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Preface and Acknowledgments The present-day global security situation is characterized by an uncon- ventional spectrum of conflict that no one from the traditional Westpha- lian school of thought would recognize or be comfortable with. In addition to conventional attrition war conducted by easily recognized military forces of another nation-state, we see something considerably more complex and ambiguous. Regardless of any given politically correct term for war or conflict, all state and nonstate actors involved in any kind of conflict are engaged in one common political act—that is, war. The intent is to control and/or radically change a government and to institu- tionalize the acceptance of an aggressor’s objectives and values. It is important to remember that these “new” actors and “new” types of battle- fields are being ignored or, alternatively, they are considered too compli- cated and ambiguous to deal with. Yet, they seriously threaten the security, stability, development, and well-being of all parts of the global community. Thus, the purpose of this book is to draw from the lessons of history to better prepare today’s civilian, military, opinion leaders, and voters for the unconventional and asymmetric (i.e., hybrid) warfare challenges that are increasingly faced by the United States and the rest of the global community. Each case has much to teach. Contemporary conflict is not a “business as usual” ad hoc exercise. It is a deadly and long-term exercise in survival. And, importantly, this is a beginning point from which civilian and military leaders, policy makers, opinion makers, and responsible citizens might gen- erate the broad strategic vision necessary to win a war—not just the battles but the war itself.