Tag Archives: COIN Series

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The British Way: Malaya

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In our last InsideGMT article we covered the British counterinsurgency campaign in Palestine between 1945-1947. Just as the British were withdrawing from Palestine, labor unrest was rising in the British colony of Malaya. In July 1948, the British declared a state of emergency against the rising unrest and violence being organized by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP). The British Way: Malaya covers this conflict, one of the most famous counterinsurgency victories of the 20th century. The British campaign between 1948-1960 is still used as a model for Western counterinsurgency theory, and other counterinsurgency campaigns during the Cold War tried to emulate the British success in defeating the MCP. This article will highlight some of the major mechanics and themes covered in The British Way: Malaya.

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The British Way: Palestine

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Having provided a general overview of the whole multi-pack in our first InsideGMT article, the rest of this series will focus on providing an overview of each of the individual games, starting with the earliest conflict in the pack. The British Way: Palestine depicts the struggle between Jewish insurgent groups and British forces in Mandatory Palestine between August 1945 and September 1947. This period reflects the height of the Jewish insurgency, and the game ends prior to the breakout of the civil war between Jewish and Arab armed groups following the British decision to leave Palestine. This article will highlight some of the major mechanics and themes covered in The British Way: Palestine.

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The British Way: Introduction to the Multi-Pack

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The British Way covers four counterinsurgency campaigns between 1945 and 1959. In each of these campaigns, the British attempted to control their exit from empire while facing an insurgent opponent. This period of British counterinsurgency influenced subsequent counterinsurgency doctrine and campaigns by both the British and other countries. In future articles, I will cover background and mechanics on each of the individual games, but first I want to provide background on the argument being made in the multipack and explain what exactly a “COIN multi-pack” is. I specifically want to address what I see as the two major themes of The British Way.

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The Chronicles of Ōnin #5: Ikki Leagues and Antinomianism

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Pure Land Buddhism venerates the Buddha Amitābha (Amida in Japanese) and originated in India, before spreading to China and eventually Japan. In Japan, Pure Land (Jodo Shū) and True Pure Land (Jōdo Shinshū) Buddhism were both founded in the 12th century, the former by the monk Hōnen and the latter by his disciple Shinran, but did not enjoy widespread popularity until the 15th century. Both traditions teach that humanity is in an age of spiritual decline, but that sincere faith in Amida Buddha can ensure that one is reborn into the Pure Land, where one will receive instruction in how to achieve enlightenment. However, Shinran also taught that due to the corrupt nature of humanity, there is nothing one can do to cultivate this faith, but rather it must be bestowed upon one by the grace of Amida Buddha. All that one can do is chant the Nembutsu (“Namu Amida Butsu”, or “Hail Amida Buddha”), an expression of gratitude to Amida Buddha, and hope for salvation. This teaching has occasionally been declared heretical by the orthodox Buddhist establishment in Japan, but today it is hugely popular, with Jōdo Shinshū being one of the most widely practiced branches of Buddhism in modern Japan.

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The Chronicles of Ōnin #4: The Peasant Economy and the Jizamurai

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15th century Japan was a largely agricultural society, with urban population centres like Kyoto being the exception rather than the norm. The previous capital Kamakura in northern Honshu was another exception, but cities like Sakai, Osaka, and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) did not fully emerge until the end of this period. Although the feudal class system was not made explicit or strictly enforced until the Edo Bakufu took power at the end of the next century, under the Muromachi Bakufu there was still a clear distinction between the kuge (aristocratic nobles who served the Imperial family), the buke (warrior clans who increasingly controlled the affairs of state), and the large mass of commoners including peasant farmers, artisans and craftsmen, and merchants and traders.
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The Chronicles of Ōnin #3: Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen

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The two main competitors for control of the Muromachi Bakufu during the Ōnin War were the Hosokawa clan, led by Hosokawa Katsumoto, and the Yamana clan, led by Yamana Sōzen. The Hosokawa were descended from the Seiwa Genji line of the Imperial family, and along with the Hatakeyama and Shiba clans, held dominant positions in the Muromachi Bakufu. The Yamana clan, by contrast, were relative political outsiders at the time of the Ōnin War, having lost favour after rebelling against the bakufu in 1391, and only recently regained it for their actions against the Akamatsu rebels in 1441. Both clans survived into the Sengoku era and beyond, although they were never again so powerful. The current head of the Hosokawa family, Hosokawa Morihiro, was Prime Minister of Japan from 1993-1994.
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The Chronicles of Ōnin #2: Yoshimasa and the Muromachi Court

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Ashikaga Yoshimasa unexpectedly became shogun at a young age, after his older brother Yoshikatsu died under possibly suspicious circumstances, and it is clear that he never really wanted the responsibility that came with the position. He was more interested in artistic and spiritual pursuits, and is known today not only for his mismanagement of the Ōnin War, but also for his patronage of the artistic traditions that developed into (now) classical Higashiyama culture. These traditions draw on Zen Buddhism and the concept of wabi-sabi (imperfection and impermanence), and include the tea ceremony, flower arranging, Noh theatre, ink painting, and certain forms of poetry. Before the outbreak of the Ōnin War, Yoshimasa ordered the construction of a new villa that he planned to (and eventually did) retire to, now called the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), in contrast with the older and more ornate Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) commissioned by his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The understated and sometimes sorrowful nature of Higashiyama culture gains an extra poignancy upon learning of its origins in the bloody, and ultimately futile, Ōnin War.

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Laban! Chapter 9: The Scenarios in People Power

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If you’re a regular reader of this series, by now you know that People Power covers the political history of the Philippines post-Martial Law until the beginning of the Corazon Aquino administration. This 5-year period was full of activity and many pivotal moments, which are the focus of the scenarios in People Power. The main scenario covers the period after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, while the extended scenario allows players to experience the full 5-year narrative of the fall of Marcos.

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The Chronicles of Ōnin #1: Civil War in Muromachi Japan

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The Pure Land depicts the decade-long Ōnin War in 15th century Japan, a civil war for control of the Muromachi Bakufu set against a backdrop of peasant unrest and religious militancy. This conflict precipitated the Sengoku (or Warring States) period that would continue into the 16th century, and was the beginning of the slow decline of the established order. In future articles I will go into more detail about the factions involved in the war and how I have chosen to depict them, but first I will set the scene with a short historical overview of this era.

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All Bridges Burning: Some Post-Publication Rules Variants

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Until you have a community playing you don’t know how good of a job you’ve done.

Richard Garfield

A good half a year has passed since the publication of the COIN Series Volume X, All Bridges Burning. The reception has been amazing. The game was nominated for the Golden Geek Award, several good reviews have appeared (see here for a selection), and generally the feedback has been really positive. It seems that All Bridges Burning was able to bring something new and captivating on the table in the tried and tested COIN Series.