Low-intensity conflict
- Small war
- Low-level conflict
- Police operation
- LIC
- Limited war
Low-intensity conflict (wikipedia.org)
Low-intensity conflict
Description
A low-intensity conflict (LIC) is a military conflict, usually localised, between two or more state or non-state groups which is below the intensity of conventional war. It involves the state's use of military forces applied selectively and with restraint to enforce compliance with its policies or objectives.
The term can be used to describe conflicts where at least one or both of the opposing parties operate along such lines.
Source: Wikipedia
Claim
If engaging in a limited war results in a series of battle field defeats strong pressure would come to bear on the government to escalate the level of conflict. This could not only lead to a major long term commitment to a war like the USA in Vietnam or the USSR in Afghanistan. In pro-insurgency campaigns may provoke major attacks on countries providing sanctuary for insurgents also escalating the war.