This updated edition is a brilliant and timely addition to the exponentially growing literature on the 'Fifth Service,' the fastest growing branch of armed forces in the United States and around the world. It is a must-read for students, scholars, members of the armed forces, and anyone who wants to understand the changing nature of warfare.

Autorentext
David Tucker is senior fellow at the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. He taught in the Special Operations/Irregular Warfare curriculum at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School for many years and before that served in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. His most recent book is Revolution and Resistance: Moral Revolution, Military Might, and the End of Empire (2016).

Christopher J. Lamb retired as a distinguished research fellow at the National Defense University. His previous positions in the Departments of Defense and State include deputy assistant secretary of defense for resources and plans, deputy director of the State Department's interagency task force for military stabilization in the Balkans, and director of policy planning in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. His most recent book is The Mayaguez Crisis, Mission Command, and Civil-Military Relations (2018).

Klappentext

In this book, two national-security experts put the exploits of America's special operation forces in historical and strategic context. This second edition of United States Special Operations Forces, revised throughout to account for lessons learned in the twelve years since its first publication, includes two new case studies.

Inhalt
Introduction: American Special Operations Forces
Part I:The American Experience with Special Operations Forces

1. Special Operations Forces and Modern Warfare
2. History
   Part II:Selected Case Studies
3. Somalia
4. High-Value Target Teams
5. Village Stability Operations
   Part III:Special Operations Forces and U.S. National Security Policy
6. Special Operations Forces Roles and Missions
7. Special Operations Forces and the Future of Warfare
   Conclusion: The Strategic Utility of American Special Operations Forces
   Appendix 1: The Evolution of Special Operations Forces Roles and Missions
   Appendix 2: Bibliographic Essay for U.S. Special Operations Forces
   Notes
   Selected Bibliography
   Index