English

Modelling host population support for combat adversaries

Dynamical Systems 2022-09-01 v1 Optimization and Control

Abstract

We consider a model of adversarial dynamics consisting of three populations, labelled Blue, Green and Red, which evolve under a system of first order nonlinear differential equations. Red and Blue populations are adversaries and interact via a set of Lanchester combat laws. Green is divided into three sub-populations: Red supporters, Blue supporters and Neutral. Green support for Red and Blue leads to more combat effectiveness for either side. From Green's perspective, if either Red or Blue exceed a size according to the capacity of the local population to facilitate or tolerate, then support for that side diminishes; the corresponding Green population reverts to the neutral sub-population, who do not contribute to combat effectiveness of either side. The mechanism for supporters deciding if either Blue or Red are too big is given by a logistic-type interaction term. The intent of the model is to examine the role of influence in complex adversarial situations typical in counter-insurgency, where victory requires a genuine balance between maintaining combat effectiveness and support from a third party whose backing is not always assured.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2208.14823,
  title  = {Modelling host population support for combat adversaries},
  author = {Mathew Zuparic and Sergiy Shelyag and Maia Angelova and Ye Zhu and Alexander Kalloniatis},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2208.14823},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

Pre-review version. The manuscript accepted for publication in JORS

R2 v1 2026-06-28T00:28:43.097Z