Among SOF’s value proposition is its network and reputation and its expertise in globally shaping friendly, neutral, and adversary perceptions and actions favorably. Since USSOCOM’s inception, SOF have focused campaigning in the gray zone to enhance U.S. strategic influence. They use a full range of expertise and capabilities to assure partners; persuade the undecided; and illuminate, influence, and undermine malign activities. A systematic look at SOF’s role in strategic influence is needed. What are the combinations of capabilities and authorities required to more effectively exert influence and to counter competitor influence? Which components should focus on which core activities in strategic influence? Given that physical operations can be the "loudest" narratives, how do we better synchronize strategic influence with tactical effects? How can joint SOF better exploit insights from academic and business such as social and cognitive psychology, marketing, social media, and the arts of influence and persuasion?
- Brewer, Capt. Jonathan T., "Beyond the Endgame: Sustaining SOF Success with Infinite Game Tactics," AFGC thesis, 2025, 46 pgs.
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Directly addresses how Special Operations Forces (SOF) can systematically overhaul their doctrine to focus on long-term strategic influence rather than short-term tactical victories. Leveraging Academic and Business Disciplines: The author extensively applies the "infinite game" theory—popularized by academic and business theorists James P. Carse and Simon Sinek—to military strategy. This framework argues that because modern strategic competition has no defined endpoint, SOF must shift from a "finite" mindset of immediate battlefield dominance to an "infinite" mindset focused on adaptability, trust-building, and enduring influence. Integrating Necessary Authorities: To execute these long-term strategies, the paper argues that SOF must overcome rigid military budgeting and deployment policies. It recommends expanding "persistent engagement funding," specifically modeled after Section 1202 authorities, which allows SOF to legally and financially sustain long-term irregular warfare and partner-capacity missions outside of traditional, episodic combat appropriations. Synchronizing Tactical Actions with Strategic Messaging: The paper asserts that modern competition is as much about shaping perceptions as it is about battlefield success. It recommends that SOF formally integrate information warfare, psychological operations, and influence-building campaigns directly into their tactical operations. By integrating diplomatic, informational, and economic tools into their missions, SOF can ensure that tactical successes translate into lasting strategic advantages and effectively counter adversary disinformation.
- Hulshizer, Lt. Col. Eric D., "Every Wallet a Target: Fusing Financial and Military Targeting in Strategy for the Decisive Decade," SAASS thesis, 2024, 115 pgs.
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Explains how SOF can enhance its strategic influence by exploiting the economic vulnerabilities of peer adversaries and transnational criminal organizations. Leveraging Academic and Business Disciplines: The paper advocates for a "MIDFIELD" approach to strategy, which incorporates the financial instrument of power alongside military efforts. It recommends utilizing business compliance structures, economics, and financial intelligence to track, disrupt, and dismantle the funding inflows of adversaries like China and Russia. Integrating Necessary Authorities: The author highlights the specific legal frameworks that empower SOF to act in this space, noting that under Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 113, and DoD Directive 5205.14, the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is designated as the lead component for Counter Threat Finance (CTF) activities. This authority allows SOF to synchronize intelligence and interagency efforts to target illicit financial networks globally. Synchronizing Tactical Actions with Strategic Messaging: To maximize influence, the paper recommends creating a federated construct that unites uniformed "financiers" with psychological operations, civil affairs, and cyberspace operations. This SOF-led package allows the military to execute tactical financial disruptions that simultaneously support broader strategic influence campaigns, ultimately creating an "unconventional deterrence" that shapes adversary behavior short of armed conflict.
- Willigenburg, Marije B., "Thinking, Feeling, Caring: Strategic Empathy in Military Strategy," SAASS thesis, 2024, 103 pgs.
- Focused broadly on military strategists, this paper specifically notes how communities like SOF can utilize empathy to build influence and communicate effectively Leveraging Academic and Business Disciplines: The paper draws on psychological and sociological research to build a "Strategic Empathy Framework" consisting of cognitive empathy (thinking), emotional empathy (feeling), and empathic concern (caring). It notes that the military can leverage the existing experience of Special Operations Forces, whose conduct of special warfare is already highly relationship-based and relies on cultivating empathy in tactical and strategic contexts. Synchronizing Tactical Actions with Strategic Messaging: The author argues that empathic understanding must be paired with communication to be effective. By tuning into the emotions and priorities of target audiences, SOF and military strategists can develop "multivocal strategic narratives" that genuinely resonate with competitors, friends, and neutral parties, thereby turning tactical relationships into trust-based strategic influence.