This book provides an important new perspective on the role of non-state (armed) actors in war.
The first distinguishing feature of the work is that it is multidisciplinary. It brings together perspectives from different fields that look at the same phenomenon. Various chapters combine different perspectives and provide an interdisciplinary approach to a particular topic. Another distinguishing feature is that the work is highly topical, taking into account the latest developments. For example, various chapters incorporate the latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in their analysis. Another chapter takes stock of the latest developments concerning (weaponry used by) the Houthi in Yemen. A third distinguishing feature of the work is the proximity to practice of the authors. They are either serving officers, a number of whom have field experience, or civilian academics with policy experience or extensive service teaching experience. This book provides a critical assessment of the broadly held view that states ‘own’ war. The central theme of the book is that the persistence of non-state actors in historical as well as contemporary conflicts challenges this narrative. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to address a host of questions concerning the role of non-state actors, both armed and unarmed, in conflict and their relationship with states. Recurring themes are issues of loyalty, accountability and effectiveness. Part I is subdivided into two separate themes. The first is the use of civilians in war from a legal and military operational perspective, the second the question of loyalty and accountability of the private sector. Part II considers the cases of several non-state armed actors from the past and the present, showcasing the variety of actors and roles they play. Together, the contributions to this book provide an important new perspective on the role of non-state (armed) actors in war.
List of abbreviations;
List of Illustrations, Maps and Tables;
Introduction Jan Willem Honig, Monica den Boer, Marten Zwanenburg & Joep
Aarts;
Part I: Categories of Non-State (Armed) Actors in War;
1. The Strategic Cohesion of Organised Armed Groups: Towards a Historically
Informed Socio-Normative Approach Jan Willem Honig;
2. The Diversification of Civilian Agency in Armed Conflict and the
Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law Arjen Vermeer
& Steven van der Put;
3. The Resistance Operating Concept: Towards Modern-Day People's War
Martijn Rouvroije;
4. Fuelling Instability in the Ukraine War: The Questionable Loyalty of
Non-State Actors in Cyberspace Peter Pijpers & Lotte Nietzman;
5. How Iranian Weapons' Technology Increases Ansar Allah's Reach Ralph
Savelsberg, Mark Voskuijl & Frederik Mertens;
6. Information and Communications Technology Companies on the Battlefield:
Explanations and Implications Eric Pouw, Paul Ducheine, Peter Pijpers &
Kraesten Arnold;
7. Private Non-State Actors as Norm-Keepers in Armed Conflict: The Role of
the Private Sector in Ensuring Compliance with International Humanitarian Law
Marten Zwanenburg;
8. Navigating Non-State Dynamics: A Literature Review on Private Military
and Security Companies Erik de Waard, Bart Wielders, Michael Rustenhoven &
Chiel Conijn;
9. Expansion or Restraint? China's Use of Private Military and Security
Companies along the 'Belt and Road Initiative' in Asia and Africa Thijs
Cremers & Maarten Rothman;
10. Can the Impact of Non-State Actors Be Predicted? Impressions of
Contemporary Approaches to War Forecasting Hans Melissen & Peter Schuur;
Part II: Cases of Non-State (Armed) Actors in War;
11. Fighting or Writing? Dutch Volunteers in the Anglo-Boer War: Motivation,
Loyalty, Effectiveness and Self-Representation Henk de Jong;
12. The Pope's Divisions on the March: Soft Power and the Catholic Church
Theo Brinkel;
13. The Battle for Recognition: National Liberation Movements and Military
Assistance during the Decolonization of Southern Africa Tycho van der
Hoog;
14. Fighting the State: The Comparative Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Tamil Tigers in Their Separatist Struggle against the Sri Lankan Government
Georg Frerks;
15. Cohesion and Conflict Outcomes in Nagorno-Karabakh Feike Fliervoet;
General Bibliography
Monica den Boer is professor of Military Policing Operations at the Netherlands Defence Academy and professor by special appointment in Policing Studies at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs at Leiden University.
Jan Willem Honig was professor of International Security Studies at the Netherlands Defence Academy until his retirement in 2025. Prior to this, he taught for many years in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, where he remains a visiting professor.
Marten Zwanenburg is professor of Military Law in the Faculty of Military Sciences of the Netherlands Defence Academy and at the University of Amsterdam.
Joep Aarts is a captain in the Royal Netherlands Army Legal Service and currently posted as a lecturer in military law at the Netherlands Defence Academy.
