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Special Operations Forces: Articles/Documents

This research guide provides information and resources such as journal articles, book titles, websites, and government reports/papers on the subject of Special Operations Forces.

Selected Electronic Resources

Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) This link opens in a new window
Digital National Security Archive (DNSA) This link opens in a new window
Chronologies; glossaries; subject bibliographies
Click Collections Guide for a list and description of the various collections.
DTIC (Defense Technical Information Center) This link opens in a new window
EBSCO Int'l Security & Counter-Terrorism Reference Center This link opens in a new window
EBSCO Military & Government Collection This link opens in a new window
Print or save single pages, one page at a time.
Homeland Security Digital Library This link opens in a new window
Joint Electronic Library This link opens in a new window
ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window
Terrorism and Insurgency Intelligence Centre (Jane's) This link opens in a new window

Articles

America's Special Operations Problem
Hooker, RD Jr. Joint Force Quarterly. Iss. 108, 2023.
CIA/SOF Convergence and Congressional Oversight
Kibbe, Jennifer D. Intelligence and National Security. Vol. 38, iss. 1, 2023.
Expansibility and Army Special Operations Forces
Shwedo, Eric. Parameters. Winter 2017/2018.
Fake It till You Make It? Representation of Special Operations Forces Capabilities in Jihadist Propaganda Videos
Koehler, Daniel. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism. Jun 2020.
Frogmen and Pirates: the Utility of Special Operations Forces for Small States Against For-Profit, Illicit Networks
Burchall Henningsen, Troels. Defence Studies. Vol. 21, iss, 3, 2021.
Hunters and Gatherers: The Evolution of Strike and Intelligence Functions in Special Operations Forces
Hardy, John. International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. Vol. 36, iss. 4, 2023.
Improving Special Operations Forces Measurements of Effectiveness in Security Cooperation
Coburn, Matthew D. Special Operations Journal. 30 Oct 2018.
Intelligence Services and Special Operations Forces: Why Relationships Differ
Gentry, John. International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. Vol. 30, iss. 4, 2017.
The Limits of Special Operations Forces
Long, Austin. Prism. Vol. 6, iss. 3, 2016.
The Position of the Special Operations Forces Soldiers on the So-Called Global War on Terrorism. A Survey Report
Lason, Marcin. Defense & Security Analysis. Vol. 39, iss. 1, 2023.
Pushing the Easy Button: Special Operations Forces, International Security, and the Use of Force
Burgos, Russell A. Special Operations Journal. Vol. 4, iss. 2, 2018.
Quarrelsome Siblings – The Relationship Between Special Operations and Conventional Forces
Gielas, Anna M. Journal of Strategic Security. Vol. 17, iss. 1, 2024.
Reinventing the Revolution: Technological Visions, Counterinsurgent Criticism, and the Rise of Special Operations
Lindsay, Jon R. Journal of Strategic Studies. Vol. 36, iss. 3, 2013.
The Rise of Special Operations Forces: Generalized Specialization, Boundary Spanning and Military Autonomy
Shamir, Eitan. Journal of Strategic Studies. Vol. 41, iss. 3, 2018.
The Role and Limits of Special Operations in Strategic Competition
Ucko, David H. The RUSI Journal. Vol. 168, iss. 3, 2023.
SOF and the ARG/MEU
Stevens, Michael. Marine Corps Gazette. Vol. 105, iss. 1, 2021.
Special Forces Evolve to Counter the (Un)Expected
White, Andrew. Armada International. Feb/Mar 2020.
Special Operations Forces and Conventional Forces: Integration, Interoperability, and Interdependence
Wesbrock, Jason,; et al. Prism. Vol. 6, no. 3, 2016.
Special Operations Forces and Great-Power Competition in the 21st Century
Brands, Hal; Nichols, Tim. American Enterprise Institute Research Papers. 04 Aug 2020.
Special Operations Forces Institution-Building: From Strategic Approach to Security Force Assistance
Stringer, Kevin D. Joint Force Quarterly. Iss. 110, 2023.
Special Operations Forces in the Gray Zone: An Operational Framework for Using Special Operations Forces in the Space Between War and Peace
Lohaus, Phillip. Special Operations Journal. Vol. 2, iss. 2, 2016.
Special Ops Forces: How Elite Forces Became Military Muscle
Hbaerman, Clyde. New York Times. 25 Sep 2017.
Supersoldiers or Rulebreakers? Unpacking the Mind-Set of Special Operations Forces
Dalgaard-Nielso, Anja; Holm, Kirstine Falster. Armed Forces & Society. 08 Feb 2018.
A Theory of Special Operations: “These Ideas Are Dangerous”
Kiras, James D. Special Operations Journal. Vol. 1, iss. 2, 2015.
U.S. Special Operations Forces in Cyberspace
Duggan, Patrick; Oren, Elizabeth. Cyber Defense Review. Vol. 1, no. 2, 2016.
Women in Special Operations Forces: A Battle for Effectiveness Amidst the Pursuit of Equality
Walter, Brittany L. University of San Francisco Law Review. Vol. 52, iss. 1, 2017.

Documents/Reports

Commandos Sans Frontières: The Global Growth of US Special Operations Forces
Turse, Nick. Thruthout.org. 17 Jul 2018.
How to Win an Asymmetric War in the Era of Special Forces
Pritchard, Keith; et al. National Interest. 12 Oct 2019.
Know a SEAL From a Night Stalker: A Breakdown of US Special Operations Units
Hollings, Alex. SpecialOperations.com. 28 Mar 2019.
Life In Special Operations Is in the Shadows, Not the Limelight
Balestrieri, Steve. Special Operations. 30 Aug 2018.
Making the Most of Special Operations Forces
Moyar, Mark. Center for Strategic & International Studies. 18 Jul 2017.
The Origins of the United States Special Operations Command
Biykin, William.
OSS Office of Strategic Services: A Primer of the Special Operations Branches and Detachments of the Office of Strategic Services
Office of the Command Historian.
Special Operations (JP 3-05)
16 Jul 2014.
Special Operations Forces: Additional Actions Are Needed to Effectively Expand Management Oversight
United States Government Accountability Office. May 2019.
Special Operations Forces: Let SOF be SOF
Hajduk, Kristen. CSIS Report. 21 Dec 2016.
Special Operations Forces Reference Manual
JSOU Press. June 2015.
U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress
CRS Report. 25 Aug 2023.
U.S. Special Ops: A History of Excellence
Newsweek. 11 Nov 2015.
U.S. Special Ops: Six Things You Should Know
Pruitt, Sarah. History. 22 Aug 2018.
Where Do Special Forces Fit in the National Defense Strategy?
Judson, Jen. Defense News. 17 May 2019.
‘Top Secret America’: A look at the military’s Joint Special Operations Command
Priest, Dana. Washington Post. 02 Sep 2011.