Yet it is a term more readily heard in the media nowadays promulgated by the nation's defense planners and used quite frequently in reference to the war on terrorism.
Asymmetric warfare is simply the application of unique, creative, and unconventional methods with the intention to defeat a numerically and technologically superior enemy. It takes many forms including combat and psychological warfare.
The 9/11 attacks and bombing of the U.S.S Cole were examples of applying this type of warfare as were the recent verbal assaults by Venezuelan and Iranian presidents upon the United States at the UN.
Although asymmetric warfare has its roots as far back as the Trojan Campaign in Ancient Greece and Hannibal's assault on Rome, it was Americans that brought it to a fine art form, if not a pure science.
Some have said that asymmetric warfare is as American as apple pie.
Very few military historians would dispute that the Continental Army of the Revolutionary War and the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War fostered forms of asymmetric war at its best.
The guerrillas Francis Marion (the Swamp Fox) and Daniel Morgan (hero of the Cow Pens) drove General Cornwallis from South Carolina. On a much grander scale General Washington's victory at Trenton was a fine example of this type of warfare. So was Stonewall Jackson's Valley of Virginia Campaign and John Mosby's exploits during the Civil War, not to mention Douglas MacArthur's island hopping campaign during World War II.
A major part of the new Rumsfeld Doctrine embraces the concept of asymmetric warfare to such a high degree that it is changing American's global defense posture on a radical basis. It is no secret that top brass within the Pentagon and the Defense Secretary are locking horns over the issue on a very frequent basis, not to mention a horde of retired generals raising alarm bells.
Our leaders tell us that asymmetric warfare is a new and unproven field of military endeavor used by terrorist cells and terrorist nations bent on our destruction. That we don't fully understand and grasp the nature of the Islamic fundamentalist mind -- and have never faced such a determined or fanatical foe.
Someone needs to tell that to the boys who served on those aircraft carriers in the South Pacific during World War II. Those Japanese kamikazes and kaitens were just as dedicated to their Emperor as Islamic fundamentalists are to Allah.
We could not stop those crazed Japanese willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of their cause and neither can we stop the dedicated Islamic radicals bent on attacking our homeland.
The difference today is there's no Harry Truman at the helm.
That simple farmer from Missouri knew the head of the octopus had to be crushed in order to stop the carnage being inflicted in the central and south pacific theaters of war.
So he did --- very quickly and effectively.
And this begs the question.
How long are American leaders going to allow terrorist oriented nation-states to finance and use asymmetric warfare --- through their proxy organizations such as al-Qaeda --- against the United States and continue to divert attention from the more important strategic issues at hand, such as the growing Chinese threat?
Some say it is a diversionary ploy designed to shift the public's attention away from other pressing issues such the environment, trade concerns, job losses, and income stagnation.
The Bush Administration wants us to believe the war on terror is a multi-decade long struggle requiring a dangerous redeployment of American defense resources away from cold war postures.
U.S. leadership has an intimate understanding of asymmetric warfare.
If it does not interdict the use of this lethal form of tactical warfare against America's vital interest immediately, using whatever means necessary at its disposal --- however ugly --- it will eventually have a very negative effect on both the economic and military institutions of the nation and a profound impact on its political stability as well.
And maybe that's what our enemies want after all. And then the octopuses of the world will eat that apple pie for desert.
Blackberry And Apple Pie
Somebody probably gave you a suggestion for a heartburn remedy at a time when you thought acid reflux was just an annoyance. But now that you see that it's not going to go away, maybe it's time to do something about these heartburn symptoms. Here's a look at a very special food that can make it go away.
No relief treatment works for all, but there are good, natural ways to help your stomach out of the jam. Many, besides apples, can be found right in your kitchen.
Apples - have long been acclaimed for their health benefits. Dark colored fruits are known for their beneficial flavanoids and phenolic acids - especially the skin. Apples are rich in vitamins C and B6 as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium. This mineral loaded fruit is the natural way to reduce stomach acid.
Apple juice, especially the cloudy kind, contains concentrates of these, health boosting benefits. All this adds up to a fruit that has a lot going for it: The potential to ward off inflammation, harmful bacteria, like those that thrive in a high acid environment, tumors and other such things as neurological problems.
There is something to be learned here. When you see the value in just one apple, imagine all the health a bowl of mixed fruit can bring. And there are others just as important, like bananas, papayas and kiwis. You can't help wonder at the miracle of food. And why we don't use it more to our advantage, especially when dealing with a food related problem like acid reflux.
It's possible that something as simple as a piece of fruit can balance your body chemistry, helping it to ward of heartburn and other problems. But the issue here is the cause of your heartburn. It may be something fixed simply with a bowl of fruit. It may take more effort on your part to find a solution. Start by making a plan for a personal treatment that eliminates heartburn before there is damage.
If you want to write a heartburn free chapter to your life, it should include these things. 1) A balanced diet that includes foods from the USDA Food Pyramid. 2) A heartburn treatment that is made up of natural ingredients that are absorbed by the body the same way healthy food is.
The real success is acting on a plan that cures heartburn quickly and naturally. The sooner the better. You can do this by identifying the cause and adding or reducing foods that affect the stomach's efficiency. Take the time now to put this in motion. Don't be afraid to start life a new.
Both Jim Silvester & Gilbey Scott are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jim Silvester has sinced written about articles on various topics from Politics, Cooking Tips and Politics. James Silvester is a small biz author and consultant. He has written 4 best selling entrepreneurial books with a 5th on the way and has appeared on many radio and TV shows including MSNBC.The books have forewords contributed by the Virginia Governor and a. Jim Silvester's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Applying For Short Term Disability So are short term wrinkle solutions the way to go? If you want to avoid the pain that is often endured with other costly treatments and the long recovery time, then the answer is yes
