Page 22 - Counter Insurgancy

CHAPTER TWO:

COMPONENTS OF COIN STRATEGY
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO
COUNTERINSURGENCY

Comprehensive Approach
to Counterinsurgency The Information Component.
Information (acquiring knowledge
and exerting influence) is the
base component for all other
activities, providing the linkages
The Economic and Development that allow discrete functional
Component. This includes immediate elements to cooperate as an
humanitarian relief and the provision integrated whole.
of essential services, as well as
longer-term programs to develop the
infrastructure and capacity for
legitimate agricultural, industrial,
educational, medical, commercial
and governmental activities.

SECURITY The Security Component.

INFORMATION
Providing physical security
against insurgent violence,
though often imperative, is only
one step in progressing towards
‘Human Security’ which also
Political strategy. This is the key encompasses the maintenance
ECONOMIC
function in a COIN effort, POLITICAL of laws, human rights, freedom
providing a framework of political STRATEGY to conduct economic activity,
reconciliation, genuine reform, public safety and health.
popular mobilization and
governmental capacity-building
around which all other programs
and activities are organized.
Control. The Information,
Security and Development
components combine within
the political strategy to enable
the affected government to
control its environment, such
that the population will, in the
long run, support it rather
than the insurgents.

CONTROL

U.S. GOVERNMENT COUNTERINSURGENCY GUIDE • JANUARY 2009 17