Taking Off the Blinders Regarding Special Forces Strategic Utility

by Hy Rothstein

Published June 1, 2026 by Small Wars Journal

This article argues that Special Forces (SF) lack true “strategic utility” not because of capability gaps, but because of institutional constraints—especially those rooted in the American way of war. SF’s true value is not in supporting battles—but in shaping the environment so battles are unnecessary, smaller, or already decided.

READ HERE: Taking Off the Blinders Regarding Special Forces Strategic Utility