THE STRATEGIC UTILITY OF SOF IN GREAT POWER COMPETITION: A NATO PERSPECTIVE
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Authors
Tuinman, Joost Martijn
Schwarzbauer, Matthias J.
Subjects
Great Power Competition
strategic competition
strategic utility
SOF
special operations forces
special operations
NATO SOF
NATO
United States
China
Russia
future security environment
hybrid warfare
gray zone
grey zone
irregular warfare
unconventional warfare
armed conflict
Gerasimov doctrine
belt and road initiative
strategic concept
Colin Gray
expansion of choice
economy of force
Arctic
Black Sea
Svalbard
Varna
scenario development
storytelling
imagination
strategic competition
strategic utility
SOF
special operations forces
special operations
NATO SOF
NATO
United States
China
Russia
future security environment
hybrid warfare
gray zone
grey zone
irregular warfare
unconventional warfare
armed conflict
Gerasimov doctrine
belt and road initiative
strategic concept
Colin Gray
expansion of choice
economy of force
Arctic
Black Sea
Svalbard
Varna
scenario development
storytelling
imagination
Advisors
Malkasian, Carter
Kitzen, Martijn, Netherlands Defence Academy
Masala, Carlo, Universität der Bundeswehr München
Date of Issue
2022-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
NATO needs to discuss whether, why, and how Special Operations Forces (SOF) contribute to the “fight” in Great Power Competition. NATO’s security strategy traditionally relies on a deterrence posture with conventional and nuclear capabilities. The new NATO 2022 Strategic Concept validates the necessity to research the question: What is the strategic utility of SOF for NATO in Great Power Competition, and how can this strategic utility be enhanced? This study uses a qualitative methodology. At the core is a comparative analysis of two scenarios in the Black Sea and Arctic regions, both developed through a systematic process and enriched with imagination to contain useful vignettes. The analysis suggests that SOF have strategic utility, albeit in changing manifestations in different phases of the conflict continuum, in Great Power Competition. SOF expands the strategic options available to political and military leaders—expansion of choice—to anticipate and respond, especially in an early stage of a crises below the threshold of armed conflict. SOF also achieve significant results with limited forces—economy of force—when conventional formations are not available or capable. It is not about what SOF can and should do; the heart of the matter is what makes the strategic difference—expansion of choice and economy of force—that defines the future of SOF.
Type
Thesis
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Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Defense Analysis (DA)
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
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Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.