CDSn4001:
Conflict
Analysis
Asymmetric conflicts:
rebellion and insurgency
December 15, 2020
Miriam Matejova
Agenda
• What makes a conflict asymmetric?
• Why doesn’t a state easily win against
an insurgency?
• Other issues?
Asymmetric conflict
• Terrorist attacks? Rebel attacks? Computer
viruses?
• Antagonists not fighting “fair”?
• Regular wars with parties possessing unequal
resources?
• An umbrella term for warfare between parties
with legal status differences, power
imbalances, or contrasting strategies
Asymmetric conflict: legal status
• State actors (recognized as sovereign and possess
centralized armed forces) vs. non-state actors (lack
international recognition and operate under a more
diffuse chain of command)
Asymmetric conflict: resources
• The weaker actor lacks sophisticated
armaments (e.g., aircraft carriers, longrange
missiles) as well as manpower,
economic resources, technological
competence, or other assets to confront
the stronger actor on equal terms.
Asymmetric conflict: strategies
• Direct strategies targeting opponent’s fighting
capabilities vs. indirect strategies targeting
opponent’s willingness to fight
Discussion
• What makes rebel groups prevail?
• Remember…can we apply the concepts from
studying interstate wars to intrastate
conflicts? Why/why not?