Different Worlds: Unacknowledged Special Operations and Covert Action
Abstract
The ability for the United States to employ special operations forces in denied areas, on secret, unacknowledged missions, is critical to our success in the current war and in future conflict. In the area of covert operations, there is an ongoing debate about the blurred operational lines between DoD-led "Title 10 operations" versus CIA-led "Title 50 operations." This paper will examine the statutory and doctrinal definitions of covert action, to include the "traditional military activities" exception to the law; the legal requirements for using covert action as defined in law; and the policy issues surrounding the use of covert action. Under the law, special operations forces conducting missions where the role of the U.S. is unacknowledged are not conducting "covert action" within the meaning of the law, as long as those missions are under the command and control of a military commander in support of ongoing or anticipated hostilities ("Title 10 operations").
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA494716
Entities
People
- Richard C. Gross
Organizations
- United States Army War College