A remedy to crises: Danish special operations forces in whole-of-government stabilization engagements

In 2013, the Danish government crafted a policy to guide its integrated stabilization efforts in fragile and conflict-affected states, emphasizing the prevention of violent conflict. This capstone project provides recommendations and guidelines for Danish politicians and the Danish defense command to operationalize this policy and define the supportive role that Danish special operations forces (DANSOF) can play. The capstone draws from a rich body of stabilization literature to provide working definitions for a whole-of-government approach; goals, measures of success, and risk assessment; capacity- and state-building strategies; and the incorporation of intelligence and information operations. This research also considers DANSOF capabilities and recent involvement in Afghanistan to identify the various roles DANSOF can play in stabilization operations. To increase the chances of successful stabilization efforts, it is essential that international efforts be well coordinated, including goals, ways, and means. This capstone recommends that DANSOF can support these efforts in roles such as prevention, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and assessment, security, capacity building, support to national and international agencies, and liaison with international agencies and local authorities.http://archive.org/details/aremedytocrisesd1094549387Major Danish SOPLiutenant Commander, Danish SOFApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited