TY  - CHAP
AB  - In asymmetrical wars the asymmetry does not refer to a quantitative difference in belligerants’ strength or power, but to the qualitative differences in means, behavioral standards, goals, and values of conflicting parties. In the asymmetrical conflicts it seems that war functions have changed.The purpose of this paper is to put in evidence the various expertises and skills that a soldier must have to operate in such a changed context.In order to reach this purpose, the diversity model has been applied to the new conflicts, as already used to analyze the difference between CROs and the traditional soldiers’ job. To these respect, the definition of the further evolution of the role of a soldier called upon to intervene in the new operational environments can be considered as a preliminary finding: such a soldier must always be flexible and able to operate in a Constabulary context, but with more points in common with the warrior ideal type than with the peacekeeper one. A soldier who has to be able to gear his action in terms not of “dissymmetry” but of asymmetry as defined above. This implies a perception of the qualitative as well as quantitative differences in their own characteristics and in those of the adversary. In particular behavioral style, values, and strategic culture. However, there is no question of a return to the past, but the latest evolution in the range of flexible soldier that is so important in the asymmetric conflicts.Practical implications of this analysis are bound to offer a deeper understanding of the events concerning asymmetrical conflicts, in the education as well as training of soldiers deployed in these kinds of conflict theaters.
VL  - 7
SN  - 978-1-8485-5122-0, 978-1-84855-123-7/1572-8323
DO  - 10.1016/S1572-8323(08)07003-3
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(08)07003-3
AU  - Olivetta Eraldo
ED  - Giuseppe Caforio
ED  - Gerhard Kümmel
ED  - Bandana Purkayastha
PY  - 2008
Y1  - 2008/01/01
TI  - Military Organization and Asymmetric Conflicts: Changing Approach
T2  - Armed Forces and Conflict Resolution: Sociological Perspectives
T3  - Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 25
EP  - 48
Y2  - 2024/04/23
ER  -