The Heat: US Special Forces in the global war on terror

Islamic Extremism

What took place over the weekend in Somalia is part of what is known in the West as the “Global War on Terror” — many aspects of which are part of an invisible campaign led by the United States to neutralize Islamic insurgents wherever they may be.

According to the U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Forces were deployed in 133 countries around the world during the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2014. 

Their mission ranged from killing or capturing insurgents to training others. In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. Special Operations were deployed to over 80 countries — with most operating under the public radar — according to the Cato Institute, a DC-based think tank.

CCTV America’s Sean Callebs reports.

The Heat spoke to these guests about deploying U.S. Special Forces in the global war on terror:

  • Frank Romano, a professor of law, history and Middle East Studies at the University of Paris.
  • Benjamin Friedman, focuses on defense and homeland security as a Research Fellow with the Cato Institute.
  • Peter Van Buren, an author and former U.S. Foreign Service Officer.
  • Mike Baker, a counterterrorism expert, he spent 17 years as a CIA covert operations officer.