Visible politics and invisible tactics: the use of uniforms in asymmetric conflicts

There is a fundamental conflict between the use of uniforms in war and the concept of irregular warfare. Whereas the former is based on a clear distinction between friend and foe, the latter aims to blur the visual contrast between adversaries by manipulating the visual codes of conduct in war. This fundamental conflict has become even more apparent in the asymmetric conflicts and irregular warfare that has taken place since 1945. By examining the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this article highlights the role of camouflage and invisibility in such asymmetric conflicts. It will show that, over time, regular forces tend to adopt guerrilla-like tactics under the umbrella of counterinsurgency, while insurgents strive for regularity by adopting the gestures and public visibility of a state-like army.