Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist organizations are using wide and multiple areas of Africa, particularly from northern Mali to southern Libya, as safe havens in order to train and funnel troops and funding and launch attacks against various targets throughout Africa. They then return to those safe havens to rest, refit, and re-equip. This thesis will analyze whether special operations are uniquely qualified to capitalize on Title 10 authorities such as counterterrorism, direct action, and foreign internal defense to control, manage, and-or dismantle extremist groups that exploit sanctuaries.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)