In 1991, protesters in Dili, East Timor were massacred by Indonesian
troops. This turned out to be a political disaster for the Indonesian
government, greatly increasing international support for the East
Timorese independence struggle. The massacre backfired on the Indonesian
government. The Backfire Manual explains why. Imagine you're planning an
action and think you might come under attack. Maybe it's a rally and
there's a risk of police brutality. Maybe you're exposing government
corruption and there could be reprisals against your group. To be
prepared, you need to understand the tactics likely to be used by your
opponent, for example covering up the action and trying to discredit you
and your group. The Backfire Manual provides guidance for this sort of
planning. It outlines the backfire model and gives examples and
exercises for using it. This is a practical handbook for being more
effective whenever you face a powerful, dangerous opponent.