Tripoli/Baraawe - Special Forces methodology

First, please see my post from Saturday (I've updated with new information). 

Reports suggest that the US Army's ACE (aka Delta Force) was involved in the Tripoli operation to seize al-Liby. This news shouldn't surprise anyone. After all, we already know that the FBI/CIA were involved in the capture. In that vein, Delta's involvement would have afforded an extra contingency capability had al-Liby/allies resisted the strike team. As this video illustrates, direct action orientated special forces (like Delta) focus on overpowering their adversaries with speed and overwhelming force. The key to their tactical methodology is to psychologically and physically dominate a target in a manner that denies the opportunity for effective resistance.

That being said...

The SEAL raid against the Baraawe compound illustrates an equally important counterpoint - even Tier One SMUs have their limits. In terms of the Baraawe assault, once the SEALs presence became known, the odds quickly shifted against them. In short, they were outmanned and outgunned in hostile territory. At that point, they were forced to withdraw under fire. 

Taken together, the Tripoli/Baraawe operations speak to two fundamental truths. 

First, that a small group of highly trained individuals can achieve a major strategic effect (whether removing one senior Al Qa'ida leader from the battlefield - or eviscerating an enemy network*). Second, that special forces are neither superhuman nor bullet proof. In the end, the employment of these forces requires a situationally weighted calculation of risk v reward and a policymaker understanding that Von Moltke's law continues to abide- "No plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy.''

*  1) If you prefer a video explanation... click here. 2) I'm very astute to growing insecurity in Iraq.

Please see related links.

Skill and Luck - The Keys to Successful Tactical Resolutions

Miami-Dade SWAT have implemented a successful takedown of an apparently crazed gunman. The suspect was killed after he threatened the lives of two hostages he was holding. From video that's been released, it's obvious that the SWAT team was in a position of great danger. But, as with all tactical resolutions, they had to balance this risk with the need to preserve life. The need, in this case, to save the hostages. It's worth noting that security forces regularly receive great criticism when they're perceived to have overstepped the line in terms of force application. See criticisms (I do not share) of Operation Flavius. However, the skills required for the formation and maintenance of top level tactical teams are undeniably significant. From France to the FBI, hostage crisis situations can arise anywhere and at any time. The difficulty of achieving a successful resolution to these challenges is magnified greatly when the target is located abroad. As evidenced by DEVGRU's January 2012 rescue operation in Somalia and the British SBS operation in March 2012 Nigeria, sometimes things go well and sometimes things go badly. 

Ultimately, effective tactical teams require a sustained level of investment, operational flexibility and rigorous standards for entry. Achieving this balanced dynamic explains how, in recent years, the British SAS were able to do this. And DEVGRU do this. And ACE (aka Delta Force) do this. We're lucky to have them.