Combating Violent Extremism in Iraq: The Viability of Counterinsurgency Strategy

Abstract

Iraq finds itself plunged back into sectarian violence and on the brink of civil war. The current Maliki government is struggling to combat the brutal Islamic militant group The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). This project explores the viability of using counterinsurgency strategy (COIN) in Iraq to combat this emergent extremist threat. An examination of political and security journals, historical case studies, and social survey data illustrate why the use of COIN to solve this conflict is misguided.