Asymmetric Warfare

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The 9/11 terrorist attacks and the war in Afghanistan are among the best-known recent examples of asymmetric warfare: conflicts between nations or groups that have disparate military capabilities and strategies. RAND investigates political and military responses to—and the impacts of—counterinsurgency, terrorism, and other forms of irregular warfare.

Essay
Civilian Casualties: Lessons from the Battle for Raqqa
The United States' emphasis on minimizing civilian harm in Raqqa, Syria, was quite clear and strong up and down the chain of command. But the way in which the U.S. military waged war in Raqqa too often undercut that commitment. The Pentagon asked RAND to find out what happened.
Jul 1, 2022
Report
Ukrainian Civilians' Contributions to Resisting Russia
Civilian-based resistance in Ukraine began in the first hours of Russia's 2022 invasion. Civilians' actions have potential value in helping ensure victory by regaining territorial integrity and maintaining political sovereignty. And this war offers insight into what civilian contributions in future wars could look like.
Aug 15, 2023

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Commentary
The View from Ground Zero: Is America Safer?
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Sep 12, 2004
Commentary
Mao as Guide to Fight in Iraq
And strange as it may seem, a look at the thoughts of Chairman Mao on battling an occupying army from 66 years ago may help us make some educated guesses about the challenges facing the United States and the next government of Iraq.
Jan 4, 2004
Commercial Book
The Dynamics of Coercion: American Foreign Policy and the Limits of Military Might
Despite the lopsided U.S. edge in raw power, regional foes persist in defying the threats and ultimatums brought by the United States and its allies. This book examines why some attempts to strong-arm an adversary work while others do not.
Jan 1, 2002
Commentary
Violence Unraveling the Fabric of Society
Threats to democracy and stability in the Andean region of South America could confront the United States with its most serious security crisis in this hemisphere since the Central American wars of the 1980s.
Jun 17, 2001
Commentary
A Confounding, Complex Tragedy
Without external assistance, Colombia cannot defeat the guerrilla-gangster Minotaur that consumes it. It is in our national interest to help. At the same time, it is necessary that we fully comprehend the harsh realities we and our Colombian allies face.
Jun 17, 2001
Report
The Centennial Air Force: The Future of Air Power at the Air Force's 100th Birthday
The authors imagine that in the year 2047, the U.S. Air Force will be the service of choice for attacking and defending against asymmetric warfare and near-peer competitors.
Jan 1, 2001
Report
Commando Raids: 1946-1983
This Note assesses the effectiveness of a selected sample of raids executed by small commando and commando-type forces in response to terrorist threats or attacks. One hundred raids by irregular forces (guerrilla groups, terrorist organizations, and ...
Jan 1, 1985
Report
Colombia's Bold Gamble for Peace
Colombia's recent rash of kidnappings and terrorism has given rise to government efforts to put an end to the guerrilla warfare and political violence that have plagued the country for twenty years.
Dec 31, 1984
Report
The Bridge between Generations in Indonesian Military Politics.
A discussion of the Indonesian officer corps. A new generation lacking experience of guerrilla warfare against the Dutch but with more professional training will soon be in command. They absorbed the army doctrine with its populist emphasis on terr...
Jan 1, 1976
Report
Soldiers Versus Gunmen: The Challenge of Urban Guerrilla Warfare
In the late 1960s, the world's revolutionaries moved from rural to urban guerrilla warfare. How have they fared in the first three years of the decade?
Jan 1, 1974
Report
The Five Stages of Urban Guerrilla Warfare: Challenge of the 1970s
Guerrilla strategy began in the country, but has moved to the city. To a degree, the urbanization of guerrilla warfare signals its failure in the countryside.
Jan 1, 1971
People
Rick Brennan, Jr.
People
Raphael S. Cohen
People
Daria Goriacheva
People
Erik E. Mueller
People
Jan Osburg
People
Eric Robinson
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Christopher Paul
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Stephanie Pezard
People
Nolan Yager

RAND Topic:
Asymmetric Warfare

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Eric Robinson

Acting Associate Director, International Security and Defense Policy Program

Eric Robinson (he/him) is an acting associate director of the International Security and Defense Policy (ISDP) Program, part of the RAND National Security Research Division, and a senior research programmer and analyst at RAND based in Washington, D.C. His research focuses primarily on special…

Daria Goriacheva

Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School, and Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Daria Goriacheva is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a doctoral candidate in the Research, Analysis, and Design stream at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her research interests encompass the realms of security and defense, spanning cross-domain deterrence, hybrid warfare, influence…

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