Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

A military tactic meaning "lightning war" involving fast, surprise attacks combining air and ground forces to quickly overwhelm enemies.

A strategy of armed revolution employing small, mobile units to challenge established regimes, used by Fidel Castro.

The use of small, mobile groups to fight larger traditional forces, enabling revolutionary success in Cuba.

A revolutionary strategy emphasizing small, fast-moving paramilitary groups as catalysts to ignite broader popular uprisings.

A strategy of armed resistance by small groups using mobility and surprise against larger forces.

Winston Churchill's strategic and rhetorical mobilization against Nazi Germany's rapid military offensives during World War II.

A strategy aimed at discouraging aggression by convincing an adversary that their attack will fail or have no benefit.

A strategy that prevents aggression by threatening credible and severe retaliation.

Ho Chi Minh’s strategy of mobilizing rural populations for prolonged guerrilla warfare against colonial and imperial forces.

A revolutionary military approach combining guerrilla tactics with mass political mobilization to gain popular support against colonial and imperial forces.

A revolutionary strategy emphasizing mobilizing rural peasants for protracted guerrilla warfare to overthrow existing regimes.

Mao Zedong’s strategy of prolonged rural guerrilla warfare aimed at encircling cities and winning popular support.

The use of force to prevent an imminent attack, justified before the attack actually occurs under international law.

Military attack launched to prevent an imminent threat from an adversary's offensive action.

A U.S. policy to transfer combat roles to South Vietnamese forces while gradually withdrawing American troops during the Vietnam War.