In such cases, the unconventional warfare effort transitions to foreign internal defense at some point. Conventional forces have Unconventional Warfare Defined: Unconventional warfare is a frequently misunderstood and often maligned form of warfare. Unconventional Warfare is more like a game of dungeons and dragons. There are second and third hand effects from every decision made. When unconventional warfare ends in overthrow of a state or liberation of occupied territory and leads to a new government, Phase VII will include those activities contributing to the promotion of the new government’s legitimacy. Through the contemporary example of Russia in Syria, Dr Miron surmised that when considering the future of unconventional warfare, it will be more advantageous to consider the adversary than the battlespace. It has many more possible outcomes in which to plan for and negotiate. Examples It is often portrayed as U.S. commandos running around the jungle and blowing up bridges, secret missions to assassinate uncooperative foreign leaders, or U.S. support to repressive regimes for neo-colonial ends. This change in mindset from a defined battlespace will allow practitioners and experts to quickly adapt to the newest threat as it arises. Unconventional warfare terminology This so-called hybrid warfare is embraced by states and non-state actors alike, as seen in Russia’s use of irregular tactics to destabilize its neighbors. “Unconventional warfare,” long a core mission of U.S. special operations forces, represents a bureaucratic albatross hanging about the neck of the U.S. Special Operations Command. It operates on a broad spectrum and resolution typically takes time. Unconventional warfare is usually fought on the ground with at least one side not in uniform, usually against forces of the established government. Unconventional warfare, on the other hand, uses unconventional weapons, targets the civilian population as well as the armed forces, and specializes in unconventional tactics. Chapter 1 1-2 TC 18-01 30 November 2010 Figure 1-1. In modern warfare, the lines between regular, conventional and irregular, unconventional warfare are increasingly blurred. It is an attempt to overthrow a government, or to replace in it some part of the country. For example, the United States entered irregular wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq unprepared to conduct the major counterinsurgency (COIN) ... and preparations for unconventional warfare. Conventional forces have executed, can execute, and even lead most IW missions. Appendix B gives an example of an SF area assessment, Appendix C contains a sample program of instruction for resistance forces, and Appendix D details SF caching. 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