Abstract
The author of Chap. 4 utilizes Colin Gray’s earlier work, where he explores the strategic utility of special operations. Gray’s conclusion, like most literature on SOF, is argued on the experience of larger Western military powers’ use of SOF. The sole focus on larger powers limits the value of such a theory for smaller nations since there is an inherent contradiction between larger powers’ use and utility of SOF and that of smaller nations due to divergence in ambitions and national or political interest. This chapter examines the strategic utility of SOF in a Nordic context through an empirical case study. The empirical case study is conducted on two states’ experiences of developing and utilizing SOF in special operations during the last decades.
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Notes
- 1.
Robinson, L. (2013). The Future of US Special Operations Forces. New York: Council on Foreign Relations, Council Special Report No.66, pp. 20–21.
- 2.
Spulak, R. (2007). A Theory of Special Operations. Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque: Joint Special Operation University, pp. 38–41.
- 3.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers.
- 4.
Letter to author from Anthony King, 2015 08–12.
- 5.
Letter to author from Anthony King, 2015 08–12.
- 6.
Letter to author from Anthony King, 2015 08–12.
- 7.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, p. 163.
- 8.
Modigs, R. (2004). Special Forces Capabilities of the European Union Military Forces, Fort Leavenworth: School of Advanced Military Studies, United States Army Command and General Staff College.
- 9.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp. 169–174.
- 10.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp. 174–175.
- 11.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp. 175–176.
- 12.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp. 176–177.
- 13.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, p. 177.
- 14.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, p. 178.
- 15.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp. 179–180.
- 16.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, chapter 8.
- 17.
A short introduction to explain the purpose of the data collection, as well as participant’s rights according to research ethics, was included in the mail. Attached to the survey Gray’s chapter 8—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces in Explorations in Strategy (1996) in order to situate the respondents in the theoretical point of departure.
- 18.
Bakkeli, T. (2013). Krigere og diplomater—på innsiden av forsvarets specialkommando. Oslo: Kagge Forlag AS. Bakkeli describes this thoroughly in his book.
- 19.
Agrell, W. (2013). Ett krig här och nu—Sveriges väg till väpnad konflikt i Afghanistan. Stockholm: Atlantis, p. 209–229.
- 20.
Gray, C. (1996). Explorations in Strategy—Strategic Utility of Special Operation Forces. Westport: Praeger Publishers, p 185.
- 21.
Briefing to EU SOF community by Deputy Director UK Special Forces, June 2005.
- 22.
Gray, Colin S., “Handful of Heroes on Desperate Ventures: When do Special Operations Succeed?” Parameters, 29:1 (Spring 1999).
- 23.
Finlan, Alastair. (2008). Special Forces, Strategy and the War on Terror. Abingdon: Routledge, p. 160.
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Modigs, C.R. (2017). The Utility of Special Operations in Small States. 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_4
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