Editing Asymmetric warfare (section)

==Role of civilians==
Civilians can play a vital role in determining the outcome of an asymmetric war. In such conflicts, when it is easy for insurgents to assimilate into the population quickly after an attack, tips on the timing or location of insurgent activity can severely undermine the resistance. An information-central framework,<ref name="Berman">{{Cite journal|title=The Empiricists' Insurgency|journal = Annual Review of Political Science|volume = 18|pages=443–464|last1=Berman|first1=Eli|last2=Matanock|first2=Aila M.|date=2015-05-11|language=en|doi=10.1146/annurev-polisci-082312-124553|doi-access=free}}</ref> in which civilians are seen primarily as sources of strategic information rather than resources, provides a paradigm to understand better the dynamics of such conflicts where civilian information-sharing is vital. The framework assumes that:
*The consequential action of [[non-combatant]]s (civilians) is information sharing rather than supplying resources, recruits, or shelter to combatants.
*Information can be shared anonymously without endangering the civilian who relays it.
Given the additional assumption that the larger or dominant force is the government, the framework suggests the following implications:
*Civilians receive services from government and rebel forces as an incentive to share valuable information.
*Rebel violence can be reduced if the government provides services.
*Provision of security and services are complementary in reducing violence.
*Civilian casualties reduce civilian support to the perpetrating group.
*Provision of information is strongly correlated with the level of anonymity that can be ensured.

A survey of the empirical literature on conflict,<ref name="Berman"/> does not provide conclusive evidence on the claims. But the framework gives a starting point to explore the role of civilian information sharing in asymmetric warfare.