Special Operations Forces and Counterproliferation: The Interagency Process at Work.

The threat of use of Weapons of Mass Destruction WMD in the United States or against American vital interests overseas is real. Combating the proliferation of WMD has become a high priority for the U.S. Government. Within Department of Defense Counterproliferation Initiative DOD CPI of 1993 Special Operations Forces SOF have become pivotal players in the creation of a full range of military options to counter this threat. SOF provides the National Command Authority NCA with flexible and responsive options. In order to successfully execute any type of CP related special operation, the interagency process must be fully engaged and synchronized. This study assesses the nature of the threat, reviews the evolution of the DOD CPI, and focuses on the use of SOF as an instrument of U.S. policy. Specifically this study explores the connectivity of the interagency process to support a U.S. SOF Counterproliferation mission.