Special Warfare: The Missing Middle in U.S. Coercive Options

Dan Madden ; Dick Hoffmann ; Michael Johnson ; Fred Krawchuk ; John E. Peters ; Linda Robinson ; Abby Doll

RAND Corporation

RAND Corporation

关键词: Peacekeeping and Stability Operations;    Low-intensity Conflict;    Special Operations Forces;    Warfare and Military Operations;    Military Strategy;   

DOI  :  10.7249/RR828
RP-ID  :  RR-828-A

学科分类：自然科学（综合）

美国|英语

来源: RAND Corporation Published Research

【 摘 要 】

This report demonstrates the need for special warfare, a strategic and operational approach to securing U.S. interests. The U.S. requires new approaches for exerting influence to fill the missing middle between the costly indefinite commitment of conventional forces and the limitations of distant-strike options presented by drones and Tomahawk missiles. Because special warfare works principally through local actors, employs political warfare methods, and requires the integration of a much broader suite of U.S. government agency capabilities than are typically envisioned in conventional campaigns, the United States must adjust its conceptual models for military campaigns to achieve its goals through special warfare.The report has four specific aims: (1) to adapt conventional operational art to the unique characteristics of special warfare, (2) to identify the strategic advantages and risks associated with special warfare, (3) to explore how special warfare campaigns could be used to address challenges identified in strategic guidance, and (4) to provide guidance to military and civilian leaders and planners in designing and executing these campaigns.RAND authors recommend that DoD strengthen its special warfare planning capacity and culture, conduct institutional reforms to facilitate unified action among relevant U.S. government agencies, and place greater emphasis on developing capabilities required to prevail in the human domain.