August 2024
- “Russia’s Syria Policy: From the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation” (Monograph) — The bond between Russia and Syria weaves through the centuries, evolving from ancient ties into the complex, multi-faceted relationship we see today. This monograph examines how the relationship between Russia and Syria has evolved–from its roots through the cold war and rise of the Assad dynasty to the Syrian civil war and beyond. Authored by: Arman Mahmoudian
June 2024
- “Unveiling Pervasive Patterns of Violence in West Africa” (Quick Look/White Paper) — The increase in violence in the Sahel region is indicative of a complex and diverse security environment driven by multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of violent extremist organizations. Authored by: Christiane Thompson
- “China and Russia in West Africa: A Tale of Two Powers and Their Quest for Dominance“ (Quick Look/White Paper) — China’s influence in Africa is pervasive, and Russia has re-engaged in West Africa following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s and China’s engagement in West Africa has important implications for the region’s balance of power, security, and alliances. Authored by: Christiane Thompson
- “The New Way of Limited Warfare: The Value of the Afghan Model of Warfare After the Fight Against ISIS” (Monograph) — This monograph examines the importance and utility of the Afghan model of warfare (combining SOF, airpower, and local forces) as a way to achieve political ends using limited means and presents a framework of factors that determines to what extent this approach is applicable in future contexts. Authored by: Captain Tijs Althuizen, MA, and Professor Martijn Kitzen, PhD
- “Counterintelligence Quick Look” (Quick Look/White Paper) — Counterintelligence is often referred to as a mission, an intelligence discipline, or a function. This fact sheet seeks to clarify the role, function, and mission of counterintelligence within the Joint Force and SOF enterprise. Authored by: Michael W. Parrott
April 2024
- “Improving SOF Ethics Education” (Commentary) — The realities of human nature combined with the realities of the SOF operational environment create frequent opportunities for SOF professionals to become numb to moral drift and the ethical dilemmas that follow from a norm where “if you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’!” takes on an institution-wide leadership problem for SOF professionals across the joint force and across the operational spectrum. This reality requires SOF leaders who recognize the reality that the SOF profession offers its own peculiar professional and ethical challenges and leaders who are professionally ready to lead in such highly complex ethical decision-making environments. Authored by: Clark, Mike; Labuz, John; Long, Joseph E., Thyne, Kari
March 2024
- “Competing for Advantage: The Chinese Communist Party, Statecraft, and Special Operations” (Edited Volume) — This edited volume highlights key challenges the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) faces in its rise and contextualizes the potential contributions of special operations to compete for advantage based on the CCP’s interests and vulnerabilities. Competing for advantage means accruing power and influence in such a way that the adversary’s plans cannot be realized. This volume focuses primarily on appreciating the CCP’s worldview, interests, and politics while promoting a strategic vision for the future—a future where SOF will need to reinterpret their value from providing a military effect to providing a political effect through military means. Authored by: Barkin, Samuel; Conrad, Justin; Horowitz, Shale; Ye, Min; Reardon, Lawrence; Irwin, Will; Craft, Stephen; Black, Charles; Ellis, David
January 2024
- “Special Operations Research Topics 2024” (Handbook) — As special operations adapt and evolve to meet new challenges, SOF need to prepare themselves and be employed in new and unique ways. The questions posed in the Special Operations Research Topics 2024 booklet address many of these complex challenges and invite research into the intersection of human past and emergent technology. The nearly 40 research topics, each including several sub-questions, range from compound security threats in the Sahel to the Russian and Chinese ways of irregular warfare in an effort to facilitate research and writing across professional military education, academia, and the joint force. Edited by: Blocksome, Patricia
November 2023
- “Special Operations Forces Reference Manual, Fifth Edition” (Manual) — The fifth edition of the Special Operations Forces Reference Manual provides general information on U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF). It provides an introduction to SOF command structure and also contains text, charts, and graphics detailing SOF unit organization, equipment, and areas of responsibility.
March 2023
- “Moral Injury: Implications for U.S. SOF and Ethical Resiliency” (Monograph) — Nearly 160 years ago, Alexander Dumas concluded, “Moral wounds have this peculiarity–they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.” In this monograph, the authors share a summary, review, and implications of moral injury in SOF while examining how improperly treated and inadequately cared for moral injury can profoundly affect all within the SOF community. After conducting research throughout the SOF enterprise and considering the implications of moral injury in SOF, the authors conclude that possibilities and probabilities remain for a restored spirit, renewed hope, and curative healing even after operators have experienced ethical, moral, and spiritual crucibles encountered as a result of SOF duties. Authored by: John Caterson, Marc-Charles Ingerson, David Wood, Matthew Kazumi Ikenoyama