Beyond Traditional "Carrot and Stick" Foreign Policy Options: Exploring Army Special Operations Support to Nonviolent Resistance Movements
Abstract
U.S. joint military doctrine establishes a readiness requirement to support violent insurgencies, primarily through conduct of unconventional warfare (UW) by Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF). UW doctrine describes basic models of resistance and UW informed by historical cases of resistance campaigns and guerrilla warfare. Recent research suggests nonviolent resistance techniques may be more effective than violent insurgent techniques, raising concerns about ARSOF readiness and strategic value in the international security environment. This thesis identified opportunities for ARSOF employment in a U.S. whole-of-government strategy for supporting nonviolent resistance movements. A case study analysis of outpour and civil resistance to Slobodan Milosevic was conducted through the theoretical lens of special operations as well as a crosswalk analysis of ARSOF capabilities through the theoretical lens of nonviolent civil resistance. This methodology resulted in two significant findings. First, U.S. foreign policy for conflict resolution focuses on "carrot or stick" approaches through diplomacy, sanctions, and military force, with inherent risk to long-term U.S. strategic interests. Second, ARSOF has the capability to support nonviolent resistance movements. These findings suggest that the U.S. needs to explore foreign policy options beyond the traditional approaches, and ARSOF support to nonviolent resistance is one such viable option.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1124588
Entities
People
- Benjamin E. Chinsky
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College