2025 SOF Imperatives
The 2025 Special Operations Forces Imperatives Document highlights the Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation‘s policy-focused recommendations to support the special operations community for the year.
“In a year marked by complex global challenges and evolving threats, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) remain the most capable force to deter aggression and build partner capacity in defense of our nation. SOF are a critical component of the whole-of-government response that framed the strategic success in the Cold War, so naturally demand from Combatant Commanders for SOF deployments to every operational theater continues to grow. Simultaneously, SOF must maintain their mastery as the nation’s primary crisis response and counterterrorism force. Yet, despite this substantial mission set, the U.S. Special Operations Command budget remains frozen at 2019 levels. A quick glance at conflict zones in Ukraine, Israel, and Syria as well the strategic competitors in China and Russia underscores the urgent need for more funding to sustain SOF’s competitive edge in an unpredictable world.
It is in this context that the Global SOF Foundation releases the 2025 SOF Imperatives document to the U.S. Congress. The Global SOF Foundation remains steadfast in its belief that the world’s special operations forces provide unique and irreplaceable strategic value to their nations. SOF, combined with precision weapons, modern intelligence capabilities, and innovative and nonconventional platforms like autonomous systems, will continue to have a direct impact for any nation willing to employ them. SOF capabilities yield exponential returns, as SOF’s competitive advantage is its network of partnerships and mutual trust built over decades of enduring engagement. SOF also operate to the left of conflict, deploying in every environment to disrupt adversaries and execute precise, targeted missions that further strategic interests.
As demand for U.S. SOF surges it is imperative to double SOF investment to maintain a decisive advantage in an increasingly complex and competitive global landscape.”
This document is 8 pages long and highlights strategic issues, irregular warfare, acquisition, and operations.
2025 SOF Imperatives forum (Virtual)
ABOUT:
The Special Operations Forces (SOF) Imperatives Forum is an annual event hosted by the Global SOF Foundation that convenes Special Operations stakeholders and policymakers to discuss issues and opportunities facing the community.
The 2025 event was converted to a virtual event due to weather conditions in Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2025.
