A resulted loss of monopoly of states on mass organized violence and resurgence of the specific category from the above mentioned pool – Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA).3.Emergence of a multiple and diverse pool of violent and defiant Non-State Actors (NSA), empowered by the globalization impact and diminishing role of states, and enabled by radical ideologies, access to finance and open-source technologies.Gradual diminishing of the Westphalian system2 and centrality of nation-states, correlated with a declining threshold of national sovereignty, resulted, beyond other reasons, from the rising bar of international law, spread of common values and norms of international behavior.

Overwhelming impact of ongoing globalization, both positive and negative, associated with the deformation of notion of geography and distance due to information and transportation revolution(s), and growing influence of technology.

High fragmentation, fluidity and unpredictability patterns of global dynamics.

The major determinants of this process are as follows: Since the late 1980s–early 1990s, when the bipolar system of the world ceased to exist, the global landscape has been continuously evolving. The second part is focused on different practical aspects of AW, as well as responses of the state military systems on the challenges posed by it.

The first part identifies the problem by providing an outlook at the strategic landscape, rise of violent nonstate actors and defines asymmetric warfare. This Special Report in two parts is addressing different aspects of this issue. Asymmetric Warfare (AW) is one of the most serious challenges that states and their militaries are facing in the contemporary complex, rapidly evolving and the not too predictable global security environment.

Non violent solutions to armed conflict