1st Edition
Unconventional Warfare in South Asia Shadow Warriors and Counterinsurgency
India is the world's tenth largest economy and possesses the world's fourth largest military. The subcontinent houses about one-fifth of the world's population and its inhabitants are divided into various tribes, clans and ethnic groups following four great religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Framing the debate using case studies from across the region as well as China, Afghanistan and Burma and using a wealth of primary and secondary sources this incisive volume takes a closer look at the organization and doctrines of the 'shadow armies' and the government forces which fight the former. Arranged in a thematic manner, each chapter critically asks; Why stateless marginal groups rebel? How do states attempt to suppress them? What are the consequences in the aftermath of the conflict especially in relation to conflict resolution and peace building? Unconventional Warfare in South Asia is a welcomed addition to the growing field of interest on civil wars and insurgencies in South Asia. An indispensable read which will allow us to better understand whether South Asia is witnessing a 'New War' and whether the twenty-first century belongs to the insurgents.
Biography
Scott Gates is Professor of Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Director of the Centre for the Study of Civil War at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in Norway. Kaushik Roy, Dr., is a Reader in the Department of History, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India and a Senior Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Civil War (CSCW) at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in Norway.
’A fascinating account of insurgency and counter-insurgency in South Asia that is of importance both for the military and political history of the region and for those concerned with the subject on the global scale. One of the more significant works on recent military history to appear of late, this book is also of value to those considering the development of the subject as a whole.’ Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, UK ’Gates and Roy provide a comprehensive overview of the source and consequences of the political instabilities on the Indian subcontinent. The book deals with three questions: why marginal groups rebel, how states attempt to suppress them and what are the consequences in the aftermath of the conflict specially in relation to conflict resolution and peace building. These questions deserve critical answers for a country or region that accounts for roughly 1/6th of the world’s population and its largest democracy. What the book provides is a deep treatment of the history, strength of arrayed forces, and social conditions such that anyone wanting to understand the insurgencies in this region would be well served by using this book as a primary source.’ Patrick Regan, University of Notre Dame, USA 'Unconventional Warfare in South Asia takes a close look at the organization and doctrines of the ’shadow armies’ and the government forces which fight them. Scott Gates and Kaushik Roy make use of a wide range of empirical and testamentary material to carry out their research, from first-hand interviews to military memoirs. This is an insightful collection and will be of interest to those studying civil wars and insurgencies in South Asia. ... In terms of unconventional warfare, South Asia serves as a regrettable example to the rest of the world, making this book both timely and relevant.' LSE Review of Books
