Winning Without Fighting: Irregular Warfare and Strategic Competition in the 21st Century

Authors

Joseph J. Collins, National War College

Abstract

Winning Without Fighting offers a timely and compelling framework for strategic competition in the modern era, especially against authoritarian states like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Written by four seasoned scholar-practitioners, the book redefines irregular warfare as a comprehensive, non-violent competition for influence and legitimacy. Emphasizing tools like information, diplomacy, economics, and national resilience, the authors argue that the United States must evolve its strategic culture—rooted in binary war/peace thinking—toward one that embraces continuous, multi-domain competition. Drawing on Cold War lessons, they advocate for renewed investments in statecraft capabilities such as regional expertise and alliance coordination. The book concludes with actionable recommendations to prioritize non-military instruments, enhance resilience, and reshape American policy thinking to compete more effectively in today’s gray zone. The review commends the book as a critical contribution to understanding and succeeding in 21st-century strategic competition.

Recommended Citation

Joseph J. Collins, "Winning Without Fighting: Irregular Warfare and Strategic Competition in the 21st Century," Joint Force Quarterly 117 (2nd Quarter 2025), 92-93, https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/joint-force-quarterly/vol117/iss2/13.