This glossary serves as a foundational reference for students, professionals, and researchers of irregular warfare, guerrilla tactics, and resistance movements. The terms draw on primary sources such as T.E. Lawrence, Mao Zedong, and Che Guevara, as well as unclassified U.S. Special Forces doctrine and modern academic research. Each definition is written with both historical context and present-day application in mind, helping readers connect classic concepts to ongoing irregular conflicts worldwide.
[A-C] [D-G] [H-L] [M-R] [S-Z]
A-C
Active Resistance
Definition:
Organized opposition involving direct action, such as sabotage, armed conflict, or strikes.
Key Characteristics:
- Involves overt confrontation with authorities or occupying forces.
- It can take the form of violent (armed rebellion) or nonviolent (civil disobedience) actions.
- Often coordinated by underground networks or external sponsors.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- French Resistance (WWII): Engaged in sabotage, assassinations, and intelligence-gathering against Nazi occupation.
- Solidarity Movement (Poland, 1980s): A nonviolent opposition to Soviet-backed rule that led to systemic political change.
Related Terms:
- Sabotage
- Clandestine Operations
- Civil Disobedience
Asymmetrical Engagements
Definition:
Tactical encounters where a weaker force exploits unconventional methods to counter a superior opponent.
Key Characteristics:
- Uses terrain, deception, and mobility instead of brute force.
- Focuses on attrition, psychological impact, and disruption.
- Often seen in insurgencies, guerrilla warfare, and cyber warfare.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Mujahideen vs. the Soviet Union (1979–1989): Used hit-and-run tactics to wear down Soviet forces.
- Hezbollah vs. Israel (2006): Combined guerrilla tactics with missile warfare.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Hybrid Warfare
- Proxy Warfare
Attrition Warfare
Definition:
A strategy of gradually wearing down the enemy through sustained personnel and material losses rather than decisive battles.
Key Characteristics:
- Seeks to exhaust the opponent’s resources over time.
- Often leads to high casualties and prolonged conflicts.
- Historically favored by numerically superior but technologically inferior forces.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- World War I (1914–1918): The Western Front exemplified attrition warfare through prolonged trench warfare.
- Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988): A long war of attrition where both sides suffered heavy losses.
Related Terms:
- War of the Flea
- Total War
- Guerrilla Warfare
Clandestine Operations
Definition:
Covert missions designed to conceal the identity of those carrying them out are often used in espionage, sabotage, and resistance movements.
Key Characteristics:
- Requires secrecy, deception, and deniability.
- Conducted by intelligence agencies, special forces, or underground networks.
- It may involve assassination, sabotage, intelligence gathering, or cyber warfare.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Operation Anthropoid (1942): The assassination of SS officer Reinhard Heydrich by Czech resistance fighters.
- Israeli Mossad Operations: Numerous covert operations targeting high-value adversaries.
Related Terms:
- Covert Action
- Sabotage
- Espionage
D-G
Deep Battle Doctrine
Definition:
A Soviet-era military strategy that influenced modern irregular warfare by integrating multi-layered offensives to overwhelm an adversary.
Key Characteristics:
- Disrupts enemy forces at multiple levels (tactical, operational, and strategic).
- Uses a combination of conventional and irregular tactics to penetrate defenses.
- Focuses on simultaneous attacks rather than sequential battles.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Red Army (WWII): Used deep battle principles to break German lines.
- Modern Russian Hybrid Warfare: Integrates deep battle concepts in cyber and proxy conflicts.
Related Terms:
- Hybrid Warfare
- Operational Art
- Proxy Warfare
Direct Action (DA)
Definition:
Small-scale military or paramilitary operations, often involving raids, ambushes, or sabotage, are typically executed by special operations forces.
Key Characteristics:
- Short-duration, high-intensity operations.
- Conducted behind enemy lines or in denied areas.
- Requires precise intelligence and specialized training.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Operation Neptune Spear (2011): U.S. Navy SEAL raid to eliminate Osama bin Laden.
- British SAS Operations (WWII–present): Conducted numerous DA missions in occupied Europe and the Middle East.
