“You can’t really ‘defeat’ an insurgency that has the general support of the local population...”
An ancient maxim. And it has stood the test of time. The only way to prevail over a popular insurgency is via total extermination. And, even at that, it would not be a defeat. Defeat comes when one side quits or surrenders and subjects itself to the tender mercies of its foe. Dying in defense of what you hold dear is just that...dying (and the death is an honorable one).
Another maxim (paraphrased): The true warrior can be killed, but never defeated.
You guys are dreaming:
Map: European colonialism conquered every country in the world but these five
https://www.vox.com/2014/6/24/5835320/map-in-the-whole-world-only-these-five-countries-escaped-european