| Summary/Abstract |
Special operations forces (SOF) typically are small, relatively light-armed forces that rely on both their skills, and the stealth and surprise generated largely through intelligence support, to conduct strategically important missions that are often covert or clandestine. The SOF often rely heavily on national civilian as well as military intelligence agencies. Their use in sensitive operations typically requires senior-level political confidence in SOF and a domestic political climate that accepts special operations as legitimate instruments of national policy.1 Colin S. Gray, “Handfuls of Heroes on Desperate Ventures: When do Special Operations Succeed?” Parameters, Vol. 29, No. 1, Spring 1999, pp. 2–24.
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The major intelligence services also conduct “covert action” missions—plausibly deniable activities authorized by national political leaders—for strategically important reasons when other policy options are unavailable or unattractive. These activities occasionally involve the use of force by capable, specialized armed forces that are component parts of the agencies.
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