(DoD) An armed struggle or clash between organized groups within a nation or between nations in order to achieve limited political or military objectives. Although regular forces are often involved, irregular forces frequently predominate. Conflict often is protracted, confined to a restricted geographic area, and constrained in weaponry and level of violence. Within this state, military power in response to threats may be exercised in an indirect manner while supportive of other instruments of national power. Limited objectives may be achieved by the short, focused, and direct application of force.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). conflict. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/conflict/definitions/1960979 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "conflict" http://smartdefine.org/conflict/definitions/1960979 (accessed September 23, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, conflict, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/conflict/definitions/1960979>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "conflict" 4 April 2011. Web. 23 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/conflict/definitions/1960979> |