An examination of approaches to counterinsurgency from 30 recent resolved campaigns reveals that good COIN practices tend to "run in packs" and that the balance of selected good and bad practices perfectly predicts the outcome of a conflict.
This in-depth, historical analysis of terrorism investigates the major funding streams of terrorists, insurgents, guerrillas, warlords, militias, and criminal organizations throughout the world as well as the efforts of the international community to thwart their efforts. Terrorist financing is an ongoing game of creating, concealing, and surreptitiously utilizing funds. This intriguing book considers every facet of guerrilla funding—from how activities are financed, to what insurgents do with the revenue they generate, to the range of countermeasures in place for deterring their moneymaking activities. Case studies prompt an analysis of past government responses and inform recommendations for countering irregular warfare worldwide. Author Colin P. Clarke presents the business side of terrorism, taking a look at the cash-producing ventures he labels "gray activities" such as diaspora support, charities, fraudulent businesses, front companies, and money laundering as well as "dark activities" including kidnapping for ransom, robbery, smuggling, trafficking, and extortion. He considers the transnational efforts to stop terrorist activities—from wiretaps and electronic surveillance to financial sanctions and the freezing of funds and accounts—and points to the emergence of interagency task forces for detaining and destroying the operations of major criminal organizations across the globe.
A collection of the 30 most recent resolved insurgencies, covering the period 1978 to 2008, along with a bank of 76 factors that helped or hindered the COIN force in each case and in each phase of each case, supplements an analysis of historical and contemporary insurgencies, providing valuable lessons for U.S. engagement in and support for COIN operations.
The Bigod Chronicles Book Two The Order To help reconcile the horrors he witnessed in the Holy Land, Hugo de Payen is sent on a quest to find the Ark of the Covenant. Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux warns Hugo and his fledgling knights of the malevolent cult that will stop at nothing to reach the Ark first and inflict a terrible vengeance across the Holy Land. Meanwhile, the deadliest maritime disaster of the medieval age sends the lives of Hugh and William Bigod spiralling out of control, leaving Hugh to face a momentous life and death decision. The Bigod Chronicles Book One Ilger Book Two The Order Book Three William Book Four Hugh
A comprehensive review of historical insurgencies that ended in settlement after a military stalemate shows that these negotiations followed a similar path that can be generalized into a “master narrative” of seven steps executed in a common sequence. Such a narrative could help guide and assess the progress of a similar approach to resolving the conflict in Afghanistan as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw.
In 2014, the declaration of the Islamic State caliphate was hailed as a major victory by the global jihadist movement. But it was short-lived. Three years on, the caliphate was destroyed, leaving its surviving fighters – many of whom were foreign recruits – to retreat and scatter across the globe. So what happens now? Is this the beginning of the end of IS? Or can it adapt and regroup after the physical fall of the caliphate? In this timely analysis, terrorism expert Colin P. Clarke takes stock of IS – its roots, its evolution, and its monumental setbacks – to assess the road ahead. The caliphate, he argues, was an anomaly. The future of the global jihadist movement will look very much like its past – with peripatetic and divided groups of militants dispersing to new battlefields, from North Africa to Southeast Asia, where they will join existing civil wars, establish safe havens and sanctuaries, and seek ways of conducting spectacular attacks in the West that inspire new followers. In this fragmented and atomized form, Clarke cautions, IS could become even more dangerous and challenging for counterterrorism forces, as its splinter groups threaten renewed and heightened violence across the globe.
A Short Read Thriller, which is intriguing and psychological. The work keeps the reader guessing throughout the book which partially forms a mystery, with exciting action and crime included in the plot. The work makes the reader think about chosen paths in life of the characters that evolve in the story.
This history-making book gives readers a rare look at a mostly forgotten but dramatically important reality: rural life in the 20th century as relived by Clarke's colorful, richly detailed, and heartwarming newspaper columns.
This book examines a selection of major types of theory explaining religion: religious, philosophical, sociological, socio-economic and psychological. It treats of the presuppositions behind such theories and the grounds of their necessity and validity. It looks at major styles in the definition of religion. It argues that the case for making religion the subject of large scale theorising has not been made and contends that the explanation of religion proceeds better by concentrating on the specifics of religious history and the interconnections between religious ideas.
