US Department of Defense Expands Irregular Warfare Scope to Conventional Forces

The US Department of Defense has issued a new directive broadening the responsibility of conventional forces in irregular warfare. The instruction updates the definition of irregular warfare to include conventional forces and aims to leverage their capabilities to counter adversaries. The move may signal a shift in the US military’s approach to competition and conflict, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. The directive was signed by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, and its implementation will be closely watched by experts and policymakers.