Investigates the role that international cooperation plays in assisting elite military forces engaged in counter-terrorist operations, particularly hostage rescue efforts.
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 turning 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.
Features
• Numerous photographs and illustrations throughout the book
• A bibliography points to additional reading and sources of information
• 50 illustrations of famous leaders, uniforms, and troops in the field
• A highly detailed chronology of all known special forces activities
Highlights
• Provides comprehensive historical coverage of all known special purpose units in American employ
• Organized chronologically and alphabetically in 13 chapters for ease of access
• Presents extensive bibliographic coverage of all the latest literature
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
Reviews
Along with the history of the respective Special Forces establishments, Taillon identifies principals of unconventional warfare, which will be useful to scholars in the field.—Military Review
This work is a treasure for the student of counter-terrorism and a valuable resource for the specialist.—The Journal of Military History
