This study investigates the role of Special Operations Forces in the other than war environment of Haiti during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. It is specifically concerned with the potential of nonstate actors to either assist or hinder Special Operations Forces in the attainment of national and military objectives. In view of the fact that Haiti is only one case study, this thesis concentrates on current U.S. Army and Joint doctrine for operations other than war using Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY as a measure of their effectiveness. The thesis concludes that current doctrine is generally effective and useful for planning and conducting future operations. The study noted that current doctrine promotes the idea that association with some nonstate actors would have the effect of inadvertently legitimizing them. This study suggests that association with the Haitian Armed Forces and the nonstate actor, Front for Advancement and Progress of Haiti actually degraded legitimacy of U.S. forces, while the legitimacy of the nonstate actor and the Haitian Armed Forces was not enhanced. The study suggests that working with nongovernment organizations on a basis of convenience, rather that a contractual basis, hindered SOF ability to achieve unity of effort and the social and economic end state.

ADA 312251 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.)