US raises status of ‘irregular warfare’

AFP
Thursday, December4, 2008

THE Pentagon has issued a directive putting the fight against terrorism and guerrilla warfare on the same footing as traditional warfare in terms of military planning and doctrine, US officials said today.

The directive was signed on December 1 by Deputy Defence Secretary Gordon England, who outlined roles and responsibilities for developing capabilities for fighting non-conventional threats.

“It is DoD policy to recognise that IW (irregular warfare) is as strategically important as traditional warfare,” the directive said.

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Under the directive, irregular warfare is defined as encompassing counter-terrorism operations, guerrilla warfare, foreign internal defence, counterinsurgency and stability operations.

It instructs the Defence Department to develop capabilities to: identify and prevent or defeat irregular threats from state and non-state actors; extend US reach into denied areas and uncertain environments by operating with and through indigenous foreign forces; train, advise and assist foreign security forces and partners; support a foreign government or population threatened by irregular adversaries; create a safe, secure environment in fragile states.

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