Rethinking Asymmetric Threats

Abstract

For the last several years, the U.S. strategic community has used the terms 'asymmetric' and 'asymmetry' to characterize everything from the threats we face to the wars we fight. In doing so, we have twisted these concepts beyond utility, particularly as they relate to the threats we face. As one writer cited here observed, we have reached the point where the German offensives of 1918 are considered asymmetric attacks. Clearly this use of the term asymmetric or of the concept of asymmetry does not help us assess correctly the threats we face. Indeed, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has voiced his discomfort with the term asymmetry, indicating his unease with its use. This monograph presents a substantive critique of those terms insofar as they relate to the threats, not to the nature of war or strategies that might be formulated against us.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA418033

Entities

People

  • Stephen J. Blank

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Weapons
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Information Systems
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies