Adversaries of the United States have significantly increased their partnerships in both combat and influence operations, which may necessitate intervention by the special operations community to prevent conflict. Christopher Maier, the outgoing assistant secretary for Special Operations-Low-Intensity Conflict, highlighted these trends during an event hosted by the Center for a New American Security.
Maier remarked that special operations forces (SOF) have been expanding their focus on competition and crisis as critical phases that can precede armed conflict. He emphasized the importance of viewing these periods as serious warfighting challenges rather than mere transitions between diplomacy and conflict.
Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, head of Special Operations Command, also noted the alarming “convergence” of adversaries across various geographic regions during a discussion at the Reagan National Defense Forum on December 7. This convergence is exemplified by actions such as over 12,000 North Korean troops reportedly fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, as well as Iranian military personnel training Russian forces with munitions supplied by Iran.
Fenton stated, “This is not just Russia fighting Ukraine. It’s Russia, backed by Iranian drones, North Korean personnel, and indirect Chinese contributions.” He added that nation-state adversaries are increasingly collaborating with non-state actors, a trend historically seen between Iran and groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and more recently with the Houthis attacking U.S. and civilian vessels in the Red Sea.
Fenton described the current decade as “decisive,” highlighting the need for a comprehensive response to the converging threats faced by the United States. In 2023, Military Times reported on a West Virginia Army National Guard exercise that involved a collaborative effort among various military branches, local law enforcement, and SOF personnel. Dubbed “Ridge Runner,” the exercise aimed to replicate scenarios that forces might encounter in a European theater, specifically mirroring conditions seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
SOF personnel, primarily Army Green Berets, played a key role in connecting local forces with U.S. military capabilities during the exercise, which simulated a defense against an “invading force.” This reflects a broader trend in irregular warfare, which has been redefined by the Pentagon to focus on countering adversaries rather than solely counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
The integration of psychological operations, civil affairs, and special operations personnel in smaller teams aims to assist allies in competing with and deterring threats from Russia, China, and Iran. Maier underscored that deterrence will be a significant focus for SOF in the coming years, emphasizing the concept of “campaigning,” which traditionally has not been the role for the 70,000-strong U.S. special operations community.
A 2023 report by Becca Waser from the Center for a New American Security outlines the evolving landscape for SOF and conventional forces. The report promotes a “campaigning” approach that links military assets with government resources to confront challenges posed by adversaries like Russia and China, particularly in regional conflicts or natural disasters.
This tailored approach emphasizes the importance of establishing military presence in key geographical regions, such as the Indo-Pacific and Europe, to allow for timely responses to crises and to showcase advanced capabilities to deter adversaries from initiating conflict.
Todd South, a Marine veteran of the Iraq War, has been writing about crime, courts, government, and the military since 2004, earning recognition as a Pulitzer finalist in 2014 for his work on witness intimidation.
