There has been a great deal of discussion over the past few years among defense officials regarding the likelihood that the United States military will face a multitude of asymmetric challenges in the 21st Century. Senior government officials, members of the academic community, and military leaders have warned us repeatedly about these threats and the possible consequences. When reviewing their statements and the available literature pertaining to asymmetric warfare, however, one gets the sense that this type of warfare is a new phenomenon. This perception is false. Weaker belligerents have used asymmetric methods, tactics, and techniques during conflicts with stronger or technologically superior enemies throughout recorded history. The critical question is whether U.S. military and government leaders are aware of the history of asymmetric warfare and are using that knowledge to adequately prepare our nation and soldiers, or to tailor our force structure, to successfully engage and defeat asymmetric enemies in future conflicts.
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