Human Rights as a Weapon System: A SOF Civil Affairs Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines leveraging human rights (in a positive manner) to advance the US's standing in strategic competition. A section focuses on current US policy toward human rights, as well as our competitor's view of human rights. When looking at HOW the US could do this, research suggests that the primary DoD governance officers (Army Special Operations Civil Affairs) are not adequately trained or prepared to "weaponize" human rights. Additionally, this paper proposes recommended "ways" ahead for the Special Warfare Center and School, as well as the operational Civil Affairs forces following the "by, with, and through" methodology. The topic for this paper was derived from the 2022 Joint Special Operations University Research Topics Guide.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 14, 2022
Accession Number
AD1208679

Entities

People

  • Tanner Derflinger

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Affairs
  • Competition
  • Human Rights
  • Schools
  • Universities

Readers

  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies