Tag: counter/insurgency

• From cuaz to cuate: Training camps for organized crime

  For years now – more or less the entire duration of my doctoral studies – I have been intrigued by the fact that some organized crime groups in Mexico operate training camps. In one form or another, I worked this in to most of my course papers. Once I was done with coursework and working…

  philipljohnson

  November 19, 2019

  Research

  counter/insurgency, crime, Guatemala, Jean Franco, Mexico, violence

• Faces and masks

  A recurring concern in most of my research is the relationship between legitimacy and violence. How do armed groups justify their violence? If every armed group – including state agencies – depends upon a degree of local support, why do so many groups engage in risky, potentially costly behaviour, by targeting or preying on civilians?…

  philipljohnson

  December 28, 2017

  Research

  Allen Feldman, concepts, counter/insurgency, face/mask, Judith Butler, Mexico, Northern Ireland, violence

• Is Mexico facing a criminal insurgency?

  The high levels of violence in Mexico defy the usual scholarly explanations. Organized crime is supposed to fly under the radar, and not let violence interfere with profit. Insurgents are more likely to go public with violence, but do so in pursuit of a clear political agenda. Neither of these paradigms reflect the realities of…

  philipljohnson

  November 22, 2017

  Research

  concepts, counter/insurgency, crime, Mérida Initiative, Mexico, narco-messages, violence