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| Interviewee: | Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low-Intensity Conflict, and Interdependent Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Interviewer: | Greg Bruno, Staff writer |
July 24, 2008
Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael G. Vickers was among the key architects behind the paramilitary operation that drove the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Now, three decades later, he is the top civilian advisor in the Pentagon on the capabilities of Special Operations forces, the fastest growing branch of the U.S. military. That growth is likely to continue. In Iraq, for example, Vickers says he expects Special Operations Forces to "remain at their current levels for a significant period of time" after the majority of conventional U.S. forces leave. He also expects a protracted Special Operations presence in Afghanistan.
Beyond the current war zones, Vickers says the Pentagon is watching "scores" of high-priority countries in the global fight against terror. And while Vickers says the battle against extremism "is fundamentally winnable," victory will take years. "Most irregular wars take time to win. They typically take a decade or more when they involve a single country," he says. "One that takes advantage of globalization and spans continents can be expected to take at least that amount of time, or more."
Among the other questions Vickers answers:
This an audio excerpt from CFR.org's interview with Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael G. Vickers. Read the full interview here.
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