The Rise Of Western Covert Ops

Analysis - The Rise And Rise Of Western Covert Ops -- Reuters

Four months ago, Admiral William McRaven commanded the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. Now, as the new head of U.S. special forces, he argues that his shadowy, secretive warriors are increasingly central to how America and its allies fight.

When the suntanned, towering SEAL testified to the Congressional House Armed Services Committee in September, just a few weeks after he took over his new role, he used posters detailing the growth of his forces. In the decade since September 11 2001, U.S. Special Operations Command personnel numbers have doubled, its budget tripled and deployments quadrupled.

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My Comment: The following sentence sums up the growth of special forces ....

.... since September 11 2001, U.S. Special Operations Command personnel numbers have doubled, its budget tripled and deployments quadrupled.

Can this be sustained .... can it succeed .... only time will tell, but for politicians .... sending special forces to a trouble spot costs less, results in less body bags, and blow-back is (we hope) minimized.