Home > Open Access Journals > JSS > Vol. 18 > No. 3 (2025)
Author Biography
Mirko Tasic is an Associate Professor of International and Comparative Politics at the American University of Central Asia. His research focuses on political theory, international security, and comparative politics.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.3.2357
Subject Area Keywords
Conflict studies, International relations, International security, Strategy, War studies
Abstract
The legitimacy of special operations forces (SOFs) and private military and security companies (PMSCs) often resides in a legal gray area, especially for those operating under the patronage of states that deviate from neoliberal standards and are sometimes labeled as criminal groups or terrorist organizations. This study aimed to develop a framework for categorizing the organizational and operational models of such SOFs and PMSCs. The three primary categories used were: mercantilistic, ideological, and ideological-mercantilistic. A comparative analysis of Iran’s Quds Force, Russia’s Wagner Group, and FR Yugoslavia’s JSO was conducted to better understand the impact of these and similar actors on contemporary socio-political changes.
Recommended Citation
Tasic, Mirko. "SOFs and PMSCs: Factors of Stability and Change." Journal of Strategic Security 18, no. 3 (2025)
: 299-319.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.3.2357
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol18/iss3/18
