Arms of Little Value

This book presents a former soldier and CIA officer's insight into the true nature of insurgency and how it will continue to affect the United States in the decades to come.

What we've seen in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrein, Yemen, and elsewhere is merely the beginning. We are entering an extremely dangerous period in our history. The author has been a student and observer—and sometimes a participant—in various insurgencies since his “initiation” in Vietnam in 1969. This book gives the reader an understanding of the true nature of insurgency and a glimpse at the reasons why we have not always dealt with it effectively. If the reader gains some insight into insurgency, and can apply his knowledge intelligently, Jimmy Doolittle’s wish will come true: we will start fighting more from the neckline up . . . and less from the neckline down.

In a career spanning 42 years, Mr. Lamborn has 26 years of experience with the Central Intelligence Agency, working in a variety of operational, analytical, and leadership assignments in the Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, and the Office of the Director. A trained operations officer, Mr. Lamborn specialized in insurgency and influence operations in support of national directives in the 1980s and 1990s. He has served in various Third World countries and in several successor republics of the former Soviet Union. A Vietnam War veteran, he currently lives in San Antonio, Texas.