Overview

In the two years since the Unified Command Plan (UCP) was changed to designate U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) as the lead Department of Defense (DoD) synchronizer for all countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) plans, tangible progress has been slow. Organizations such as the Pentagon's Unity of Effort Council and SOCOM's CWMD Fusion Center are billed on paper as entities that can assist SOCOM in understanding the nuclear counterproliferation problem and help SOCOM plan responses to a WMD event. However, few people within these organizations understand the problem, are connected with the relevant agencies within the U.S. government (USG), and have a clear sense of what needs to occur. Even fewer members of the CWMD community across the interagency (IA) are aware of SOCOM's efforts. This study analyzes SOCOM's contribution to the USG nuclear counterproliferation mission and arrives at four conclusions. First, Theater Special Operation Commands (TSOCs) are the best postured in the DoD to contribute to a nuclear CP mission. Second, TSOCs can leverage the experience of Theater Special Operations forces. Third, TSOCs must ensure that their personnel receive basic knowledge of nuclear technologies, proliferation networks, and USG strategy and policy related to nuclear non-proliferation and counterproliferation. Finally, SOCOM must properly integrate personnel within the interagency to properly contribute to ongoing counterproliferation efforts.This compilation includes a reproduction of the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.I. Introduction * A. Background * B. The Role of SOCOM in Counterproliferation * C. Literature Review * D. Scope of Research and Assumptions * E. Methodology * II. The Role of a Theater Special Operations Command in Nuclear Counterproliferation * A. Description of a TSOC * B. TSOC Suitability For Nuclear Counterproliferation Operations * C. TSOCs Gaps and Limitations * D. Optimizing the TSOC * III. Potential TSOC Role in USG Counterproliferation Efforts Against a State Actor * A. Introduction * B. Scenario * C. Assumptions * D. The Task * E. Deploy SOCFWDS * F. Prepare The Environment * G. Employ A Partner Force * H. Adjust TSOC Structure * I. Sum of Effects * J. Conclusion * IV. Recommendations * A. Organizational Structure * B. More Effective Collaboration With the IA * C. Where the Contributions of TSOCs LieIn the two years that have passed since the Unified Command Plan (UCP) was changed to designate U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) as the lead Department of Defense (DoD) synchronizer for all countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) plans, tangible progress has been slow. The DoD CWMD campaign plan has yet to be completed, little collaboration with the interagency (IA) has transpired, and tangible effects in the mission space have yet to be realized. Meanwhile, the threat of nuclear proliferation continues to metastasize. This research examines potential ways Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) can contribute to SOCOMs and the United States government's (USG) nuclear counterproliferation (CP) efforts against an adversarial state actor.

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9781093900996

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