Life in the “Gray Zone”: observations for contemporary strategists |
| |
Authors: | James J Wirtz |
| |
Institution: | Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA |
| |
Abstract: | The term “Gray Zone” is gaining in popularity as a way of describing contemporary security challenges. This article describes the “short-of-war” strategies – the fait accompli, proxy warfare, and the exploitation of ambiguous deterrence situations, i.e. “salami tactics” – that are captured by the term and offers several explanations for why state and non-state actors are drawn to these strategies. The analysis highlights why defense postures based on deterrence are especially vulnerable to the short-of-war strategies that populate the “Gray Zone.” The article concludes by suggesting how defense officials might adapt defense policies to life in the “Gray Zone.” |
| |
Keywords: | Gray Zone fait accompli proxy warfare hybrid warfare salami tactics deterrence failure Crimea cyber warfare |
|
|