Fourth Generation Warfare Theory

The Changing Face of War: Into the Fourth Generation by William S. Lind, Colonel Keith Nightengale (USA), Captain John F. Schmitt (USMC), Colonel Joseph W. Sutton (USA), and Lieutenant Colonel Gary I. Wilson (USMCR) If we look at the development of warfare in the modern era, we see three distinct generations. In the United States, the Army and the Marine Corps are now coming to grips with the change to the third generation. This transition is entirely for the good. However, third generation warfare was conceptually developed by the German offensive in the spring of 1918. It is now more than 70 years old. This suggests some interesting questions: Is it not about time for a fourth generation to appear? <More>

Fourth Generation Warfare: Another Look by William S. Lind, Maj John F. Schmitt, and Col Gary I. Wilson Events of the past 5 years have not greatly altered the views of the 'fourth generationists.' They continue to believe that nontrinitarian, cultural conflict, outside the nation-state framework, will be the dominant form of war. In 1989, we offered some thoughts about where the art of war might be going. We suggested that modern war might be on the verge of a "fourth generation," a successor to "third generation" maneuver warfare. <More>

The Evolution of War: The Fourth Generation by LtCol Thomas X. Hammes In this article, I intend to show that the fourth generation of war has, in fact, evolved in conjunction with the political, economic, and societal changes that are modifying our world. Further, like its predecessors, the fourth generation of war did not arrive on the scene as a fully developed instrument but evolved (and is continuing to evolve) at widely scattered locations. Finally, like its predecessors, fourth generation tactics will not be used in isolation but mixed with those of earlier generations. <More>

The Problem with Fourth-Generation War by Antulio J. Echevarria II - Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War Although the idea of 4GW emerged in the late 1980s, it has gained considerable popularity of late, particularly as a result of recent twists in the war in Iraq. It is worth a moment, therefore, to consider the theory’s basic premises. <More>

Non-Trinitarian Warfare Theory

The Fate of the State by Martin van Creveld

Insurgency

Street Gangs and the New Urban Insurgency by Max G. Manwaring

Iraqi Insurgency

Guerrilla Warfare

GUERRILLA WARFARE by D.M. Gould

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS IN GUERRILLA OPERATIONS by Tayac N.

Distinguishing Terrorism From Guerrilla Warfare by Allen Finn

Fourth Epoch War Theory

Epochal Change: War Over Social and Political Organization by Robert J. Bunker

Fourth Epoch War References by Dr. Robert Bunker <More>