Related Terms:
- Raids
- Special Operations
- Covert Action
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
Definition:
A cyberattack aimed at overwhelming a network or website by flooding it with excessive traffic, causing disruptions or shutdowns.
Key Characteristics:
- Targets government systems, financial institutions, or military networks.
- Often used by hacktivists, cyber militias, and state-sponsored actors.
- It can be temporary (to distract) or long-term (to disable infrastructure).
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Estonia Cyberattack (2007): A massive DDoS attack targeted Estonian banks, media, and government websites.
- Ukraine Cyberwar (2014–Present): Russian cyber forces have deployed DDoS attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure.
Related Terms:
- Cyber Warfare
- Sabotage
- Information Operations
Flying Columns
Definition:
Highly mobile guerrilla units that specialize in hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and rapid maneuver warfare.
Key Characteristics:
- Operates independently or semi-independently from larger forces.
- Maximizes speed, flexibility, and surprise in engagements.
- Relies on local knowledge and decentralized command to evade capture.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Michael Collins’ IRA (1919–1921): Used flying columns to ambush British forces in Ireland.
- FARC Guerrillas (Colombia): Deployed mobile units to evade government counterinsurgency operations.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Asymmetrical Engagements
- Raids
Guerrilla Warfare
Definition:
A form of irregular warfare where small, independent groups use ambushes, sabotage, and mobility to engage a stronger force.
Key Characteristics:
- A decentralized command structure is often divided into small units.
- Relies on terrain advantages (jungle, urban, mountainous regions).
- Focuses on attrition rather than direct battlefield victories.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- T.E. Lawrence (Arab Revolt, 1916–1918): Used mobility and psychological warfare.
- The Viet Cong (Vietnam War, 1955–1975): Mastered tunnel networks and jungle ambushes.
Related Terms:
- Urban Guerrilla Warfare
- Maoist Warfare
- People’s War
H-L
Hearts and Minds Strategy
Definition:
A counterinsurgency approach focuses on winning civilian support rather than relying solely on military action.
Key Characteristics:
- Addresses political, economic, and social grievances to undermine insurgent recruitment.
- Combines military actions with humanitarian aid and governance reforms.
- It aims to delegitimize insurgents and gain the local population’s trust.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- British Malayan Emergency (1948–1960): The British used social programs and economic incentives to reduce communist insurgent support.
- U.S. Counterinsurgency in Iraq (2003–2011): Combined military operations with local governance and reconstruction projects.
Related Terms:
- Counterinsurgency (COIN)
- Psychological Operations
- Political Warfare
Hybrid Warfare
Definition:
A modern warfare strategy that combines conventional military tactics, irregular warfare, cyber operations, and propaganda to achieve strategic goals.
Key Characteristics:
- Blends multiple forms of conflict (conventional, cyber, economic, and psychological).
- Uses non-state actors, disinformation campaigns, and proxy forces.
- Reduces the need for full-scale military invasions while still achieving strategic goals.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Russia’s Annexation of Crimea (2014): Used a mix of military deception, cyber warfare, and local militias.
- Iran’s Proxy Warfare Strategy: Utilizes state-backed militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Related Terms:
- Asymmetrical Engagements
- Cyber Warfare
- Proxy Warfare
Insurgent Logistics
Definition:
The methods by which guerrilla forces sustain operations include local resourcing, external support, and captured materiel.
Key Characteristics:
- Relies on local populations for food, medical aid, and intelligence.
- Involves smuggling, black-market networks, and foreign sponsorship.
- Utilizes repurposed civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War): A vast logistical network supporting Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.
- ISIS Supply Chains (2014–2019): Used oil smuggling and extortion to fund operations.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- War of the Flea
- Underground Resistance
Lawrence of Arabia’s Strategy
Definition:
T.E. Lawrence’s irregular warfare doctrine emphasized mobility, psychological warfare, and disruption of enemy supply lines during the Arab Revolt (1916–1918).
Key Characteristics:
- Used tribal alliances to unify fragmented forces.
- Focused on attacking enemy morale rather than direct engagement.
- Relied on deep desert mobility to evade Ottoman forces.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Arab Revolt (1916–1918): Lawrence led Bedouin forces against Ottoman supply lines.
