Unconventional warfare (UW) is a form of irregular military tactics which are used to bypass the enemy’s strengths, rather than engaging with it directly. UW focuses on exploiting the weaknesses of the enemy, in order to overcome them with minimal resources and cost. It typically relies on forming alliances with the local population and using unconventional methods, such as sabotage, infiltration, guerilla warfare, psychological warfare, and special operations forces. UW looks to capitalize on advantages granted by using asymmetrical methods, with the aim of destabilizing an oppressive regime or regime control.

See also: game theory, feedback loop, complex system, low-hanging fruit, simulated thinking