Předměty

Insurgency and Counterinsurgency (JPM712)

Summer semester 2025/2026

6 ECTS

Tuesdays 11.00-12.20

(room B330, U Kříže 661/8, Prague 5 - Jinonice)

Please, register for this course also in Moodle: https://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=5676

Course leader

Emil Aslan (emil.aslan@fsv.cuni.cz)

Office hours: Tuesdays, 8:30-10:00 (room B321)

Lecturer

Zdeněk Ludvík (zdenek.ludvik@fsv.cuni.cz)

Office hours: Tuesday 02/17, 11:00-11:30 (room B319); Tuesday 03/03, 12:30-13:00 (room B319); Tuesday 04/14, 12:30-13:00 (room B319)

Invited lecturer

Kledian Myftari (kledian.myftari@fsv.cuni.cz)

Course description

Insurgency and counterinsurgency (COIN) have since the early 2000s become a pressing security challenge. Inspired by the rise of Salafi-jihadism, a religiously-imbued militant ideology striving for what its proponents consider the liberation of Muslim lands from the domination of infidels and hypocrites, insurgent groups have mushroomed around the globe, while many established insurgent groups have increasingly embraced in their struggle jihadi ideology, rhetoric, and methods.

This course offers the students a basic understanding of the phenomenon of insurgency and COIN with emphasis on jihadi groups. Paying particular attention to the closely related phenomenon of Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA), this course explores the causes of violent mobilization into insurgent groups; sources of local insurgent support, key to the survival and success of insurgent groups; and the ideology of Salafi-jihadism that inspires jihadi fighters across the globe. The second section of the course then focuses on the various strategies adapted by the incumbent to put down insurgencies: winning the hearts and minds of the local population; brutalization; and the deployment of indigenous forces in an effort to break down the local support for insurgents.

Combining conceptual and theoretical rigor with rich empirical insights, this course draws on a variety of case studies to give the students a better understanding of the studied phenomena.

Aims of the course

After completing the course, students shall be able to understand and apply in practice the basic concepts and theories of insurgency and counterinsurgency and related phenomena.

Learning outcomes In addition to learning basic facts on the topic of the course, this seminar-style course is intended to contribute to developing methodological and analytical skills among the students.

Course requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes, read all reading assignments before each class, and actively participate in discussions. This course is reading-intensive (approx. 70-100pp per week), which makes a daily reading routine a necessity. Students are encouraged to follow the topics of insurgency and counterinsuirgency in the media.

The students’ performance in the course will be assessed based on the following criteria:

One in-class mid-term test (20%). Test questions will be related to the first section of the course, will mostly draw from the weekly readings, and will test the students’ factual knowledge. No personal notes, electronic devices or literature may be used during the test. The duration of the test is 60 min. Students are expected to attend the test on Week 7. Only those in serious and duly documented circumstances may be excused from the test and are to take the test a week later. Those failing to take the test whatsoever may continue attending the course, but will not acquire up to 20% ascribed to the mid-term test.

One 20min highly analytical presentation on a chosen topic (30%). Power points are not formally required, but are welcomed and may be emailed to lecturer and/or fellow students before class. Formally structured (introduction-main theses-core-conclusion-bibliography + three topic-related questions for class discussion) one page handouts should be distributed to fellow students and the lecturer at the beginning of each presentation. Three main criteria are key for evaluating presentations: (1) formal organization; (2) empirical evidence; (3) argumentation skills. Note that presentations are to be delivered in due time; they cannot be rescheduled.

Research papers (40%), of around 2500 words, in Word files, to be emailed to the lecturer (use zdenek.ludvik@fsv.cuni.cz), due May 26^th 2026, noon Central European Time. Research papers are to be written by two students. Penalties for late submission are as follows: within 24 hours: 5%; within 48 hours: 10%; 48+ hours: not accepted. Research papers have to be original pieces of research, based on the knowledge of related scholarly literature and centered on innovative research questions. Research papers are to be written by two authors, one in charge of the non-empirical sections (theoretical and conceptual introduction, literature review) and one in charge of the empirical sections. Names of both authors and their respective share (i.e., authorship of non-empirical vs. empirical sections) should be clearly stated on front page, with each author given mark individually on his or her part of the paper. Research papers have to be in-depth, contain references (in Chicago or Harvard Manual of Style), be formally organized, and have both general (conceptual and theoretical) and empirical parts. Research papers shall have this structure: Introduction, Conceptualizing (a brief definition of the studied concept or phenomenon), General (sorting out related theories/literature review/presenting one’s research questions), Empirical (providing empirical evidence), Conclusion. Students are encouraged to discuss with the lecturer their preferred topics in advance. The lecturer may assign topics, as well.

