Asymmetric Warfare and Military Thought

Asymmetric Warfare and Military Thought PDF Author: Adam Lowther
Publisher: Glen Segell Publishers
ISBN: 1901414310
Category : Asymmetric warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 73

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Book Description
Adam Lowther

Asymmetric Warfare and Military Thought

Asymmetric Warfare and Military Thought PDF Author: Adam Lowther
Publisher: Glen Segell Publishers
ISBN: 1901414310
Category : Asymmetric warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 73

Get Book

Book Description
Adam Lowther

Asymmetrical Warfare

Asymmetrical Warfare PDF Author: Roger W. Barnett
Publisher: Potomac Books
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
Possible asymmetrical warfare scenarios include launching chemical, biological, or suicide attacks; taking indiscriminate actions against critical infrastructure; using hostages or human shields; deliberately destroying the environment; and targeting noncombatants.".

An Asymmetrical Symmetry

An Asymmetrical Symmetry PDF Author: Fulvio Poli
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Asymmetric warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
In the last few years, notions like "asymmetric warfare", and, more recently, "hybrid warfare" have become as common and pervasive as to appear like new orthodoxy in military thought. Contemporary doctrine, official documents, papers, briefings strive to pay tribute or reverence to these new ideas. If no reference is made to them, the author is accused of conservatism, myopia, ignorance, or bad faith. This new picture is conceptualized in sound and persuasive theory; plenty of references are made to the masters of strategic thinking, including Sun Tzu, von Clausewitz, Jomini, Mahan, Douhet, as well as to wars, campaigns and battles of the past in order to demonstrate their relevance. This project will examine these theories through the lens of critical thinking and demonstrate that these "new" constructs are anything but original. In particular, two historical case studies, the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 CE) and the Philippine-American War (1899-1902 CE), will be summarily analyzed to demonstrate that asymmetry and hybridism have been common characteristics of war through the ages since the very beginning of humanity. Thinking otherwise is to invite professional atrophy and insipidness.

Challenging the United States Symmetrically and Asymmetrically

Challenging the United States Symmetrically and Asymmetrically PDF Author: Lloyd J. Matthews
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description
The concept of asymmetrical warfare is a popular and much discussed issue in U.S. defense literature these days. Joint Vision 2010 (JV 2010),2 the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR),3 and the National Military Strategy (NMS)4 are just a few of the documents that express concern about it. Understandably, the Secretary of Defense has made addressing the phenomenon a central theme of his administration. All of that said, what exactly is meant by asymmetrical warfare? In broad terms it simply means warfare that seeks to avoid an opponent's strengths; it is an approach that tries to focus whatever may be one side's comparative advantages against its enemy's relative weaknesses.5 In a way, seeking asymmetries is fundamental to all warfighting. But in the modern context, asymmetrical warfare emphasizes what are popularly perceived as unconventional or nontraditional methodologies. For most potential adversaries, attacking the United States asymmetrically is the only warfighting strategy they might reasonably consider for the foreseeable future. The Gulf War was an object lesson to military planners around the globe of the futility of attempting to confront the United States symmetrically, that is, with like forces and orthodox tactics. In this essay I briefly examine how the West's cultural disposition and mindset affect its concept of asymmetrical warfare. I contend that the West's current focus may leave it vulnerable to asymmetrical challenges that arise from opponents whose cultural perspective differs significantly from that of the West.

Rethinking Asymmetric Threats

Rethinking Asymmetric Threats PDF Author: Stephen Blank
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Asymmetric warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
For several years U.S. policymakers, officials, and writers on defense have employed the terms "asymmetric" or "asymmetry" to characterize everything from the nature of the threats we face to the nature of war and beyond. The author challenges the utility of using those terms to characterize the threats we face, one element of the broader debate over the nature of war, U.S. strategy, and the threats confronting us. As a work of critique, it aims to make an important contribution to the threat debate. A correct assessment of the nature of the threat environment is essential to any sound defense doctrine for the U.S. Army and the military as a whole. That correct assessment can only be reached through a process of critique and debate.

