The Evolution of Special Forces in Counter-Terrorism: The British and American Experiences

by J. Paul D. Taillon

Overview

The threat of terrorism knows no borders, and, given the complexities of today's global system, no nation can afford to stand alone. This study considers the role that international cooperation plays in assisting elite military forces engaged in low-intensity and counter-terrorist operations, particularly hostage rescue efforts. Using historical examples from the experiences of Great Britain and the United States, the author concludes that cooperation (ranging from shared intelligence, to forward base access, to the provision of observers) can provide significant advantages in dealing with low-intensity operations. However, the most fruitful joint efforts involve shared activities by countries that possess a similar threat perception, usually in part a result of a common sociology in their view of historical developments.

Before turbaning to modern counter-terrorism, Taillon addresses the respective military experiences of Britain and America within the wider realm of conventional and low-intensity operations. The main Anglo-American focus of the book gives primary importance to the developments and doctrine for the employment of special forces, as well as an analysis of more recent low-intensity and counter-terrorism operations, such as the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London and the failure, that same year, of the American hostage rescue attempt in Teheran. Taillon hopes to identify and highlight those key aspects of cooperation at an international level which have, at least in part, been absolutely essential to successful counter-terrorist operations in the past and which seem destined to remain so in the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275969226
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/2000
Series:	Praeger Studies in Diplomacy and Strategic Thought
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

J. PAUL DE B. TAILLON is an Adjunct Professor for War Studies at the Royal Military College (RMC), Kingston Ontario./e He has lectured on security and intelligence issues at the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, the Advanced Military Studies Course (AMSC), and the National Security Studies Course (NSSC) in Toronto. He works as an analyst in the national security and intelligence field.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Evolution of British Forces in Low-Intensity Conflict
British Special Forces in Low-Intensity Conflict
The Evolution and Role of British Special Forces
The Iranian Embassy Siege - London 30 April - 5 May 1980
The Evolution of American Forces in Low-Intensity Conflict
American Special Forces
The Evolution and Role of American Special Forces
Operation Eagle Claw—Delta's Raid into Iran
Considerations and Conclusions
Final Considerations
Conclusions
Appendix 1: Total Anti-U.S. Attacks, 1999
Appendix 2: Total International Terrorist Attacks, 1979-99
Appendix 3: Total International Attacks by Region, 1993-99
Appendix 4: Pattern of Revolutionary Warfare: Sequence of Insurgent Action
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

De B. Taillon (war studies, Royal Military College, Kigston Ontario) discusses the evolution of the use of special forces units in fighting terrorism. He outlines the development of this approach in the United Kingdom and the United States, and evaluates their performance in low- intensity conflict. Special consideration is given to hostage situations, with attention focusing on issues of intelligence, forward-basing, communications, training assistance, and political consequences. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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