The author is so 1980's bringing up that "low-intensity" term not once but five times!
V/R
Dave
Special Operations Forces Work to Increase Stability Around the World
April 12, 2013 at 10:04 am
Poulet Philippe/ABACA/Newscom
A recent Washington Post op-ed asked the question, “[C]an the U.S. rely on SOF [Special Operations Forces] power?” As the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan, and a combination of defense budget reductions and isolationist sentiments reduce America’s military presence, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) intends to expand its “non-kinetic” actions across the globe.
The answer to the WaPo author’s question is “yes” but only to a reasonable extent. While SOF are extremely capable when it comes to their core missions, President Obama and Congress should take care not to overuse or misuse them.
While the Navy SEALs’ raid on Osama bin Laden exemplified SOF’s “kinetic” or strike missions, USSOCOM intends to return focus to non-kinetic, indirect action. USSOCOM Commander Admiral William McRaven has led this effort with his command’s “Global SOF Network.” This strategy is intended to give SOF more autonomy over its missions and resources so that special operators can better execute low intensity missions such as training foreign military forces and humanitarian assistance.
Currently, USSOCOM only has authority over SOF until they are deployed. Once they reach the geographic combatant command (GCC), the local commander has ultimate authority over them. If USSOCOM had greater control, SOF members could field long-term and low-intensity operations to sustain peace and stability in various political climates in which they are uniquely suited. This has proven successful in Europe, where USSOCOM has partnered with NATO special forces since 2007, forming bonds which strengthen national alliances. The slogan that emerged from this partnership is: “You can’t surge trust.”
This does not imply that SOF can supplant every operation performed by conventional military forces, nor should it be considered a national security strategy writ large. USSOCOM’s low intensity forces are just one piece of U.S. security strategy necessary to protect American interests. Furthermore, increased use of SOF should not serve as an excuse for the Obama Administration and Congress to cut corners elsewhere.
The Obama Administration already made a misguided decision when he pulled two permanent Brigade Combat Teams out of Europe and replaced them with much smaller, rotational battalions. It cannot continue this trend by assuming that SOF can do everything, everywhere. As The Heritage Foundation’s Jim Carafano illustrated, “Special operations forces are a scalpel, not a Swiss Army knife. They are not a substitute for all the instruments of military power needed to protect the nation’s interests.”
(Continued at the link below)
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