Special operators seek greater cooperation from foreign forces.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: SPECIAL OPERATIONS

The U.S. Special Operations Command increasingly will focus on recruiting and training "surrogate" forces in countries where terrorist are known to thrive, officials said.

Congress last year approriated $25 million for SOCOM to kick-start efforts to help boost the military capabilities of countries that have weak governments, but nevertheless are viewed by the United States as necessary allies in the fight against Islamic extremists and other groups.

"As a nation, we must identify and address those 'ungoverned spaces,'" said Thomas W. O'Connell, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

The funds will permit U.S. commandos to recruit and train "surrogate forces in areas that offer exceptional opportunities for success in the global war on terrorism," O'Connell told the Senate armed services subcommittee on emerging threats and capabilities.

The legislation passed by Congress last year allows SOCOM to spend $25 million "during any fiscal year before fiscal year 2008 to provide support to foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals engaged in supporting or facilitating ongoing military operations by U.S. special operations combating terrorism."

The specific countries that will receive training under this program have yet to be determined, said Wade Y. Ishimoto, a senior advisor to O'Connell. "The first priority is to look at those countries where we can get the biggest bang for the buck," Ishimoto told National Defense. What that means, he explained, is "helping those countries build their capacity to deal with terrorism. In particular, those countries that are focused on fighting Islamic extremists."

Most likely, he added, the "main emphasis will be on underdeveloped countries. Afghanistan will probably come out high on the list."

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