Active class participation (10%).

Marking Scale

General Grade	Grade Specification	Percentage
A – excellent	Excellent upper (1)	100 – 96
	Excellent lower (2)	95 - 91
B – very good	Very good upper (1)	90 - 86
	Very good lower (2)	85 – 81
C – good	Good upper (1)	80 – 76
	Good lower (2)	75 – 71
D – satisfactory	Satisfactory upper (1)	70 – 66
	Satisfactory lower (2)	65 – 61
E – sufficient	Sufficient upper (1)	60 - 56
	Sufficient lower (2)	55 - 51
F – fail		50 - 0

Course rules

General Regulations: The Code of Study and Examination of Charles University in Prague provides the general framework of study rules at the university. According to art. 6, par. 17 of this Code, “a student may not take any examination in any subject entered in his study plan more than three times, i.e. he shall have the right to two resit dates; no extraordinary resit date shall be permitted. (…) If a student fails to appear for an examination on the date for which he has enrolled without duly excusing himself, he shall not be marked; the provision of neither this nor of the first sentence shall constitute the right to arrange for a special examination date.”
Academic Integrity: Any written assignment composed by the student shall be an original piece. The practices of plagiarism, defined by the Dean’s Provision no. 18/2015, are seen as “a major violation of the rules of academic ethics” and “will be penalized in accordance with Disciplinarian Regulations of the faculty.” All your assignments are automatically run in the Turnitin plagiarism detection service system upon the submission of your assignment.
Grading and Feedback: Given the high number of students on this course, grading of the individual assignments is typically done at the upper limit of the period stipulated by Charles University, which is two weeks after submission (Code of Study and Examination Charles University in Prague, Article 8, para 10). Therefore, we would like to ask you for patience and not reach out to the lecturer responsible for the grading if you do not see your grade in Moodle before this period has elapsed. Each assignment is evaluated against a very detailed grading rubric that provides you with feedback on different components of your work. Additional feedback on your performance in a specific assignment can be obtained upon request by contacting a specific lecturer by email.
Academic Accommodations: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, contact Emil Aslan during the first week of the semester.
Principles of Communication: Many of us are dealing with additional stress and anxiety. Please know that we want to do everything we can to support you. To do this, though, we need to know about any problem that you might have keeping up with the course when the problem starts. We do not need to know details. Letting us know sooner rather than later, though, is key. We are in a much better position to help if you tell us when the problem arises.
Simultaneously, we are always ready to answer all your questions related to the course and especially its subject area to enhance your learning experience. However, on your part, you are responsible for reading the syllabus and Moodle course site carefully and internalize both as a kind of road map that successfully navigates your way through the course. Therefore, no queries that can be answered by just reading the syllabus or the different sections on the Moodle site (namely the Q&A section), will be replied to by the lecturers. Please consult these two essential information sources first before reaching out to us by email or in person during our office hours.
Inclusive Learning Environment: Students will be invited to share their thoughts in class and a diversity of opinions is welcome. Respectful communication is expected and supporting positions with research findings is encouraged. We are committed to creating a respectful and affirming climate in which all students, staff, and faculty are inspired to achieve their full potential.
Students are invited, if they wish, to indicate how they want to be referred to both in terms of name and pronouns. Additionally, how students identify in terms of gender, race, class, sexuality, religion, and dis/ability, among all aspects of identity, is their choice whether to disclose (e.g., should it come up in classroom conversation). We seek to be respectful of all identities in this course.
Other Policies: In order to ensure the privacy and personal data protection of the students as well as the lecturers, and taking into consideration the sensitive content covered in the course, the course participants are not allowed to make audio or video recordings of the classes. If you are in need of special accommodations due to your disability, audio recordings of the lectures can be negotiated on an individual basis.

