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Reports on the participation of the U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) in the Exercise Flintlock which aims to train local militaries in Bassikounou, Mauritania in June 2005. Budget allocated for the initiative; Challenges faced by the SF team in its operation; Factors that contributed to the failure of the exercise.

Examines the military operations of the U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command in Africa. Emergence of Africa as an increasingly important theater of operations as the War on Terrorism is fought; Contention of the author that the global war on terrorism calls for a decentralization command such that former refuge of terrorists is now in Africa; Military exercises initiated by the Army Special Forces.

Reports on the development of an approach to combat called distributed operations by the U.S. Marine Corps. Emphasis on overcoming problems related to traditional, large formations; Reliance on flexible, small-unit expertise and high-tech information networks; Benefits of the approach for the military. INSET: WIRED FOR ACTION.