This is THE topic in a weak force strong force conflict. There are many books written on the topic. Here is a brief recap. It will get more interesting towards the end.
gold standard. in reprint, demanded by us actions.
http://www.amazon.com/Counterinsurgency-Warfare-Practice-David-Galula/dp/0976738007This is not about drama, feelings, sides, or emotion. Strip the "we are special" mantra from your "side" and look at this for what it is. Land conflict.
The weak force (hamas, Iraqi fighters, Al q in Afghanistan) can not fight on parity with the strong force so it adopts tactics to reduce its exposure. Primary is support and cover from local population. This support is the center of gravity in insurgent war and is required for a weak force. If they loose it, they are done. They can exploit this relationship to the world and gain sympathy as a peoples force. They are the little man. This sets aside traditional rules, everything is a fighting position. Church, school, hospital.
The strong force must set balance its tactics to kill the enemy and not kill the population (in modern restricted war). This is done by restricting the level of violence used to the minimum required. IE not calling in radar counter battery on a mortar fired from a school. The mortar crew is gone on the minutes it takes to drop fire back.
The strong force must have a plan to deny the weak force support. They must turn the population. When that can not be done you end up with things like the war against Japan in 1945.
The media and images MUST be managed. Conflict in lebanon was a masterful work of the media by hezbolla.
This type of conflict is not like ww1, where people fought in trenches. This is going to take the lives of people who do not or can not clear the war zone.
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