counterinsurgency

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Army, counterinsurgency doctrine dictates 20 to 25 troops for every 1,000 inhabitants to achieve stability.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

But the U.S. was fully engaged in counterinsurgency strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan, which made a priority of using the weapons the Pentagon already had instead of producing the new ones of the future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

During the Iraq war, McMaster thoroughly studied the history and theory of counterinsurgency warfare, then applied his learnings as regiment commander in the province of Tal Afar with remarkable success.

From Slate • Sep. 2, 2024

The decision has upended U.S. counterinsurgency operations in Africa’s Sahel.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Instead, counterinsurgency efforts focus on a strategy of "clear, hold, and build"—"clearing" areas of insurgents and death squads, "holding" those areas with Iraqi security forces, and "building" areas with quick-impact reconstruction projects.

From The Iraq Study Group Report by Iraq Study Group (U.S.)