The Dimensions of Asymmetric Warfare

Abstract

The term ‘asymmetric warfare’ has been used with increasing regularity in recent years in reference to the emerging strategic environment. Specifically, it has been used to analyse and describe how future conflicts involving Western countries will be characterized by significant dissimilarities between them and potential opponents. The term has been used primarily in relation to the growing technological gap in conventional military capabilities between Western countries — with the United States occupying a pre-eminent position — and non-Western countries. This qualitative gap was illustrated initially by the comprehensive military defeat of Iraq by the American-led UN Coalition in 1991. More recently, it was demonstrated by the less convincing but ultimately successful coercion of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) by NATO in 1999.