William R. Sutton

From Gaza to the Peloponnessian War: Maritime Irregular Warfare William R. Sutton

Maritime irregular warfare (MIW) has been around since the dawn of sea power. While conventional naval warfare holds the premier position in naval affairs, MIW constitutes a less understood but equally important other tradition that merits closer attention. History demonstrates a link between the evolution of regular naval warfare and its irregular counterpart. when fully understood and correctly utilized, MIW actions have proven extremely effective at providing unconventional solutions to complex military problems. Consistently, MIW forces have powerfully affected the outcomes of conflict both at sea and on land. Through the skillful employment of MIW, this long historical pattern can continue to affect conflicts of the 21st century. In an era of rapid change, the ability to clearly identify and understand emerging trends in conflict and military affairs is an essential element in assessing MIW's future. As conventional warfare begins to realign for future threats, practitioners of MIW need to begin thinking proactively about how MIW can stay relevant and the concerted actions that need to be taken in order to fit into the future of warfare. This thesis is an attempt to take a first glimpse of MIW's future.