The future of U.S. special operations forces
By: Linda Robinson
Contributors: Council on Foreign Relations
Series: Council special report -- no. 66; CSR (New York, N.Y.) -- no. 66.
Publisher: Council on Foreign Relations
Published: 2013
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 39
ISBN-13: 9780876095522; 9780876095508
Copyright date: 2013
Subjects: Organization; Personnel management; Special forces (Military science); Special operations (Military science); Military policy; Armies; United States of America; National security; Armed forces abroad; Terrorism; Al-Qaeda; Prevention; E-docs; U.S. Special Operations Command
Other titles: Future of US special operations forces; Future of United States special operations forces
Description: U.S. special operations forces are doing more things in more places than ever before. They are now active in some seventy countries and, since 2001, have seen their combined budget nearly quintuple -- a trend that seems likely to continue. As the United States seeks ways to tackle a range of security threats worldwide, shore up the resilience of its friends and allies against terrorist and criminal networks, and minimize need for large-scale military interventions, the importance of special operations forces will grow. Yet, the strategic vision for special operations forces has not kept pace with the growing demands for their skills. Most people -- and, indeed, many policymakers -- associate the special operations forces with secret nighttime raids like the one that targeted Osama bin Laden: tactical operations against a particular individual or group. The abilities of special operations forces, however, extend much further, into military training, information operations, civil affairs, and more. As the United States shifts its focus from war fighting to building and supporting its partners, the author argues, it will become critical to better define these strategic capabilities and ensure that special operations forces have the staffing and funding to succeed. The author further calls on the Pentagon to remove bureaucratic and operational obstacles to cooperation among the special operations forces of each service, and between special and conventional forces. She also recommends that all special operations forces commands work to develop a pipeline of talented, motivated officers with expertise in these issues, and that the role of civilian leadership in budget and operational oversight be reinforced.
Notes: "April 2013."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-32).
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Special operations forces and the strategic context; title: Special operations forces organization and missions; title: Shortfalls in special operations forces; title: Recommendations; title: Conclusion.