Collections: Against the State – A Primer on Terrorism, Insurgency and Protest

This article by military historian Bret Devereaux provides a strategic primer on the theories behind insurgencies and non-violent protests, framing both as 'attacks on will' within a Clausewitzian framework. The analysis posits that both movements, being weaker than the state, aim to preserve their own morale while eroding the state's public support. The second half of the article applies this theory to the ongoing 2026 'anti-ICE' protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It details the escalation of civil unrest following the lethal shootings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents (ICE/CBP). The author notes a significant collapse in public approval for immigration enforcement, shifting from a fringe to a plurality/majority position ('Abolish ICE') within a year. The article identifies a strategic dilemma for the administration (led by Kristi Noem): either concede to non-violent protesters or continue utilizing 'exemplary violence' that further delegitimizes the state's authority and threatens midterm election outcomes. It also highlights internal struggles within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including recruitment failures and the lack of an 'insider' force sufficient for large-scale authoritarian repression.