The persistence of asymmetrical warfare

Still standing: A photo taken in Kyiv last month showing a work of world-renowned British graffiti artist Banksy. Ukraine’s capital was supposed to fall within weeks of the February 2022 invasion but the much smaller country has managed to fend off Russia’s hugely larger forces by using guerilla tactics, including drone technology. — Reuters

THOMAS Edward Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, left an enduring legacy through his mastery of guerrilla tactics during World War I. Today, his philosophy of using a smaller force to neutralise a superior adversary through unconventional means has evolved into what many define as asymmetrical warfare.

This strategy, which prioritises the crippling of an enemy’s infrastructure, is being mirrored with striking precision in contemporary conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest conflict in the Middle East following US and Israel strikes against Iran. As we observe these modern shadows of Lawrence’s desert campaigns, several critical lessons emerge regarding the future of global conflict.