Special Warfare, Special Operations and SOF (US) before Trump

[davidbfpo]

A short paper, 25 pgs, by a UK academic, Dr. Jon Moran; the actual title is: 'Assessing SOF Transparency and Accountability;The use of Special Operations Forces by the UK, US, Australia, and Canada'.

The paper introduction:

This report has been commissioned by remote control, a project of the Network for Social Change hosted by Oxford Research Group. The project examines changes in military engagement, with a focus on remote control warfare. This form of intervention takes place behind the scenes or at a distance rather than on a traditional battlefield, often through drone strikes and air strikes from above, with special forces, intelligence operatives, private contractors, and military training teams on the ground.

Link:http://oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/si...ed%20(003).pdf

He ends with:

This golden age for special forces raises a number of issues which are addressed in this report. SOF can play positive roles in preventing violence and limiting violence. But the use of SOF on the scale which is occurring at the moment raises other issues which require attention, particularly due to the secrecy under which they operate.The nature and intensity of modern SOF deployments and their actions effectively constitute a form of long-term warfare. This challenges their traditional exemption from scrutiny. SOF activities require oversight and accountability to ensure both their effectiveness and their compliance with international norms.

The author's official bio:http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/politics/people/jmoran