The Changing Role of Airpower against Transnational Sanctuaries

Since 9/11 the US has relied on the use of airpower to strike terrorists in transnational sanctuaries. Remarkably, the recent use of airpower against transnational terrorists has often been controlled/directed by the CIA rather than the military, though both have played a role. Additionally, following the attacks on 9/11, the employment of airpower has focused on single attacks by single aircraft versus the strike packages normally employed by countries against transnational threats up through the 1990's. The literature on this topic though, is limited to minor references in most books and articles dealing with terrorism and insurgencies since 9/11. Few detailed studies, and nothing in Air Force Doctrine specifically cover the history of and reasoning behind choosing airpower to attack transnational sanctuaries or the strengths and limitations of airpower in that role since 9/11. Following World War II, most western nations experience of war has not been conventional but rather, various forms of irregular warfare. Examples include the French in Algeria and Vietnam, the South Africans and Rhodesians in southern Africa, the US in Vietnam and Central America, the Soviets in Afghanistan and the Israeli's since 1973 in Lebanon and the occupied territories.