Files
Download Full Text (111 KB)
Description
Irregular warfare (IW) is evolving in response to advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. This commentary is about how IW should no longer be understood solely as violent conflict between state and non-state actors, but as a broader spectrum of kinetic and non-kinetic activities operating across cognitive, informational, cyber, and sociopolitical domains. AI is amplifying influence operations, disinformation campaigns, cyber activities, and cognitive targeting by increasing their speed, scale, accessibility, and deniability. AI-enabled irregular warfare can also degrade public trust, weaken decision-making, and undermine military readiness and allied cohesion. There is a need for updated definitions, clearer strategic frameworks, and improved preparedness as the joint force confronts increasingly ambiguous and technologically enabled threats.
Document Type
Article
Topic(s)
Strategic Competition, Emerging Science and Technologies, Information Operations
Publication Date
5-5-2026
Keywords
Irregular warfare, artificial intelligence, AI-enabled warfare, cognitive warfare, information operations, influence operations, disinformation, hybrid warfare, non-kinetic warfare, cyber operations, strategic competition, gray zone conflict, cognitive security, national security, operational readiness, NATO, deepfakes, emerging technologies, military strategy, decision-making
Author ORCID Identifier
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Jocelyn and Giordano, James, "Irregular Warfare, Part One: Updating the Term and the Toolkit" (2026). Strategic Insights. 59.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-insights/59