THE FOURTH GENERATION WAR AND THE ASYMMETRIC THREAT

Abstract

Evolution is a constant in the activities of society and its institutions; Unfortunately, war is the activity that has recorded its presence in the world the longest, its development, in many cases, has been dizzying. The treaties of Osnabruck and Munster materialized the Westphalia Peace that ended the thirty-year war and led to the birth of the Nation-State and with it, the establishment of the forces that would guarantee its integrity and sovereignty. From 1648 to the present day, in many cases these forces, acting on behalf of the State to which they represent and manage the legitimate monopoly of force, have militarily confronted those who threaten their security or impede the attainment of their political purposes. Throughout this time four generations of war have been presented, each with its own characteristics. Fourth generation warfare gave rise to a new dimension on the battlefield facing an unconventional threat, an asymmetrical threat, which as any threat, is necessarily hybrid.