U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has released its latest vision statement which openly names Russia and China as the command's main adversaries, a far cry from past years when military officials seemed to go out of their way to avoid mentioning China as an antagonist.
The document goes on to name North Korea, Iran, and violent extremist organizations as secondary threats. China is singled out as being the biggest challenge for Special Operations Command moving forward.
"China is currently the only nation capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to rival the U.S. and destabilize the international system that has advanced our interests for 75 years. China aims to promote its own authoritarian model of government, coerce regional states to accept its expansive claims, and undermine our global influence and interests, while strengthening its economic power and military capability," the document states, apparently recognizing the threat of political warfare which mobilizes every facet of government.
The document also states that Russia, "continues to provoke instability and sow division among the U.S. and its allies and partners, seizing opportunities to bolster autocratic regimes and gain political, economic, or military benefits. Russia demonstrates determination to use its considerable resources and capabilities to enhance its global influence, challenge our interests, and disrupt globally."
Related
Special Operations Forces have been deployed constantly throughout the last 21 years to fight to Global War on Terror and have chalked up some stunning tactical successes, but also must confront the fact that they participated in two failed wars, including a disastrous exit from Afghanistan. Perhaps in recognition of this, SOCOM states that their future strategic goal is to, "compete and win for the nation."
In addition to the many tasks SOCOM is assigned, from counter-terrorism to interdicting weapons of mass destruction, the document also emphasizes efforts to preserve the families of SOCOM soldiers, increase diversity in their formations, and hold their own leaders accountable.
Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR. Want to get more connected to the stories and resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Related
