Tequila Junction: 4th-Generation Counterinsurgency
"More of an intelligence brief [and tactics manual] than a book, 'Tequila Junction' ... warns of the very real threat drug smuggling and communist expansion in Latin America pose to the U.S.... Part Three talks about how specifically to run a fourth-generation counterinsurgency against narco-guerrillas, such as those in Colombia or Afghanistan." --Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA), 5 January 2009"Citing the combination of drug smuggling and communist expansion in Latin America as a major threat to the United States, H. John Poole details how ill-equipped the Pentagon and U.S. are for such a showdown with their continuing focus and fascination on technology and weaponry." --Aerospace Daily and Defense Report, 19 September 2008"A new book--actually, more of a military field-manual -- 'Tequila Junction' by author John Poole -- argues for Washington to refocus on the drug trade in Latin America and its growing ties with nations renown for their connections to insurgencies and terrorists, such as those in Afghanistan." --Savannah Morning News, 2 October 2008"'Tequila Junction' is the first narco-counterinsurgency manual to be published in the U.S., so its proposals could help to turn the tide in Afghanistan." --Mil. Officers Assn. of America (MOAA) Magazine, August 2009"[A] tactical-technique manual for narco-counterinsurgency. Like the FARC in Colombia, the Taliban funds itself through drug production. Thus, the book's later chapters could ... [help U.S. forces] to stabilize Afghanistan.... [P]leased with the factual content.... Always well written and thoroughly researched, this book is ... an outstanding training tool." --Leatherneck, October 2008"The entire Poole series, beginning with 'The Last Hundred Yards' ... through his most recent 'Tequila Junction' ... provide unique insight into terrorists, insurgents, and guerrillas that is underappreciated within defense and security hierarchies." --The Counter Terrorist, January 2009"While the U.S. is focused on conflicts half a world away, Fourth Generation war is coming through our back door. As always, John Poole offers the best small-unit tactics and techniques for meeting the new 4GW threat (father of 4th-Generation Warfare theory)." --William S. Lind, June 2008"Recalling my exploits as a PFC and then alone [as a young officer] as Vietnam was falling, I can see that Poole is right. Only through the initiative ... of hundreds of tiny and well-dispersed U.S. enlisted contingents will we be able to stabilize a worldwide insurgency.... Poole's ... new training method [in the book's annex] should ... be seriously considered by all U.S. combat commanders.... I highly recommend this book to all U.S. military professionals (former commander of Camp Lejeune)."--Maj.Gen. Ray L. Smith USMC (Ret.), July 2008"John Poole has written a thought-provoking and intriguing work in 'Tequila Junction.' He has masterfully made the case for attention and action toward threats being ignored due to our myopic focus on Islamic extremism. This is another exceptional volume to add to his superb collection of works dealing with the new forms of conflict we face." --Gen. Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Ret.), June 2008"Our current threat is multi-dimensional and multi-directional.... John Poole, cautions us to broaden our concerns beyond our ... distant threats to those much closer to home. The thought-provoking premise of 'Tequila Junction' warns us of a global insurgency emerging to operate from within (former commander of 1st Marine Division)." --Maj.Gen. John H. Admire USMC (Ret.), 2008"Poole's methods are an example of a decentralised approach to counterinsurgency that may provide a tactical level solution that ensures we we . . . keep the insurgents off balance in Uruzgan [Afghanistan]." --Australian Army Journal, Volume VII, Number 3"'Tequila Junction' warns of a huge threat to ... the country: the pernicious influence of China ... in Latin America. Through exhaustive research and clear thinking, John Poole details the influence of drug ... smuggling ... [and gives] our military a clear way of combating this problem ... with light infantry acting like police: convert[ing] enemies instead of killing them. This is a must read for all levels of the military (publisher emeritus of Presidio Press)." --Col. Robert V. Kane U.S. Army (Ret.), July 2008"[E]excellent new book detailing how ... how America's enemies thrive on the chaos caused by drugs, terrorism and unrest. The lessons of ... the Marines' ... CAP program point the way to victory (professional military historian)." --Kim B. Holien, June 2008"'Tequila Junction' is a narco-counterinsurgency manual. Closely following this book's proposals, says H. John Poole, a military author and a Marine combat veteran of Vietnam, should allow U.S. victory in Afghanistan." --Oberlin Alumni Magazine, Spring 2009"[T]his book describes a growing trend in the Western Hemisphere that bears serious consequences ... if it is not addressed soon.... The research is amazing and the bibliography extensive (frigate commander at the Battle of Leyte Gulf)." --Vice Adm. Thomas R. Sargent USCG (Ret.), July 2008