Despite the scope of the threat they pose to Mexico’s security, violent drug-trafficking organizations are not well understood, and optimal strategies to combat them have not been identified. While there is no perfectly analogous case from history, Mexico stands to benefit from historical lessons and efforts that were correlated with improvement in countries facing similar challenges related to violence and corruption.
While the role of the laity in the nationalist awakening is commonly recognized, their part in the movement for religious renewal is usually minimized. Initiative on the part of the laity has been thought to have existed only outside the church, where it remained a troubling and at times insurgent force. Clarke revises this picture of the role of the laity in church and community. He examines the rich associational life of the laity, which ranged from nationalist and fraternal associations independent of the church to devotional and philanthropic associations affiliated with the church. Associations both inside and outside the church fostered ethnic consciousness in different but complementary ways that resulted in a cultural consensus based on denominational loyalty. Through these associations, lay men and women developed an institutional base for the activism and initiative that shaped both their church and their community. Clarke demonstrates that lay activists played a pivotal role in transforming the religious life of the community.
Despite the scope of the threat they pose to Mexico’s security, violent drug-trafficking organizations are not well understood, and optimal strategies to combat them have not been identified. While there is no perfectly analogous case to Mexico’s current security situation, historical case studies may offer lessons for policymakers as they cope with challenges related to violence and corruption in that country.
The journey is fraught with many dangers; the chances of success are slim. But the servants of the Earth spirit know that they are the only hope for the planets ascension. To succeed, they must find the sacred Golden Spiral and the Earths light codes before the scheming Destroyer does. The quest will take them to the spiritual dimensions of other worlds aboard a soul ship called Auroras, chartered by High Command. The servants come from all different walks of life. They have been visited by the celestial spirits of their families spiritual DNA, in preparation for the task ahead. The group must travel to the Spiritual Emperors palace, and then on to Warrior Mountain, where the supreme Shakti Angel guards the sacred gemstone known as the Will of Fire. Back on Earth, the clock is ticking. The worlds portals have been shut down by terrorists, leaving soul ships backed up with their cargo. Meanwhile, Earths precious resources of lovewhich it sells on the intergalactic markets and relies on for trade and securityhave been suspended. Only the team aboard the Auroras can restore balance to the world and prevent the Destroyer from claiming victory over light itself.
The Bigod Chronicles is a novel with an epic sweep of medieval history that places real characters into actual events. Book One Ilger, takes our story across two continents, from the religious dogma of the west to the fearsome brutality of the crusades. Antioch has fallen to the crusader army and for now the killing is over...but at what cost? Typhus is taking the lives of thousands and Ilger Bigod d'Ige lies dying on a soiled straw mat. Hugo de Payen witnesses the miracle of his survival and takes young Ilger under his wing. Believing Ilger was spared for a divine reason, Hugo watches helplessly as the innocent knight unwittingly joins the forces of evil in Jerusalem and seems determined to corrupt his soul... all the way to the edge of hell. In England, a young and troublesome Hugh Bigod vies with William his elder brother for the attention of their father. What begins as sibling rivalry descends into a grown-up world of abuse and bitter recrimination, from where there is no turning back.
Aside from the street lamp just outside the pub, it was a dark night when the spacecraft landed. As its occupant approaches the drinking establishment, he notices a couple of joyous drunks leaving the bar. Using his alien powers, the visitor camouflages himself to blend in naturally with his surroundings. Looking like a man who has had a few too many drinks, he approaches the barmaid and talks her into a one-night stand. Fascinated by his dark eyes and velvety voice, Sarah agrees, figuring what's the harm? She tosses her head toward a door marked private, and the alien follows her to her room. The next morning, her lover flies back to his planet named Good Old Dreamers, or G.O.D., leaving Sarah pregnant with his child. More than eighteen years pass. Sarah's gift from that night is now a very special teenager, who has the power to become a savior of planet Earth. What lies in store for this child of the universe, and for mankind?
