INTERNAL DEFENSE AGAINST INSURGENCY: SIX CASES

Abstract : The problem of advising developing nations regarding the maintenance of internal security in situations characterized by insurgency has confronted the United States Government in the past. It appears that this problem will continue in the foreseeable future. One method of obtaining knowledge concerning the difficulties involved in these situations is to review insurgencies that have occurred in the past or are ongoing. The activities of the internal security forces (police, paramilitary, and military) of six countries are selectively described, discussed, and compared. The countries are: Malaya (1948-1960); The Philippines (1946-1954); Cuba (1953-1959); venezuela (1960-1965); Algeria (1954-1962); and South Vietnam (1954-1965). The following problem areas are discussed: (1) the designation of the central problem; (2) expanding the internal security forces; (3) maintaining public confidence; (4) population cleavages; (5) internal security forces recruitment; (6) collection of intelligence information; (7) insurgent terrorism; (8) guerrilla operations; (9) border and coastal access; (10) internal security forces organization; (11) internal security forces objectives and functions; (12) internal security forces methods and techniques of operation; and (13) population and resources control.