handedly enhances the look you are carrying.? The reason you would buy a Chanel handbag is own a bag that mingles with your charm and intensifies it with its inherent simplicity.? If you have owned an authentic Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t yet gotten a chance to own an Chanel Cambon, now is your chance to shop for an authentic Chanel handbag and discover its ability to transform your look completely.

Buy Chanel handbags with us, and get fabulous discounts which you will never get at your favorite store.? We offer cheap authentic Chanel handbags and they are all up for grabs!

[sesli sohbet]

ery informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading

[porno izle]

Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

[gece kıyafetleri]

Gitme beni terk etme.

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

SesLiSohbeT siteleri arasında ekol bir adres SesTonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin SesTonum 'tıklayınız..! SesLiSohbeT Ve
SesLichaT adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak SesLiSohbeT yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

SesTonum
SesLichaT
SesLiSohbeT

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[tree]

PDF作成
Word PDF変換
Excel PDF変換
画像 PDF変換
PPT PDF変換
テキスト PDF変換
CHM PDF変換
DjVu PDF変換
RTF PDF変換

[qvod]

很难有发展前途做人体艺术美，看的眼光不同，人也不同
务的受人体艺术是确是很难
做人体艺术这项工作了女so you him
其实有空还不如去看看人体艺术有意思，再不然也可以去浏览下有不错的人体艺术指导，难道看到的古惑仔全集系列要去
short haircutssms jokesshort hairstylessdog groomerswhy

[Sohbet Arkadaslik]

Coin in space nice post..

[London Escorts]

Im Wohnzimmer von Mi­guel, dem Sohn eines
Ford-Arbeiters, der mit seiner Familie in Fordlandia
geblieben ist und nun von staatlicher Unterstützung lebt,
hängt zwischen Heiligenbildchen dasselbe Motiv noch einmal,
eingerahmt, eine Erinnerung an bessere Tage

[online mba degrees]

der mit seiner Familie in Fordlandia
geblieben ist und nun von staatlicher Unterstützung lebt,
hängt zwischen Heiligenbildchen dasselbe Motiv noch einmal,
eingerahmt, eine Erinnerung an bessere Tage online mba degrees

[nồi hơi]

Your article really did turn the light on for me as far as this issue goes. Nevertheless there is one issue I am not necessarily too comfy with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the main theme of your issue, permit me see exactly what all the rest of the subscribers have to say.Nicely done.

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM

[wholesale imitation jewelry]

This article truly did switch the light on for me as far as this specific issue goes. Nonetheless at this time there is actually one particular issue I am not too comfortable with so whilst I try to reconcile that with the actual main theme of the position, permit me see exactly what the rest of the readers have to say.Very well done.

[motorlu panjur]

Your article really did turn the light on for me as far as this issue goes. Nevertheless there is one issue I am not necessarily too comfy with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the main theme of your issue, permit me see exactly what all the rest of the subscribers have to say.Nicely done.

[seks shop]

This is evidenced by the fact that the Storm troopers, as opposed to Clones, do not have the same voice. Presumably, during the time between Episode 3 and Ep 4 there was a drop off in the number of Clones being used for galactic empirical fodder versus non-clones who enrolled in the Empirical fighting class.

[pembe maske]

Nonetheless at this time there is actually one particular issue I am not too comfortable with so whilst I try to reconcile that with the actual main theme of the position, permit me see exactly what the rest of the readers have to say

[sun]

I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else!....There is also a lot of visual symbolism that is sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle..accredited online mba 

[mba online degrees]

Things seems not to be so easy as seen.

[mikes blog]

Quite weird but indeed interesting post.

[cleaning company]

Quite interesting topic. Thanks for keep sharing.

[seks shop]

I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading