American Counterinsurgency

Explore the intricate relationship between anthropology and military operations in American Counterinsurgency by Catherine Lowe Besteman. Published by Prickly Paradigm Press in 2009, this insightful pamphlet spans 134 pages and delves into the $60 million Human Terrain System (HTS), an intelligence initiative that integrates social scientists with combat brigades in Iraq and Afghanistan. Besteman critiques the HTS, shedding light on the ethical dilemmas and historical context of using 'culture' as a military instrument. This thought-provoking work invites readers to reconsider the moral implications of counterinsurgency strategies and the role of anthropological ethics in contemporary military policy. Ideal for students, scholars, and anyone interested in the intersection of culture and conflict, American Counterinsurgency is a must-read for understanding the complexities of modern warfare.