- Mujahideen Warfare (Soviet-Afghan War): Similar mobility and insurgent tactics were used against Soviet forces.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Psychological Operations
- Asymmetric Warfare
Leaderless Resistance
Definition:
A form of decentralized insurgency where autonomous cells operate independently, reducing the risk of leadership decapitation.
Key Characteristics:
- Operates without a central command structure to reduce vulnerability.
- Relies on ideological motivation rather than hierarchical orders.
- Used by extremist movements, guerrilla groups, and cyber activist networks.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Animal Liberation Front (ALF): A loosely connected activist network using sabotage and direct action.
- Lone Actor Terrorism: Individuals carrying out attacks inspired by broader ideological movements.
Related Terms:
- Insurgency
- Urban Guerrilla Warfare
- Clandestine Operations
M-R
Maoist Warfare
Definition:
A revolutionary strategy advocating protracted war, rural support, and political indoctrination was developed by Mao Zedong.
Key Characteristics:
- Follows a three-phase strategy:
- Strategic Defense – Small-scale guerrilla warfare to weaken the enemy.
- Strategic Stalemate – Expansion of resistance, larger coordinated attacks.
- Strategic Counteroffensive – Transition to conventional warfare and final victory.
- Relies on mass mobilization and political education.
- Seeks to gradually erode enemy control over rural areas before moving to cities.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Chinese Communist Revolution (1927–1949): Mao’s forces implemented this strategy against the Kuomintang.
- Naxalite Insurgency (India, Present): Maoist rebels continue to use rural insurgency tactics.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- People’s War
- Asymmetrical Engagements
Mass Mobilization
Definition:
The large-scale organization of people for political or military action is often seen in resistance movements and revolutionary warfare.
Key Characteristics:
- Uses propaganda, grassroots organization, and ideological training.
- It can be violent (armed uprisings) or non-violent (civil resistance).
- Often supported by underground networks or external actors.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Arab Spring (2010-2012): Popular uprisings against authoritarian regimes.
- Cuban Revolution (1953–1959): Fidel Castro used mass support to overthrow Batista.
Related Terms:
- Revolutionary Warfare
- Social Movement
- Political Warfare
Michael Collins’ Tactics
Definition:
The use of urban guerrilla warfare, assassination, and intelligence networks to dismantle British control in Ireland.
Key Characteristics:
- Small-unit attacks on police and military forces.
- Deep intelligence penetration of enemy ranks.
- Selective use of political violence to undermine British authority.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Irish War of Independence (1919–1921): Michael Collins’ Flying Columns and the IRA’s urban operations.
Related Terms:
- Urban Guerrilla Warfare
- Sabotage
- Clandestine Operations
Narrative Warfare
Definition:
The use of propaganda, myth-building, and psychological operations to shape public perception in irregular conflicts.
Key Characteristics:
- Combines psychological manipulation with media influence.
- Uses storytelling to delegitimize opponents.
- Often employed in hybrid warfare and political struggles.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Cold War Propaganda (1947–1991): U.S. and Soviet use of media to influence global perceptions.
- ISIS Media Campaigns (2014–2019): Used social media and digital propaganda to recruit fighters.
Related Terms:
- Psychological Operations
- Hearts and Minds Strategy
- Political Warfare
Proxy Warfare
Definition:
In a conflict, external powers support local forces rather than directly engage in combat.
Key Characteristics:
- Uses surrogate forces to advance geopolitical objectives.
- Often involves arms support, training, and funding.
- Reduces direct risk for the sponsoring nation.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989): The U.S. armed the Mujahideen against the USSR.
- Syrian Civil War (2011-Present): Multiple external actors supporting different factions.
Related Terms:
- Hybrid Warfare
- Asymmetrical Engagements
- Special Operations
Revolutionary Warfare
Definition:
A strategy focused on long-term ideological conflict against an established state or occupying force, using both guerrilla tactics and political mobilization.
Key Characteristics:
- Combines military action with political indoctrination.
- Seeks to overthrow an existing system rather than modify it.
- Often, it has external ideological or material support.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Chinese Communist Revolution (1949): Mao’s successful revolutionary warfare strategy.
