Is the "generations of war" construct useful, and does it help us in defining and understanding conflict?
This is the biggest complaint I have against the XGW warfare concept. Most of what is postulated as 4GW is not new, though certain aspects have been enabled and accelerated through technology beyond what was possible in the past. But these elements of 4GW do not, ISTM, require such technology:

* Complex and long term
* Terrorism
* A non-national or transnational base
* A direct attack on the enemy's culture
* Highly sophisticated psychological warfare, especially through manipulation of the media
* All available networks are used - political, economic, social and military
* Occurs in low-intensity conflict, involving actors from all networks
* Non-combatants become tactical dilemmas