Deck 10: Irregular Warfare: Terrorism and Insurgency, James D Kiras

Question 1

According to Mao Tse-Tung, the three stages of insurgency occur in the following order.

A) Strategic offensive, stalemate, strategic defensive
B) Strategic defensive, stalemate, strategic offensive
C) Strategic defensive, strategic offensive, stalemate
D) Strategic offensive, strategic defensive, stalemate

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What factor is described by James Kiras in chapter 11 of Strategy in the Contemporary World as 'the most important element required for the successful conclusion of an insurgent and terrorist campaign as it is a commodity that can be exchanged to make up for other weakness'?

A) Ruthlessness
B) Intelligence
C) Time
D) Firepower

Answer 2

C

Question 3

What influence does geographic space have on irregulars?

A) It impacts the irregulars' decisions on when to fight.
B) It impacts the irregulars' decisions on where to fight.
C) It influences the duration of irregular warfare.
D) All of the options given are correct.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Insurgents often make efforts to boost their legitimacy in the eyes of the people. When insurgents establish an institution such as a school or clinic in an area under their control this is known as a(n) _______ measure.

A) public service
B) positive
C) negative
D) affirmative

Question 5

Why might perceived legitimacy be important to those fighting irregular wars?

A) It impacts internal (domestic) support.
B) It impacts external (international) support.
C) Under international law, it turns irregular forces into legal sovereigns who have the same international rights and obligations as states.
D) It impacts internal (domestic) support and it impacts external (international) support.

Question 6

Which of the following are vital to a successful counterinsurgency or counterterrorism campaign?

A) Location (i.e., recognizing the existence of a threat)
B) Isolation of insurgents or terrorists from the population
C) Eradication of insurgents or terrorists
D) All of the options given are correct.

Question 7

Which of the following might religion be able to provide to a terrorist group?

A) A detailed strategy for achieving desired political objectives
B) A rallying point for support
C) A detailed strategy for achieving desired political objectives and a rallying point for support
D) A rallying point for support and a rationale for action

Question 8

Which of the following might be expected of religious terrorists?

A) Efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction
B) Refusal to acquire weapons of mass destruction
C) An unwillingness to attack civilians
D) Attempts to compromise with enemies so as to prevent apocalyptic events

Question 9

Experts on terrorism debate whether the use of terror is merely a tactic within a broader insurgency strategy or if it is possible for groups to carry out a 'strategy of terrorism'?

Question 10

Which of the following are 'passive' counterinsurgency techniques?

A) Psychological warfare
B) Promises of amnesty
C) Cash incentives
D) All of the options given are correct.