USSOCOM Research Topics 2009
Abstract
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) 2009 Research Topics list, produced by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), is intended to guide research projects for Professional Military Education (PME) students, our faculty, research fellows, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. The topics list is organized into six sections with the first four addressing the most pressing needs or issues facing SOF today. The first section, unsurprisingly, is focused on research issues related to Combating Terrorist Networks (CbTNs) as this is the critical fight the United States and its allies are in today. The following three sections expand on issues crucial to understanding CbTNs: irregular warfare, the interagency process, and regional and cultural studies. The "interagency" is often discussed today, but frequently misunderstood. The interagency is best understood as a community or process that links different elements of government. Two key locations where the interagency comes together are Washington, DC and at U.S. embassies in foreign countries. The overarching focus of interagency research is how to best ensure that the interagency process meets requirements for successful prosecution of the current irregular type of war. Irregular war engenders much debate and its concepts are strongly linked to the interagency process. The third key element in the current conflict is the critical concept of cultural or regional studies. Defining what are cultural, regional, or linguistic requirements for CbTN is itself a major challenge. These critical topics, concepts, and processes reflect the challenges of winning the current conflicts and meeting the needs for the conflicts most likely to face us in the foreseeable future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA495336
Entities
Organizations
- Joint Special Operations University