REFLECTIONS ON THE COUNTER-INSURGENCY ERA

This June, General David H Petraeus (Rtd) became the 3 5th recipient of the RUSI Chesney Gold Medal, awarded by the Institute to mark both his role in devising and implementing the US counter-insurgency doctrine that was used to such great effect in the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his distinguished lifetime service and contribution to international defence and security. In his acceptance speech - an edited version of which is presented here - General Petraeus reflects on the 'Counter-Insurgency Era' of the past decade and draws lessons for the future.