In 2011, the former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Admiral Eric T. Olson highlighted a strategic focus for Special Operations Forces (SOF). He discussed placing greater emphasis on the "unlit spaces" around the globe to, "deal with the emerging threats from the places where the lights aren't." Relatively little literature exists discussing unlit spaces. This monograph attempts to clarify the concept of unlit spaces as an umbrella term for a multitude of potential political areas of interest using the context of categories of unlit spaces. The question of an unlit space is a question of what characteristics make a space fall under this categorization. Factors highlighting the governing structure in relation to the darkness of an area are particularly important for SOF operational planning because the sensitivity of SOF operations is proportional to the extent with which the United States decides to take intrusive actions into a region. This is especially true with regard to SOF missions that take place within the human domain. It is the human domain that makes an unlit space unique and distinct, and it is the human domain that creates accessibility risks to SOF. This monograph will look at case examples of Afghanistan and Somalia and how their unique settings during different time periods factor into planning considerations for conducting unconventional warfare in such unlit spaces.

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.)