Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines

Counter Insurgency in Weak or Failing States Moreover, as free societies gain ground around the world, the U.S. military is going to be increasingly restricted in terms of how it operates. An age of democracy means an age of frustratingly narrow rules of engagement. That is because fledgling democratic governments, besieged by young and aggressive local media, will find it politically difficult-if not impossible-to allow American troops on their soil to engage in direct action. -Robert Kaplan, Imperial Grunts An adaptable strategy is called for in a world environment where terrorists and insurgents seek weak and failing states as safe havens from which they can operate. Many terrorists, international criminals, and insurgents operate within the boundaries of sovereign nations with weak or failing governments.