Abstract
The importance and use of special operation forces (SOF) have grown considerably in the Western world during the last decades. Also, an increased focus on SOF and special operations (SO) has materialized in almost all types of military contexts, within the wide variety of states and within the whole spectrum of conflict. This development holds for differing military contexts and states, ranging from military superpowers (e.g., the US), but also for small states with limited and/or developing military institutions. However, the existing literature is mostly concerned with the use of SOF from the perspective of a military superpower, e.g., the US. Thus, there seems to be a gap in the scholarly literature regarding the field of SOF and SO regarding how small states can relate to, make use of, and develop SOF and SO capabilities—both at a tactical, operational level and as a strategic instrument for a small state in the modern complex security environment.
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- 1.
See for instance James D. Kiras, “A Theory of Special Operations: ‘These Ideas Are Dangerous’.” Special Operations Journal 1.2 (2015): 75–88.
- 2.
Svendsen, Adam DM. (2014) “Sharpening SOF tools, their strategic use and direction: Optimising the command of Special Operations amid wider contemporary defence transformation and military cuts.” Defence Studies 14(3): 284–309.
- 3.
C. Marsh, J. Kiras and P. Blocksome, (2015) “Special Operations Research: Out of the Shadows.” Special Operations Journal 1.1–6.
- 4.
The possibility of and conditions of states seeking power—and security—is an extensive and ongoing debate within international relations and realism. For instance, see Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1948 and later editions) and Kenneth N. Waltz, Theory of International Politics (Reading, MA.: Addison-Wesley, 1979).
- 5.
The rationale for states seeking cooperation in the international realm is within the core of the realist debate. See for instance Robert Jervis, “Cooperation under the Security Dilemma,” World Politics 30.2 (January 1978).
- 6.
Concept for operations, The Global Special Operations Forces Network 2020 (GSN 2020), USSOCOM 29 July 2013.
- 7.
Krepinevich, Andrew F. 1994. “Cavalry to Computer: The Pattern of Military Revolutions.” The National Interest, 37: 30–42.
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Murray, Williamson, and Peter R. Mansoor, eds. 2012, Hybrid Warfare: Fighting Complex Opponents from the Ancient World to the Present. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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Bērziņš (2014).
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Gray, Colin S. Explorations in strategy. No. 164. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996.
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Janis Berzins, 2014, Russia’s new generation warfare in Ukraine: Implications for Latvian Defense Policy. National Defence Academy of Lativa, Center for Security and Strategic Research.
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Janis Berzins, 2014, Russia´s new generation warfare in Ukraine: Implications for Latvian Defense Policy. National Defence Academy of Lativa, Center for Security and Strategic Research.
- 13.
Collins (1994).
- 14.
D. Tucker, C.J. Lamb, United States Special Operations Forces (New York: Colombia University Press, 2007): 39.
- 15.
Regeringens proposition 2014/2015: 109 [the Swedish Government proposition 2014/2015] Försvarspolitisk inriktning—Sveriges försvar 2016–2020.
- 16.
Försvarsdepartementet, “Försvaret av Sverige—Starkare försvar för en osäker tid Ds 2014:20”, (Stockholm: Försvarsdepartementet, 2014): 65. In addition, the Defence Committee also emphasizes the need to enhance the cooperation between the Swedish SOF and police (and other civil agencies) to counter for example terrorism.
- 17.
Försvarsmakten, Försvarsmaktens redovisning av perspektivstudien 2013 FM2013-276:1 [The Swedish Armed Forces longterm stratigic analysis—2013], (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2013): 17.
- 18.
Försvarsmakten, ÖB beslut avseende special förband [The Supreme Commanders Intent concerning SOF] FM 2013–690:1 (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2013): 1.
- 19.
Försvarsmakten, ÖB beslut avseende special förband [The Supreme Commanders Intent concerning SOF] FM 2013–690:1 (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2013): 1.
- 20.
William H. McRaven, SPEC OPS Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice (Novato: Presidio Press, 1996).
- 21.
See for instance Försvarsmakten, Militärstrategisk Doktrin [Strategic Military Doctrine] 2011 (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2012): 104. Försvarsmakten, Försvarsmaktens redovisning av perspektivstudien 2013 FM2013-276:1 [The Swedish Armed Forces longterm stratigic analysis – 2013] (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2013): 32.
- 22.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Publication JP 3–05, Special Operation, (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 18 April, 2011) and Militärstrategisk Doktrin, Försvarsmakten [The Swedish Armed Forces Strategic Doctrin], (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, forthcoming).
- 23.
J. Kiras, Special Operations and Strategy. From World War II to the War on Terrorism (New York: Routledge, 2006): 5.
- 24.
J. Kiras, Special Operations and Strategy. From World War II to the War on Terrorism. (New York: Routledge, 2006): 5.
- 25.
William H. McRaven, SPEC OPS Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice (Novato: Presidio Press, 1996) and Försvarsmakten, ÖB beslut avseende special förband [The Supreme Commanders Intent concerning SOF] FM 2013–690:1 (Stockholm: Försvarsmakten, 2013): 2.
- 26.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Publication 3–05, Special Operations, (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 18 April 2011).
- 27.
Försvarsdepartementet, “Försvaret av Sverige—Starkare försvar för en osäker tid Ds 2014:20”, (Stockholm: Försvarsdepartementet, 2014): 65.
References
Jānis Bērziņš, “Russia’s New Generation Warfare in Ukraine: Implications for Latvian Defense Policy.” Policy Paper 2 (2014).
Collins, John M. Special operations forces: An assessment. Washington: DIANE Publishing, 1994.
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Eriksson, G., Pettersson, U., Molin, U. (2017). Introduction. In: Eriksson, G., Pettersson, U. (eds) Special Operations from a Small State Perspective. New Security Challenges. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43961-7_1
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