What is a key objective of Special Warfare campaigns?

A key objective of Special Warfare campaigns is to operate with local partners rather than alone. This approach focuses on building strong relationships with indigenous forces and populations, enhancing their capacity to address security challenges in their own regions. By working with local partners, Special Warfare operations can leverage local knowledge, cultural understanding, and existing networks, which often leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Collaboration with local forces also helps in fostering trust and legitimacy among the population, making it more likely that the efforts of the U.S. military will be accepted and supported. This cooperative approach minimizes the footprint of U.S. forces, helps in building the capacity of allied nations to ensure their own security, and encourages local ownership of security challenges, which is critical for long-term stability.

The focus on partnership contrasts sharply with unilateral operations or direct confrontational tactics, which may not only be less sustainable but also risk alienating local populations and complicating relationships. Operating with local partners reflects a strategic shift in military operations toward more adaptive, culturally sensitive, and collaborative methods of engagement in conflict zones.