Structure of the course

Week 1 (17 February 2026): Introduction (Aslan)

Required reading:¹

Week 2 (24 February 2026): Defining insurgency (Aslan)

Presentation I: Telling apart insurgency, terrorism, and conventional warfare

Required reading:

Week 3 (3 March 2026): Defining Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA) (Ludvík)

Presentation II: Spoilers or governance actors in ungoverned spaces? VNSA in the role of a ‘security threat’ and that of a ‘legitimate representative‘

Required reading:

Clunan, Anne, and Harold Trinkunas. “Alternative Governance and Security.” In: Clunan, Anne, and Harold Trinkunas (eds.). “Ungoverned Spaces: Alternatives to State Authority in an Era of Softened Sovereignty.” Stanford: Stanford University Press (2010): pp. 283–287 only.
Gray, Colin S. “War, Peace and International Relations: An Introduction to Strategic History.” Abingdon, New York: Routledge (2007): pp. 245–252 only.
Lia, Brynjar. “Understanding Jihadi Proto-States.” Perspectives on Terrorism 9.4 (2015): 31–41.
Podder, Sukanya. “Non-State Armed Groups and Stability: Reconsidering Legitimacy and Inclusion.” Contemporary Security Policy 34.1 (2013): 16–39.
Schneckener, Ulrich. “Spoilers or Governance Actors? Engaging Armed Non-State Groups in Areas of Limited Statehood.” SFB-Governance Working Paper Series 21 (2009): 3–31.
Walt, Stephen M. “What Should We Do if the Islamic State Wins?” Foreign Policy. 10/06/2015, http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/10/what-should-we-do-if-isis-islamic-state-wins-containment. [3 p.].
Yeşiltaş, Murat, and Tuncay Kardaş. “Introduction: The Phenomenon of Non-state Armed Actors and Patterns of Violent Geopolitics in the Middle East.” In: Yeşiltaş, Murat, and Tuncay Kardaş (eds.). “Non-State Armed Actors in the Middle East: Geopolitics, Ideology, and Strategy.” Cham: Palgrave Macmillan/Springer (2018): 3–20.

Week 4 (10 March 2026): How insurgency is supported (Aslan)

Presentation III: Effects of selective vs. indiscriminate violence on recruitment into and civilian support for insurgents

Presentation IV: Why risk? Endogenous sources of local support for insurgents

Required reading:

Week 5 (17 March 2026): The ideology of Salafi-jihadism (Aslan)

Presentation V: Understanding the ideology of Salafi-jihadism

Required reading:

Week 6 (24 March 2026): Why people rebel: Understanding the causes of insurgency (Aslan)

Presentation VI: Greed, grievances, or selected incentives? Understanding major violent mobilization theories

Presentation VII: The role of ideology as a cause of insurgency

Required reading:

Week 7 (31 March 2026): Mid-term test

Week 8 (7 April 2026): Counterinsurgency strategies: Hearts and minds vs. brutalization (Aslan)

Presentation VIII: Understanding hearts and minds-based COIN

Presentation IX: Indigenous forces in COIN: A necessary tradeoff?

Required reading:

Week 9 (14 April 2026): Case Study I: Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (Ludvík)

Presentation Xa: Insurgency phase: Symbiosis between Salafi-jihadist radicals and indigenous Tuaregs in the process of displacement of the Malian state

Presentation Xb: COIN phase: The failure of indigenous COIN forces (Mali, ECOWAS) and can the French COIN Serval be considered as successful?

Required reading:

Boeke, Sergei. “Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Terrorism, Insurgency, or Organized Crime?“ Small Wars and Insurgencies 27.5 (2016): 914–936.
Cocodia, Jude. “Nationalist Sentiment, Terrorist Incursions and the Survival of the Malian State.” In: Varin, Caroline, and Dauda Abubakar (eds.). “Violent Non-State Actors in Africa: Terrorists, Rebels and Warlords.” Cham: Palgrave Macmillan/Springer (2017): 49–74.
Guidère, Mathieu. “The Timbuktu Letters: New Insights about AQIM.” Res Militaris 4.1 (2014): 1–16.
Lohmann, Annette L. “Who Owns the Sahara? Old Conflicts, New Menaces. Mali and the Central Sahara between the Tuareg, Al Qaida and Organized Crime.” Abuja, Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2013): 3–24.
Tramond, Olivier, and Philippe Seigneur. “Operation Serval: Another Beau Geste of France in Sub-Saharan Africa?” Military Review 94.6 (2014): 76–86.

