Enduring Engagement Yes, Episodic Engagement No: Lessons for SOF from Mali

Abstract

This thesis examines SOF's recent experience in Mali and determines where or to what extent it should be considered a failure. In addition to analyzing these encounters, a second aim of this thesis is to make recommendations for how SOF might better build partner capacity and capability in the future. The argument made is that enduring engagement is of enduring value; episodic engagement, on its own, is not. Examples of both types of engagement can be found in United States Special Operations Forces recent interactions with the Malian military.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA620360

Entities

People

  • Simon J. Powelson

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Department Of State
  • Employment
  • Military Education
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Military Training
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Students
  • Tactical Training
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Africa Command
  • United States European Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.