Asymmetric Warfare: The Only Thing New is the Tactics
Abstract
In On War, Carl von Clausewitz states, Every age has its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions, and its own peculiar preconceptions."1 Many studies, panels and reviews have been conducted in the last decade that identify threats to United States' survival and vital interests and the changing security environment. Most studies agree that the United States will not face a single peer competitor in conventional military terms in the next decade or two. They also agree that the lack of a peer competitor does not mean that the United States cannot be and will not be threatened. Many studies conclude that prudent adversaries, competitors and enemies will avoid our conventional military strength, but may seek to do us harm by identifying and exploiting our weaknesses. Attacking our vulnerabilities has been dubbed asymmetric warfare. Some would imply that this is a new way of war. In fact it is not. Exploiting an adversary's vulnerabilities has been an objective of military and political leaders for centuries. Adversaries that we may face in the future will use asymmetric tactics in order to have a military or psychological effect on the United States. Although we may not be able to completely deter the use of these tactics we can defend against them and mitigate their effects thereby ensuring continued protection of our vital national interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA433588
Entities
People
- Dan Daley
- James Mader
- Tom Smith
Organizations
- National Defense University