by Naval Postgraduate School (Author)

Given the current evolution of warfare, the rise of non-state actors and rogue states, in conjunction with the wide availability and relative parity of information technology, the U.S. will need to examine new and innovative ways to modernize its irregular warfare fighting capabilities. Within its irregular warfare capabilities, the U.S. will need to identify effective doctrine and strategies to leverage its tactical and technical advantages in the conduct of unconventional warfare. Rather than take a traditional approach to achieve unconventional warfare objectives via conventional means, this thesis proposes that unconventional warfare can evolve to achieve greater successes using the process of unconventional cyber warfare.