The Change of US Irregular Warfare Approach after the 9/11 Terror Attacks Cover Image

11 Eylül Terör Saldırıları Sonrası ABD Gayrinizami Harp Anlayışının Değişimi
The Change of US Irregular Warfare Approach after the 9/11 Terror Attacks

Author(s): Emrah Özdemir
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military policy
Published by: Atatürk Stratejik Araştırmalar Enstitüsü
Keywords: Irregular Warfare; Conventional Warfare; Security Approaches; USA; Hybrid Warfare;

Summary/Abstract: The experience of the US armed forces in terms of irregular warfare goes back to the 18th century. However, periodically, traumatic events such as the Vietnam War led to such valuable experiences to be ignored and to approach irregular war with caution. In this study, how the US Army’s irregular war doctrine was shaped after the September 11 attacks and what it means in current strategic thinking is presented. Understanding the importance of irregular warfare in the changing security concept of the USA in the light of official documents, military manuals and discussions in the literature constitutes the main purpose of the study. In this sense, the method of the study was determined as qualitative document analysis. At the end of the study, it is argued that a period, in which conventional armies focus on irregular approaches to achieve political goals, and the difference between the conventional and the irregular is blurred, is experienced.

  • Issue Year: 17/2021
  • Issue No: 39
  • Page Range: 563-601
  • Page Count: 39
  • Language: Turkish