The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerrilla wins if he does not lose

The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerrilla wins if he does not lose

Henry Kissinger, a renowned diplomat and political scientist, is often associated with the quote, "The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerrilla wins if he does not lose." This statement encapsulates the essence of asymmetric warfare, a concept that Kissinger was well-versed in throughout his career.

Kissinger's understanding of this principle can be traced back to his experiences during the Vietnam War, where he served as National Security Advisor and later as Secretary of State. The conflict in Vietnam was a classic example of a conventional army, the United States, facing off against a guerrilla force, the Viet Cong. Despite the overwhelming military superiority of the US, the guerrillas were able to wage a protracted and ultimately successful campaign against them.