The generations of warfare are:
* 1st Generation: tactics of
line and column; which developed in the age of the smoothbore musket.
* 2nd Generation: tactics of linear
fire and movement, with reliance on indirect
fire.
* 3rd Generation: tactics of infiltration to bypass and collapse the enemy's combat forces rather than seeking to close with and destroy them; and defense in depth.
Fourth Generation Warfare is asymmetricall warfare which uses traditionally non-military means to achieve military objectives.
Common types of Fourth Generation Warfare are
1. Propaganda or mass media manipulation e.g. Pallywood
2. Economic or financial warfare e.g. 1970's Arab
oil embargo, sanctions, attempting to weaken a countrie's currency.
3. Lawfare e.g. international "law"
4. Cyber warfare e.g. Hacking an enemy's
computer networks