Overview

This original and accessible book is a comprehensive, authoritative analysis of U.S. Special Operations.   U.S. Special Operations Command trains and equips units to undertake select military activities, frequently high-risk missions, often for the purposes of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. Since 9/11, impelled by an attack on U.S. soil, these forces have been a central instrument of America’s military campaign—operating in about one hundred countries on any given day. This fight—neither hot war nor cold peace—was launched and executed as a new type of global war in 2001 and has since splintered into a spectrum of regional conflicts. The result are our nation’s grey wars: hazy and lethal.   This contemporary history, incorporating extensive interviews and archival research by security studies expert N. W. Collins, delves deeply into the transformation of these forces since 9/11.

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9780300198416

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Reviews

U.S. Special Operations Forces are often the subject of films, books, and articles. But they are seldom understood. N.W. Collins brings a deep understanding to her extensively researched history of the operators from the catastrophe of Desert One in 1980 to more successful recent operations against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Her history is accurate, engaging-and indispensable. -Max Boot, author of Invisible Armies: A History of Guerrilla Warfare from Ancient Times to the Present Day Grey Wars provides a gripping account of how the U.S. Special Operations Forces carry out their tasks and deal with the daunting stresses and dangers. Collins combines important insights with vivid portrayals to yield what is not only a most informative history, but also a great read. -Robert Jervis, author of American Foreign Policy in a New Era Somewhere between Lawrence of Arabia, Iran, and Somalia, the Bin Laden mission and ISIS, special operations exist. They are an important tool in America's arsenal, defending, protecting, and keeping the peace. Thoughtful warriors who are expeditionary, unconventional, self-sufficient, mobile, flexible, and highly-trained. N. W. Collins does a wonderful job of telling the special operators' story. A must read for any student of these forces. - Letitia A. Long, Fifth Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Going beyond the myths surrounding our special forces, Collins skillfully captures their culture and roles in this clear-eyed, relevant work. Grey Wars is a unique addition to understanding America's security in the dynamic, post 9-11 world and, notably, those volunteer warriors giving 100 percent to our defense. -General (ret.) Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines, the 26th Secretary of Defense Fascinating, deep-researched, covering the defining moments in modern special operations; a must-read for anyone interested in the post 9/11 world. -Admiral William H. McRaven, USN (ret.), Ninth Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command

Author Information

N. W. Collins is the chair of Defense and Security Studies at Columbia University. Collins has received fellowships and grants from the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the Rockefeller Foundation, Yale University, and the Wilson Center, among others.

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