The Next Asymmetric War Will Be Engineered
Asymmetric conflict has traditionally been associated with guerrillas, insurgents, and terrorists using mobility, surprise, and willingness to take punishment to offset the strong.
However, a new age of synthetic asymmetry is emerging, driven by the convergence of technologies such as code, data, algorithms, satellites, and biotech labs.
The weak have traditionally offset the strong with mobility, surprise, and a willingness to take punishment.
This new form of asymmetry is engineered, allowing small actors to cause large-scale disruption, and is distinct from past asymmetry which grew organically out of circumstance.
Author's summary: Asymmetric war is evolving into a synthetic form.