Life for William Bigod has taken an unexpected turn...one that he relishes. His new life as a horse farmer together with the love of a good wife and young family, far out weigh the anxieties he once felt for England. But his association with the Knights Templars leads to personal disaster. With the destruction of all he holds dear, he must decide if he should retire into obscurity or allow himself to be drawn down a dangerous road of bloody retribution and assassination. England descends into a terrible Civil War between King Stephen and Matilda, the daughter of King Henry. Against this background, Hugh Bigod becomes embroiled in the appalling murder of a young tanner boy. The Jews of Norwich stand accused of the death and Hugh sees a chance to benefit from the tragedy. Justice seems to be a secondary concern. The Bigod Chronicles Book One Ilger Book Two The Order Book Three William Book Four Hugh
In a world facing chronic and increasing shortages in food crops and natural resources, visionary leadership in agriculture becomes more and more critical for building and maintaining a sustainable future. It is of paramount importance that the dynamic and challenging evolution in agriculture over the last century and a half be met today with imaginative leadership in virtually all aspects of activities and organizations involved. Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation focuses on key characteristics and elements of leadership. Using case studies from research, industry, education, administration, and extension services, the authors present real-world circumstances ranging from natural disasters to major restructuring that demanded problem solving, new initiatives, consensus, and organizational commitment. Drawing on their own experiences and covering topics as diverse as closing facilities, mounting a national research initiative, reinventing a major corporation, and dealing with invasive termites, the studies contain examples of both good and bad outcomes and tie back to the stated leadership principles and qualities. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Preface vii Acknowledgments xiii Leadership in the Agricultural Environment 1 Character: The Bedrock of Leaders and Leadership 13 Case Studies—How Leadership Can Make a Difference 37 1. Facing Down Nature: How a Regional Lab Survived Hurricane Katrina (Addressing Physical Crises) 38 2. Exerting Ag Leadership in Distributed Geographic Locations (Coordinating Dispersed Units within One Organization) 49 3. Closing and Relocating Facilities and Terminating Programs (Leadership Challenges with Organizational Restructuring) 59 4. National Research Initiative: Creating a Shared Leadership Vision (Bringing about a New Solution) 73 5. Battling Formosan Subterranean Termites (Forging a New Approach) 81 6. Gathering of the Agricultural Clan (Bringing Leaders Together without Central Authority) 90 7. Monsanto: How One Company Saw the Future and Transformed to Seize It (Leadership’s Role in a Significant Change) 96 8. Enhancing Leadership in the State Agricultural Experiment Stations (Cultivating New Leadership) 123 9. Development of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) (Enhancing a Better Understanding of Agricultural Science and Technology) 133 Lessons Learned from Case Studies 145 Making Leadership Work for You 152 Appendixes: How Does the Scientific Agricultural System Work? 161 Appendix A. The Land-Grant System: A Key to America’s Dream? How Does It Function? 161 Appendix B. The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service: Focus on National and International Issues 165 Appendix C. The Industrial Approach to Research: Diverse Foci Linked to Industrial Economic Effects 167 Notes 171 Bibliography 173 About the Authors 177 Index 179
Canadians were once church-goers. During the post-war boom of the 1950s, Canadian churches were vibrant institutions, with attendance rates even higher than in the United States, but the following decade witnessed emptying pews. What happened? In Leaving Christianity Brian Clarke and Stuart Macdonald quantitatively map the nature and extent of Canadians’ disengagement with organized religion and assess the implications for Canadian society and its religious institutions. Drawing on a wide array of national and denominational statistics, they illustrate how the exodus that began with disaffected baby boomers and their parents has become so widespread that religiously unaffiliated Canadians are now the new majority. While the old mainstream Protestant churches have been the hardest hit, the Roman Catholic Church has also experienced a significant decline in numbers, especially in Quebec. Canada’s civil society has historically depended on church members for support, and a massive drift away from churches has profound implications for its future. Leaving Christianity documents the true extent of the decline, the timing of it, and the reasons for this major cultural shift.
Now in his late sixties, Hugh Bigod cannot resist aggravating the divisive relationship between King Henry and his Archbishop Thomas Becket. To keep Hugh in check the king builds Orford Castle, prompting him to rebel. Emboldened by the support of some unlikely allies, Hugh takes his revenge against Lord Sisland and rekindles his friendship with Count Philip of Flanders. He embarks on a bloody path, strewn with the bodies of friends and enemies alike. A path that leads inexorably towards his final conflict. In the east, Saladin consolidates his power as the 'time of promises' grows ever closer. With his mentor Muzawi, they enter the deadly catacombs of Kom-el-Shoqafa looking for answers that will release untold power. The Holy relic of Lydda finally gives up its timeless secret and as the eternal battle between good and evil reaches its climax, the End of Days threatens to lay waste the Holy Land. The Bigod Chronicles Books One to Four
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