Samenvatting

General view on the political framework of post-modern military operations. Since the American president G.W. Bush in response to the 9/11 attacks proclaimed the war on terror in 2001 the United States consider themselves involved in a worldwide struggle against international terrorism. Given the elusive and non-specific nature of the opponent and of the goals of this war, the conflict lacks a well-defined endstate. Without precise goal this war will offer no opportunities of guidance by a strategy in the proper sense of the word. This will be a perpetual war indeed