CDSn4001:
Conflict
Analysis
Asymmetric conflicts:
rebellion and insurgency
November 22, 2022
Miriam Matejova, PhD
Agenda
• What makes a conflict asymmetric?
• Why doesn’t a state easily win against
an insurgency?
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 asymmetric 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?
• How are insurgencies different in democratic
vs non-democratic states?
• Remember…can we apply the concepts from
studying interstate wars to intrastate
conflicts? Why/why not?