Irregular Warfare

Irregular warfare (IW) is defined as a violent struggle among state and nonstate actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations.  IW favors indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capabilities, in order to erode an adversary’s power, influence, and will.  It is inherently a protracted struggle that will test the resolve of our Nation and our strategic partners. [Secretary of Defense Gates Approved Definition 2007] Today’s complex conflicts may be labeled –and are often mis-labeled– as terms for Irregular Warfare, Unconventional Warfare, Asymmetric Warfare, Small Wars, Long Wars, War of the Flea, Hybrid Conflicts, Hybrid Threats, etc. We have created this Irregular Warfare resource to bridge the institutional gap to assist those who are trying to understand how the elements of “irregular” wars are defined, planned, or can simply evolve … Read entire article »