Restructuring Special Operations Forces for Emerging Threats (Strategic Forum, Number 219)
Abstract
Special Operations Forces (SOF) already make major contributions to national defense. However, the Department of Defense should adjust SOF operations, organization, and national-level command and control to deal more effectively with terrorism and related forms of political violence. Almost 20 years after the Special Operations Command was created, it is clear that to make strategic contributions to defeating current and emerging threats, SOF direct and indirect action capabilities should be organized in separate commands. SOF's so-called indirect action activities-typically performed by Special Forces, psychological operations, and civil affairs when they work by, with, and through the forces and people of host countries, such as the Philippines, Afghanistan, or Iraq-are critical (or reshaping the sociopolitical environment in which terrorists and insurgents thrive. A separate command will ensure resources and priority missions (or indirect action capabilities that currently are underemphasized. The new command's indirect capabilities should be augmented by improved abilities to understand and influence traditional social networks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA443126
Entities
People
- Christopher Jon Lamb
- David Tucker
Organizations
- National Defense University