How the Weak Win Wars

How the Weak Win Wars PDF Author: Ivan Arreguín-Toft
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316583007
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
How do the weak win wars? The likelihood of victory and defeat in asymmetric conflicts depends on the interaction of the strategies weak and strong actors use. Using statistical and in-depth historical analyses of conflicts spanning two hundred years, in this 2005 book Ivan Arregúin-Toft shows that, independent of regime type and weapons technology, the interaction of similar strategic approaches favors strong actors, while opposite strategic approaches favors the weak. This approach to understanding asymmetric conflicts allows us to makes sense of how the United States was able to win its war in Afghanistan (2002) in a few months, while the Soviet Union lost after a decade of brutal war (1979–89). Arreguín-Toft's strategic interaction theory has implications not only for international relations theory, but for policy makers grappling with interstate and civil wars, as well as terrorism.

Asymmetric Warfare

Asymmetric Warfare PDF Author: Rod Thornton
Publisher: Polity
ISBN: 0745633641
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 253

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Book Description
In recent years, the nature of conflict has changed. Through asymmetric warfare radical groups and weak state actors are using unexpected means to deal stunning blows to more powerful opponents in the West. From terrorism to information warfare, the Wests air power, sea power and land power are open to attack from clever, but much weaker, enemies. In this clear and engaging introduction, Rod Thornton unpacks the meaning and significance of asymmetric warfare, in both civilian and military realms, and examines why it has become such an important subject for study. He seeks to provide answers to key questions, such as how weaker opponents apply asymmetric techniques against the Western world, and shows how the Wests military superiority can be seriously undermined by asymmetric threats. The book concludes by looking at the ways in which the US, the state most vulnerable to asymmetric attack, is attempting to cope with some new battlefield realities. This is an indispensable guide to one of the key topics in security studies today.

Winning the Asymmetric War

Winning the Asymmetric War PDF Author: Josef Schröfl
Publisher: Peter Lang D
ISBN: 9783631572498
Category : Asymmetric warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The study of asymmetrical warfare extends from the earliest known writings of man to the present day. While the term «asymmetrical warfare» may be unfamiliar to the lay person, the concept is by no means strange to any who have even minimal exposure to historical events. From the biblical story of David and Goliath to Herodotus' account of the Battle of Thermopylae to the American Revolution asymmetrical warfare has been recounted or documented throughout human history. Latest since 9/11 the phenomenon of asymmetric warfare has become a subject within the international relations. The essays in the book offer a detailed look at various aspects of asymmetrical warfare from the theoretical to the practical to manifestations of asymmetry in recent history. While not a comprehensive list of all the contemporary avenues of research on the subject, the authors provide a sample of the broad range of approaches to the study of asymmetrical warfare.

Environment, Geography, and the Future of Warfare

Environment, Geography, and the Future of Warfare PDF Author: Shira Efron
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781977402998
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
This volume of the Future of Warfare series examines significant environmental and geographic trends that could affect U.S. national security, including the opening of the Arctic, sea level rise, water scarcity, and increasing urbanization.

Science, Strategy and War

Science, Strategy and War PDF Author: Frans P.B. Osinga
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113419708X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
John Boyd is often known exclusively for the so-called ‘OODA’ loop model he developed. This model refers to a decision-making process and to the idea that military victory goes to the side that can complete the cycle from observation to action the fastest. This book aims to redress this state of affairs and re-examines John Boyd’s original contribution to strategic theory. By highlighting diverse sources that shaped Boyd’s thinking, and by offering a comprehensive overview of Boyd’s work, this volume demonstrates that the common interpretation of the meaning of Boyd’s OODA loop concept is incomplete. It also shows that Boyd’s work is much more comprehensive, richer and deeper than is generally thought. With his ideas featuring in the literature on Network Centric Warfare, a key element of the US and NATO’s so-called ‘military transformation’ programmes, as well as in the debate on Fourth Generation Warfare, Boyd continues to exert a strong influence on Western military thinking. Dr Osinga demonstrates how Boyd’s work can helps us to understand the new strategic threats in the post- 9/11 world, and establishes why John Boyd should be regarded as one of the most important (post)modern strategic theorists.