ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT L#5

ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT

Low, Medium and High Intensity Conflicts

The intensity of a conflict between two parties can be seen as a function of both the level of attraction each of the parties have around a given issue or context, and the level of agreement the parties have about how to look at and make meaning about the issue or event.  The greater the level of attachment to the circumstance and the greater the differences in perspective held by each party, the greater will be the felt intensity of the conflict.

LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT

Low-Intensity Conflict -- is a limited politico-military struggle to achieve political, social, economic, military, or psychological objectives. It is often extended and ranges from diplomatic, economic, and psycho-social pressures through terrorism and insurgency. Low-Intensity Conflict is generally confined to a geographic area and is often characterized by constraints on the weaponry, tactics, and level of violence. Low-intensity operations consist of the deployment and use of soldiers in situations other than war. For states, these operations are usually conducted against non-state actors and are given terms like counter-insurgency and peacekeeping.

Implementation of the Low-Intensity Conflict

Weapons

As the name suggests, in comparison with conventional operations the armed forces involved operate at a greatly reduced tempo, with less soldiers, a reduced range of tactical equipment and limited scope to operate in a military manner. For example, the use of air power, pivotal in modern warfare, is often lowered to transport and surveillance. Artillery is often not used when Low-Intensity Conflict occurs in populated areas. The role of the armed forces is dependent on the stage of the insurgency, whether it has progressed to armed struggle or is in an early stage of propaganda and protests.

Intelligence

Intelligence gathering is essential to an efficient basis of Low-Intensity Conflict operation instructions. Electronic and signal gathering intelligence, proves largely ineffective against low intensity opponents.

Stages

In the first stages of insurgency, much of an army's work is "soft" - working in conjunction with civil authorities in psychological operations, propaganda, counter-organizing, so-called "hearts and minds." If the conflict progresses, possibly into armed clashes, the role develops with the addition of the identification and removal of the armed groups - but again, at a low level, in communities rather than throughout entire cities.

MID-INTENSITY CONFLICT

Mid-Intensity Conflict -- war between two or more nations and their respective allies, if any, in which the belligerents employ the most modern technology and all resources in intelligence; mobility; firepower (excluding nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons); command, control, and communications; and service support for limited objectives under definitive policy limitations as to the extent of destructive power that can be employed or the extent of geographic area that might be involved.

HIGH-INTENSITY CONFLICT

High-Intensity Conflict -- war between two or more nations and their respective allies, if any, in which the belligerents employ the most modern technology and all resources in intelligence; mobility; firepower (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons); command, control and communications; and service support.