Use of Special Operations Forces in United Nations Missions: a Method to Resolve Complexity

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) uses Special Operations Forces (SOF) in peace operations. This monograph seeks to explain the paradox of employing highly lethal forces in the pursuit of global peace. The research uses the frameworks of complexity and systems theories. Additionally, this paper considers three case studies: the UN intervention in Somalia, the UN intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the UN intervention in Mali. The paper concludes that peace operations have reached a degree of complexity in which SOF prove more effective than conventional peacekeeping forces. However, SOF cannot resolve peace operations alone. Successful use of SOF in peace operations requires that UN policy makers and planners integrate SOF into the policies and strategies of UN peace operations. Additionally, the UN must create and adjust the internal concepts, doctrine, and force structure for employing SOF in UN missions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 2015
Accession Number
AD1001250

Entities

People

  • Radu Burduja

Organizations

  • School of Advanced Military Studies

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • European Union
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Terrorists
  • United Nations
  • United States Africa Command
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science
  • Sociology

Readers

  • International Relations and Conflict Resolution
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Systems Analysis and Design