Logo: to the web site of the Swedish Defence University

The current global military and political state has brought about the term grey area. A grey area refers to an uncertain and ill-defined situation where activities that occur within the area do not relate to a set of rules. In an era without distinct boundaries between peace, crisis and war the utilization of unconventional methods of warfare increases. Therefore, the capability to conduct military operations with strategic outcomes by means of few resources and deniability is essential amongst armed forces. Special operations meet those requirements and have the ability to carry out military operations across the boundaries of warfare. 

Admiral William H. McRaven has developed a unique theory regarding special operations and formulated the term relative superiority. In order to achieve relative superiority a special operation must be conducted with six principles in mind. These principles consist of simplicity, repetition, security, surprise, speed and purpose.  The scope of this thesis is to examine the theory’s transferability by conducting a case study of OPERATION STORM-333, the Soviet assault on Tajbeg palace in Kabul in 1979.

The results of this study show that every principle of McRaven’s theory regarding relative superiority was present during the Soviet assault on Tajbeg palace. Furthermore, the results’ conclusions indicate that the theory’s transferability can be ascertained within a Soviet context. This study contributes to the research of special operations and brings a new perspective to McRaven’s theory.