- Che Guevara’s Guerrilla Movement: Attempted revolutions in Latin America.
Related Terms:
- People’s War
- Mass Mobilization
- Political Warfare
S-Z
Sabotage
Definition:
The deliberate destruction, disruption, or obstruction of enemy resources, infrastructure, or morale.
Key Characteristics:
- Targets supply chains, transportation, or communication networks.
- Can be physical (explosives, arson) or cyber (hacking, data destruction).
- Often conducted by underground resistance groups or special operations forces.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- French Resistance (WWII): Conducted railway sabotage against Nazi forces.
- Stuxnet Cyberattack (2010): Targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
Related Terms:
- Clandestine Operations
- Cyber Warfare
- Unconventional Warfare
Selective Terror
Definition:
The use of targeted assassinations or precision attacks to undermine an enemy’s control while avoiding indiscriminate violence.
Key Characteristics:
- Eliminates key figures (military, political, or intelligence targets).
- Aims to destabilize leadership while maintaining civilian support.
- Used in both urban and rural guerrilla warfare.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Michael Collins’ IRA (1919–1921): Targeted British intelligence officers in Dublin.
- Che Guevara’s Revolutionary Strategy: Advocated for the selective targeting of military leaders.
Related Terms:
- Urban Guerrilla Warfare
- Psychological Operations
- Clandestine Operations
Special Operations Forces (SOF)
Definition:
Elite military units that are trained for unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and high-risk missions.
Key Characteristics:
- Operates in small, highly skilled teams.
- Specializes in direct action, reconnaissance, and asymmetric warfare.
- Works with local resistance forces in insurgency settings.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets): Specialized in foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare.
- British SAS (WWII–present): Conducted behind-enemy-lines operations since WWII.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Unconventional Warfare
- Covert Action
Swarming Tactics
Definition:
The use of highly mobile, dispersed units attacking from multiple directions to overwhelm a superior force.
Key Characteristics:
- Speed and maneuverability over brute force.
- It can be applied in cyber warfare as well as physical combat.
- Often seen in insurgencies, asymmetric conflicts, and drone warfare.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Genghis Khan’s Mongol Tactics: Used fast-moving cavalry to overwhelm enemies.
- Hezbollah’s Missile Warfare (2006): Launched dispersed, simultaneous attacks to evade countermeasures.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Asymmetrical Engagements
- Cyber Warfare
Unconventional Warfare (UW)
Definition:
A form of conflict where irregular forces engage in sabotage, subversion, and resistance against an established power.
Key Characteristics:
- Relies on local resistance forces to conduct operations.
- Combines military, psychological, and economic tactics.
- Often supported by external actors providing intelligence and logistics.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- U.S. Green Berets (Cold War–Present): Trained and assisted resistance movements globally.
- Operation Jedburgh (WWII): Allied teams worked with the French resistance to sabotage German operations.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Special Operations
- Psychological Warfare
War of the Flea
Definition:
A metaphor for guerrilla warfare, describing how a smaller force can gradually wear down a superior opponent over time.
Key Characteristics:
- Focuses on attrition rather than direct confrontation.
- Utilizes hit-and-run attacks to exhaust enemy resources.
- Heavily dependent on local population support for sustainability.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Vietnam War (1955–1975): The Viet Cong used prolonged guerrilla tactics to outlast U.S. forces.
- Taliban Insurgency (2001-Present): Used endurance strategies against Western forces.
Related Terms:
- Guerrilla Warfare
- Attrition Warfare
- People’s War
Zero-Sum Conflict
Definition:
A conflict where one side’s gains directly translate to the other’s losses is often characteristic of total insurgencies and revolutionary wars.
Key Characteristics:
- No middle ground—victory for one side means complete defeat for the other.
- Often tied to ideological or existential struggles.
- This is frequently seen in civil wars and prolonged insurgencies.
Historical/Modern Examples:
- Chinese Communist Revolution (1949): Mao’s forces’ victory meant the total displacement of the Kuomintang to Taiwan.
- Syrian Civil War (2011–Present): Multiple factions engage in zero-sum competition for total control.
Related Terms:
- Revolutionary Warfare
- Political Warfare
- Hybrid Warfare
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