For a conflict to be classified as an insurgency, it must meet three criteria:

Effective counterinsurgency strategies often involve more than just military force. The U.S. Government Counterinsurgency Guide emphasizes a comprehensive approach:

: National insurgencies rely on ideology to unify and inspire followers, often exploiting existing social or religious grievances.

: To survive, insurgencies require supporters, funding, and "safe havens" (sanctuaries) where they can regroup.