EVOLUTION AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE FOURTH GENERATION OF WARFARE

Abstract

Fourth generation warfare is a constant conflict, between war and peace, combatants and citizens. This conflict as an act of war was first established during the last two decades from XX th century from the United States. This generation of warfare is becoming popular due to Iraq war and terrorist attacks on a global scale. The scientific theory and later the models of practical implementation of the methods of the fourth generation of warfare, have transformed several times over the past century, with the main focus of scientific analysis of the transformation of this type of warfare being based on how this type of warfare affects the strategic and operational goals of the critical structure of the great powers: United States, China and Russia.
The history of conflicts and wars represents crucial cornerstone for defining strategic national and military documents. This document defines the following generations of warfare:
First generation of warfare was focused on using numerous army forces meaning this type of warfare basically involved the use of large military force or numerous armies. The next generation of war is dedicated to massive artillery systems than large, numbered Armies. Another warfare generation after the previous above was dedicated to maneuvers, which overall had improved the tactical performance and the efficiency of the battle forces. Finally, fourth warfare generation represents insurgency which uses all instruments of power: diplomacy, information, economy, combatants and advanced information technology which is tough mission for neutralizing this kind of warfare generation.
The fourth generation of warfare represent an “evolved form of insurgency”. In this generation of warfare, the distinction or difference between peace and war is almost non existent. Using unproportional warfare methods makes this type of conflict undefinable with unspecific front sides of the enemies. Theory of this warfare generation went through a second reincarnation when it was concluded that this type of warfare drastically deviates conventional wars, which were defined in previous generations of warfare.
The USA terrorist act from 2001, represent a cornerstone for further scientific research of this warfare generation, where methods achieved by "Al Qaeda" is a step closer for successful resistant to this kind of conflict. The paper aims to provide a historical retrospective of the development of the fourth generation of warfare and perspectives for its higher stage of development in the fifth generation of warfare.