Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command

Washington Times: Special Ops targets social media

U.S. special operations forces, elite commandos engaged in high-risk operations around the world, are adding a new focus to their portfolio of activities: social media and other unconventional information warfare threats.

“Social media is another component of unconventional strategies, and the security environment in general, that is playing a central role in recruiting individuals to causes,” Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said Wednesday in prepared testimony to the House Armed Services Committee.

“We must therefore develop our ability to interact with key influencers through this medium, or else risk blinding ourselves to this important conduit of information and influence in unfolding crises,” Gen. Votel said.

Update: Pentagon Special Ops Forces' New Task: Information Warfare -- Sputnik

WNU Editor: I can understand why US Special Operations Command is now focusing on unconventional information warfare .... the Islamic State has shown how effective of a platform it is in recruiting supporters and gaining intel. But is this the right organization to focus on this? I have my doubts .... social media is a forum that requires 100% dedication and focus in order to be successful .... but it looks like the warriors in U.S. Special Forces are now going to have additional duties and responsibilities on top of what they are doing right now.