Executive Report: JSOU (Joint Special Operations University) Second Annual Symposium. Irregular Warfare: Strategic Utility of SOF

Abstract

The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Strategic Studies Department held its second annual academic symposium on "Irregular Warfare: The Strategic Utility of Special Operations Forces (SOF)" in May 2007. The event was designed to present and discuss issues relevant to the special operations community with perspectives from experts on the Irregular Warfare (IW) theme. The symposium was framed by three keynote speakers, addressing the validity of IW as a model, experiences in the interagency process, and perspectives on SOF in the global security environment out to 2015. Three panels provided the substance and framework for the discussions and some thoughts for a way ahead. The panels were followed by successful "breakout" groups for more detailed discussion and input. In addition, two eminent authors offered perspectives on IW and other relevant topics during less formal lunchtime discussions. This report summarizes the high points of the keynote addresses, panel discussions, and luncheon speakers. JSOU president, Brigadier General Steven Hashem, opened the symposium with the USSOCOM perspective. He believes that IW is extremely relevant to USSOCOM, DoD, and the entire U.S. Government. Brigadier General Hashem briefly discussed the Quadrennial Defense Review's point that "In the post-September 11 world, irregular warfare has emerged as the dominant form of warfare confronting the United States, its allies, and its partners." With the decreased likelihood in the near to mid-term of conducting major conventional combat operations, the challenge is for the United States to develop capabilities that address the more nebulous aspects of winning a long-term, irregular war. This goal will require an indirect approach with protracted operations conducted on a global scale and focused on the will or support of the people.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 03, 2007
Accession Number
ADA511947

Entities

People

  • Alvaro De Souza Pinheiro
  • Chris Sorenson
  • David Hopley
  • David Tucker
  • Harry R. Yarger
  • James F. Powers Jr.
  • Jeffrey Hasler
  • Leslie L. Fuller
  • Lisa E. Gordon-hagerty
  • Mark Boyatt
  • Michael Vlahos
  • Raymond Palumbo
  • Russell D. Howard
  • Steven J. Hashem
  • Thomas X. Hammes
  • Timberlake Foster
  • Wade Ishimoto
  • Walter M. Herd

Organizations

  • Joint Special Operations University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Counterterrorism
  • Employment
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Students
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Naval Engineering and Maritime Security
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control