Our interests in this area examine how governments attempt to tackle violent insurgencies. Do they adopt an ‘Iron Fist’ approach and try to exterminate anti-government forces or do they use a ‘Velvet Glove’ strategy and try and win popular support? Our staff are interested in population control methods such as the Strategic Hamlet system adopted by the British in the Malayan Emergency and the Americans in South Vietnam.

Poole, D. (2022) Hunting the Viet Cong - Volume I: The Counterinsurgency Campaign in South Vietnam 1961-1963. Helion & Company.

Poole, D. (2023) Hunting the Viet Cong - Volume II: The Fall of Diem and the Collapse of the Strategic Hamlets, 1961-1964. Helion & Company.