In this essay, I will argue that it is difficult for a foreign power to defeat an insurgency in the insurgent's home territory. To begin, I will review the literature in the field of asymmetric warfare related to the differences and similarities between guerrilla warfare and terrorism. Finally, I will examine how the literature in the field can be applied to deepen our understanding of counterinsurgency efforts. What is an insurrection? The media does a poor job of differentiating between terrorism and guerrilla warfare. In this area, many researchers seek to differentiate between these two phenomena. Understanding this difference is essential before beginning a discussion about how to counter insurgent movements. Guerrilla Insurgency Theory It seems logical that, in an effort to explain guerrilla insurgency, we begin with a definition. John Nagl explains that guerrilla warfare "is derived from the Spanish term for 'little war'." He then follows the mutation of conflictual literature from Jomini to Clauseiwtz, then to Mao. Jomini had a very simple objective which served as the basis for many military strategies. He asserted that “the annihilation of enemy forces was the best path to victory.” This idea "was corrupted before World War I by the concept that offense was both practically and morally superior to defense in all cases." He further claims that this remained the mantra of many armies despite the tragic consequences of the First World War. Although Clausewitz and Jomini lived at the same time, Clausewitz understood the change brought about by the way "Napoleon harnessed the power of the French people to wage war." This “rise of nationalism meant that peoples and armies were much more closely linked. ...... middle of paper ...... Military history. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.Nagl, John A. Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaysia and Vietnam. Ed. pin. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005. Pope, Robert Anthony. Dying to win: the strategic logic of suicide terrorism. Random House Trade Paperback ed. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006.Polk, William Roe. Violent Politics: A History of Insurgency, Terrorism, and Guerrilla Warfare, from the American Revolution to Iraq. 1st edition Harper Vivace. New York: Harper, 2008. Disk, Jeffrey. Beating Goliath: Why Insurgencies Win. 1st ed. Washington, DC: Potomac Books, 2007. Taber, Robert. Flea War: The Classic Study of Guerrilla Warfare. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2002. Tse-Tung, Mao. On guerrilla warfare. Edited by Samuel Griffith: University of Illinois Press, 1961.