NAVAL POSTGRADUATE · PDF file Asymmetric, Guerilla Warfare, Counterinsurgency, COIN, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, MOUT, Low Intensity Conflict, Stabilization and Reconstruction,

NAVAL

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

THESIS

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CONFLICT WITHOUT CASUALTIES: NON-LETHAL WEAPONS IN IRREGULAR WARFARE

by

Richard L. Scott

September 2007

Thesis Advisor: Robert McNab Second Reader: Sophal Ear

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REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)

2. REPORT DATE September 2007

3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Master’s Thesis

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Conflict Without Casualties: Non-Lethal Weapons in Irregular Warfare 6. AUTHOR(S) Richard L. Scott

5. FUNDING NUMBERS

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA 93943-5000

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11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

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13. ABSTRACT (maximum 200 words) In this thesis I show that the casualties associated with warfare can be largely avoided. This includes combatant casualties, as well as noncombatant and friendly forces. The U.S. military is frequently tasked with deploying into foreign countries and performing duties that range from conventional combat operations to humanitarian relief and training host nationals. The politics of every deployment are complicated and invariably there will be some resistance, both domestically and internationally. People may feel victimized or marginalized and may demonstrate with protests, both peaceful and violent. How, then, may the use of non-lethal force be best applied in hostile situations in lieu of the “shout or shoot” approach commonly associated with military operations? Scientific advances in non-lethal technology may serve to curb violence while still allowing Soldiers and Marines to accomplish their missions.

15. NUMBER OF PAGES

93

14. SUBJECT TERMS Non-Lethal Weapons, NLW, Less Lethal, Irregular Warfare, Unconventional, Asymmetric, Guerilla Warfare, Counterinsurgency, COIN, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, MOUT, Low Intensity Conflict, Stabilization and Reconstruction, Stability Operations, Support Operations, SOSO, Security Operations. 16. PRICE CODE

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Unclassified

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Unclassified

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF ABSTRACT

Unclassified

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UU NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18

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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

CONFLICT WITHOUT CASUALTIES: NON-LETHAL WEAPONS IN IRREGULAR WARFARE

Richard L. Scott

Captain, United States Army B.A., University of Washington, Tacoma, 2001

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS IN SECURITY STUDIES (STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION)

from the

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL September 2007

Author: Richard L. Scott

Approved by: Robert McNab Thesis Advisor

Sophal Ear Second Reader

Douglas Porch Chairman, Department of National Security Affairs

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ABSTRACT

In this thesis I show that the casualties associated with warfare can be largely

avoided. This includes combatant casualties, as well as noncombatant and friendly

forces. The U.S. military is frequently tasked with deploying into foreign countries and

performing duties that range from conventional combat operations to humanitarian relief

and training host nationals. The politics of every deployment are complicated and

invariably there will be some resistance, both domestically and internationally. People

may feel victimized or marginalized and may demonstrate with protests, both peaceful

and violent. How, then, may the use of non-lethal force be best applied in hostile

situations in lieu of the “shout or shoot” approach commonly associated with military

operations? Scientific advances in non-lethal technology may serve to curb violence

while still allowing Soldiers and Marines to accomplish their missions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................1 A. MOTIVATION ................................................................................................1 B. THESIS .............................................................................................................3 C. HISTORICAL CONTEXT .............................................................................5 D. CURRENT REQUIREMENTS AND CAPABILITIES...............................8 E. STRUCTURE OF THESIS.............................................................................9

II. LITERATURE REVIEW .........................................................................................11 A. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................11

1. Strategic Policies ................................................................................12 2. Tactical Publications..........................................................................14 3. Commercial Publications ..................................................................18

B. COIN PRINCIPLES AND IMPERATIVES...............................................21 C. LETHAL FORCE IN IRREGULAR WARFARE .....................................24 D. NON-LETHAL WEAPONS AND IRREGULAR WARFARE.................26 E. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................29

III. CASE STUDIES.........................................................................................................31 A. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................31 B. CHECKPOINT OPERATIONS...................................................................33 C. URBAN RIOTS..............................................................................................34 D. CROWD CONTROL.....................................................................................36 E. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................38

IV. NLWS AND STABILITY OPERATIONS..............................................................41 A. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................41 B. RISKS..............................................................................................................42

1. Strategic Risks....................................................................................43 2. Operational Risks...............................................................................44 3. Tactical Risks .....................................................................................45

C. BENEFITS......................................................................................................46 1. Strategic Benefits ...............................................................................46 2. Operational Benefits ..........................................................................47 3. Tactical Benefits .................................................................................48

D. COSTS ............................................................................................................49 E. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................51

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................53 A. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................53 B. RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................54

1. Strategic Recommendations..............................................................55 2. Operational Recommendations ............................