11 
The central theme of this issue is asymmetric threats with emphasis on the new 
role of the armed forces as one of several possible national responses. Asymmetric 
threats are not a new phenomenon. According to the literature, they are one of the 
oldest forms of threats, although in most cases the term asymmetric is not specifically 
mentioned. Asymmetry as a term referring to something that is not symmetrical or 
equivalent emerged later than the threats we today identify as asymmetric, and is 
consequently considered more modern. In reality, asymmetry is a form of threat that 
no one expects. It can relate to the organizational, personnel-related, and quantity-
related, or some other aspect. It is important to note that an asymmetric threat emerges 
in a way that comes as a surprise. Our responses are therefore delayed, since such a 
threat was unexpected and we are not (yet) properly prepared to counter it. For this 
reason asymmetric threats are a big challenge. We can deal with them in different 
ways; one of them is certainly military. In asymmetric warfare, a very important 
effect is demonstrated with the use of minimal input, assertion of various interests – 
most often of an individual or group against a larger group or country – innovative 
approaches, and with high efficiency compared to the resistance of the target. When 
considering the role of the armed forces and their response to asymmetric threats, 
both the question and the answer to whether this should be the new role of the military 
are quite obvious. Asymmetric threats are a series of threats with a rich history, but 
it is their very innovation, effect of surprise, and inflicted damage that require a 
great deal of vigilance on the part of all whose fundamental mission is to ensure 
national security. In the past few years, Slovenia has faced various threats that could 
be classified as asymmetric, such as floods; ice storm; mass, group and individual 
illegal migration, and COVID-19. The state responded to them by activating various 
stakeholders, including the military. With its numerous past experiences acquired at 
home and abroad, the Slovenian Armed Forces has successfully joined state activities 
to normalize, assist in, restore and resolve the existing situation, and to provide order 
and security. Nevertheless, all stakeholders in the country who are involved in the 
EDITORIAL
THE NEW ROLE OF ARMED FORCES AS A 
RESPONSE TO ASYMMETRIC THREATS
Liliana Brožič DOI:10.33179/BSV.99.SVI.11.CMC.22.3.00
Sodobni	vojaški	izzivi,	september	2020	–	22/št.	3
Contemporary	Military	Challenges,	September	2020	–	22/No.	3
 12 Sodobni vojaški izzivi/Contemporary Military Challenges
efforts tackling the emerging asymmetric threats, including the Slovenian Armed 
Forces, are constantly faced with new challenges. These are manifested in various 
forms such as the need for new knowledge, other forms of cooperation, provision of 
specific logistical support, changes in legislation, modernization of the self-protective 
equipment for the employees and the efficiency of communication and other devices. 
In order to be better prepared and more responsive to asymmetric threats in the 
future, we still need to do more to face the above-mentioned challenges. There are 
several ways to do this. One of them is to write articles on the role of the armed 
forces in asymmetric threats. The authors of articles in this issue share a variety of 
experiences, views and ideas on how to proceed in order to be better prepared and 
more effective in the future.
Rok Svetlič addressed the issue of the importance of human rights of an individual 
who asserts these rights as an illegal migrant in the country of arrival in relation to 
the rights of this country and the human rights of its citizens as well as all those who 
exercise these rights on behalf of the state when dealing with illegal migration. In his 
article Monistic theory of human rights and paralysis of security systems – the case 
of illegal migration, the author explores the role of security forces in ensuring the 
human rights of citizens.
Joint civil-military interaction as a tool in responding to hybrid threats is the title of 
a paper by Thomas Matyók and Srečko Zajc, who believe that in order to respond 
to asymmetric, hybrid and other forms of threats, it is necessary to find new mindsets 
and new ways to organize those providing security. One of their main messages is 
that new forms of threats require a joint effort of civilian and military institutions.
According to Viktor Potočnik, changes in security threats brought about changes in 
the nature of war and warfare. In his article The changed character of war and the 
transformation of infantry squad, platoon and company, he writes about the reasons 
for these changes, the nature of changes and the way in which they should occur in 
the organization, culture, doctrine, training, and other areas of military operation. 
The author notes that new development trends in the field of warfare mainly originate 
from the United States. In the future, however, the Alliance will have to make more 
decisions in this respect. 
In the 2015 European migrant crisis, the European Union was faced with a new 
challenge also involving the armed forces. Different Member States chose different 
ways to involve their respective armed forces. Five years later, members of the 
Slovenian Armed Forces still support the Police in the protection of the Slovenian 
border and in dealing with a growing number of illegal migrants. More about this in 
the article Illegal migration and the role of the Slovenian Armed Forces by Liliana 
Brožič.
Liliana Brožič
 13 Sodobni vojaški izzivi/Contemporary Military Challenges
Readiness of European countries for the return of foreign fighters of the Islamic 
State is the title of an article by Denis Čaleta and Sara Perković. The authors are 
interested in establishing to what extent the citizens of Belgium and France, who 
have fought as volunteers on the side of the Islamic State, represent a threat to the 
European Union and their respective countries; how this is established, and what 
are the security measures in this respect both in the European Union and the above 
countries.
In the article Asymmetric warfare threats in Greece: a descriptive analysis John 
M. Nomikos provides an answer to the question how to systematically deal with 
asymmetric threats in the form of cyber-attacks and illegal migration in Greece. He 
presents Greece’s cyber security strategy and the importance of greater intelligence 
cooperation to prevent, limit and protect all that is of particular importance to the 
security of the state and the society, as well as illegal migrants who are victims of 
organized crime.
Just as in other countries, climate changes are a major challenge in Hungary as well. 
In their article Hungary’s legal efforts to strengthen climate resilience Tamás Berek, 
László Földi and József Padányi explore how to influence these changes, minimize 
their impact and address them from a defence and military perspective.
When we talk or read about the state, defence, and the military, we always first think 
of good organization, dynamic work, order, discipline, and security. Security for all. 
Let it stay that way.
EDITORIAL: THE NEW ROLE OF ARMED FORCES AS A RESPONSE TO ASYMMETRIC THREATS