Reference no: EM132130591

Respond to the following: Answer the discussion(X2). Include at least 2 references.

A good response to a written question should combine your personal experiences with theory to support your work. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis. A good response to the question should be about 3-4 paragraphs, and address all of the issues that are raised. (Introduction, body and conclusion.) Thank you.

D1: The Military's Elite Counterterrorism Units

Many nations have both police and military elite units who are highly trained, but sometimes find themselves in ambiguous political situations or tenuous operational conditions. Special operations are often high-risk, high-gain, and some critics say conventional forces can accomplish the same objectives and goals. How necessary are elite counterterrorism units?

Respond to the following:

1. How necessary and effective are elite counterterrorism units? Why?

What other counterterrorist options do you think may be effective without resorting to the deployment of elite units?

D2: Elite Counterterrorism Unit Operations

Elite military and police counterterrorism units have been mustered into the security establishments of many nations. Many of these units include highly trained professionals who can operate in a number of environments under extremely hazardous conditions. Their missions include hostage rescues, punitive strikes, abductions, and reconnaissance operations.

When elite units perform well, the outcomes include rescued hostages, resolved crises, and disrupted terrorist environments. However, these units sometimes find themselves involved in ambiguous political situations or tenuous operational conditions. In other words, special operations are often high-risk, high-gain situations.

Nevertheless, proponents of elite counterterrorist units argue that conventional forces are not trained or configured to fight "shadow wars"-only special operations forces can do so. Critics of these units argue that conventional forces can accomplish the same objectives and goals and that, aside from the very good special operations units, other elite units have not proven themselves to be very effective.
Historical examples suggest that the deployment of special operations forces is a high-risk and high-gain option

Respond to the following:

2. Which counterterrorist options do you think work most efficiently in conjunction with elite units? Which options work less efficiently?
In the long term, do you think elite units have an impact on the war against international terrorism?