Non-state Special Operations

This book examines how violent non-state actors (VNSAs) emulate and develop military special operation capabilities. Building on previous research on Islamic State special operations, the book develops a theoretical framework surrounding a typology of VNSA (militants, proxies, criminal/cults, and mercenaries) to explore variations of non-state special operations, with multiple cases for each category of actor. Understanding when and why VNSAs use special operations provides insights into the inn