What is a key characteristic of low-intensity conflict?

A key characteristic of low-intensity conflict is protracted struggles with limited military engagement. This type of conflict often occurs in situations where the violence is persistent, but the scale or intensity of military operations remains relatively low compared to high-intensity conflicts or conventional wars.

In low-intensity conflicts, the armed engagements are usually characterized by guerrilla warfare, insurgency, or terrorism, where combatants may avoid conventional battles and instead utilize asymmetric tactics. The ongoing nature of these conflicts can result in enduring instability and humanitarian crises, as they may last for years or even decades while involving limited troop deployments and resources.

By contrast, high levels of nuclear arsenal use and full-scale military mobilization are more indicative of high-intensity or conventional warfare, where large armed forces clash directly. Additionally, while economic warfare can play a role in various conflicts, it does not exclusively define low-intensity conflict, as that type of warfare could occur independently or alongside military actions.