Chapter 19. Asymmetrical Warfare And Modern Digital Media: An Old Concept Changed By New Technology?

Abstract

Asymmetry, asymmetrical warfare, conflicts, approaches and threats appear continually within contemporary military, defence and security analyses. The main thesis, exposed in this chapter, refers digital media influencing the contemporary asymmetrical warfare. It presents the recent asymmetrical warfare definitions and concepts, as well as strategic and analytical framework. The chapter includes characteristics of asymmetrical warfare. It discusses the digital media usage by Iraqi rebellions 20032006, which should verify the thesis, the recent asymmetrical warfare has a long (conceptual) tradition, but on the other hand its presence in publics has been completely changed by modern mass media. Definitions of asymmetric warfare are numerous, and even though they are for the most part Western-dominated, certain other definitions must also be considered. The effects that asymmetrical warfare cause should not be under estimated effects which are connected to the use of digital media. Keywords: asymmetrical warfare; digital media; Iraqi rebellions