Week 10 (21 April 2026): Case Study II: Hezbollah (Ludvík)

Presentation XIa: Insurgency phase: How and why has Hezbollah won the hearts and minds of all Lebanese people?

Presentation XIb: COIN phase: Why has there been no systematic counterinsurgency operation against Hezbollah or can unsystematic and ad hoc Israeli assaults against Hezbollah be considered as a COIN?

Required reading:

Gaub, Florence. “The Role of Hezbollah in Post-Conflict Lebanon.” European Parliament, Directorate General for External Policies (2013): 2–9.
Lucic, Ante. “Hezbollah: An Iranian Project?” National Security and the Future 10.1 (2009): 77–88.
Saab, Bilal Y. “Rethinking Hezbollah’s Disarmament.” Middle East Policy 15.3 (2008): 93–106.
Szekely, Ora. “Hezbollah’s Survival: Resources and Relationships.” Middle East Policy 14.4 (2012): 110–126.
Van Engeland, Anisseh. “Hezbollah: From a Terrorist Group to a Political Party – Social Work as a Key to Politics.” In: Van Engeland, Anisseh, and Rachael M. Rudolph (eds.). “From Terrorism to Politics.” Aldershot, Burlington: Ashgate (2008): 29–49.

Week 11 (28 April 2026): Case Study III: Daesh (Ludvík)

Presentation XIIa: Insurgency phase: Daesh attitude to selective vs. indiscriminate violence

Presentation XIIb: COIN phase: The influence of foreign policies of the world and regional powers on the conduct of the COIN operations against Daesh

Required reading:

Gaub, Florence. “The Cult of ISIS.” Survival 58.1 (2016): 113–130.
Jones, Seth G. (et al.). “Rolling Back the Islamic State.” Santa Monica: Rand Corporation (2017): chap. 2 and 3 only. [57 pp.]
Kadercan, Burak. “What the ISIS Crisis Means for the Future of the Middle East.” Insight Turkey 18.2 (2016): 63–84. [19 pp.]
Lister, Charles. “Profiling the Islamic State.” Doha: Brookings Doha Center (2014): part 1 only. [9 pp.]

Week 12 (5 May 2026): Case Study IV: Al-Shabaab (Ludvík)

Presentation XIIIa: Insurgency phase: Nationalism as a factor of al-Shabaab's power increase vs. Salafi-jihadism as a factor of al-Shabaab's power decline

Presentation XIIIb: COIN phase: The causes of the success of the COIN operations conducted against al-Shabaab

Required reading:

Anzalone, Christopher. “The Resilience of al-Shabaab.” CTC Sentinel 9.4 (2016): 13–20.
Doboš, Bohumil. “Shapeshifter of Somalia: Evolution of the Political Territoriality of Al-Shabaab.” Small Wars and Insurgencies 27.5 (2016): 937–957.
Hansen, Stig J. “An In-Depth Look at Al-Shabab’s Internal Divisions.” CTC Sentinel 7.2 (2014): 9–12.
Jones, Seth G., and Andrew M. Liepman, and Nathan Chandler. “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency in Somalia: Assessing the Campaign Against Al Shabaab.” Santa Monica: Rand Corporation (2016): chap. 3 only.
Tar, Usman A., and Mala Mustapha. “Al-Shabaab: State Collapse, Warlords and Islamist Insurgency in Somalia.” In: Varin, Caroline, and Dauda Abubakar (eds.). “Violent Non-State Actors in Africa: Terrorists, Rebels and Warlords.” Cham: Palgrave Macmillan/Springer (2017): 277–299.

1 Readings for classes 3 and 9–12 are available in the SIS as pdf files. Readings for the rest of the course are available through attached hyperlinks.

Poslední úprava: Aslan Emil, prof. PhDr., Ph.D. (04.02.2026)