This is a fantastic summary of United States' original "unilateral, unconventional" war. Here is the opening paragraph as a teaser:

Ruthless, unconventional foes are not new to the United States of America. More than two hundred years ago the newly established United States made its first attempt to fight an overseas battle to protect its private citizens by building an international coalition against an unconventional enemy. Then the enemies were pirates and piracy. The focus of the United States and a proposed international coalition was the Barbary Pirates of North Africa.

Definitely deserves a GRTHT™.

(Hat-tip to The SuperGenius)