Armed conflicts that are ongoing today are characterized by insurgency conditions, and therefore includes the importance of the populace support. The military forces which have been involved in counterinsurgency operations is working on the basis of doctrines which have been influenced by both Trinquier and Galula.
This thesis compares Trinquier and Galulas counterinsurgency theories regarding how they relate to the population. Although these two military theories have had great space in the scientific debate, there is no previous research that demonstrates how the methods they highlight affects the population.
Populace support is regarded as the center of gravity in counterinsurgency, and therefore, the aim of this thesis is to investigate two military theories similarities and differences regarding short- and long-term goals and their approach to the population.
The results of this thesis indicate that Galulas theory relates to the long-term objectives to a greater extent than Trinquiers do. It also means that Galulas theory relate to the population to a greater extent, indicating that his theory has a better chance of success in a counterinsurgency operation on the basis that the population is the center of gravity.