Recent conflicts have shown signs of increased operational usage of Special Operation Forces, conducting qualified missions of great strategical importance. However, the field of theoretical understanding within the subject suffers from limitations in scientifically based studies. Which aims to explain how special operations succeed on a strategical level. Although several researchers agree on the need for further studies within the subject, there are uncertainties whether theory should be developed upon classical or modern principles of war. Adam Leong Kok Wey has constructed a theoretical framework, in which eight historically rooted principles within special operations are presented. Wey claims that classical principles of war can be used to explain how modern special operations succeed. This study has been conducted in order to test whether Wey’s principles can explain the result of two contemporary cases. The result shows that all of the eight principles were present during the successful Operation Neptune Spear, whilst all but one was absent during the failed Bravo Two-Zero mission. Conclusions from this study can be drawn, which suggests an increase in explanatory power of Wey’s theoretical framework. Furthermore, suggesting that contemporary special operations theory can be developed upon classical principles of war.

Special operations are those operations that conventional units are not considered capable of preforming. Although the importance of special operations has increased, there are limited theories about these operations. Furthermore, the theories that do exist are considered too low empirically tested. In addition, there is a debate about whether more theories about special operations should be developed or whether there are enough theories for research of special operations. The purpose of this study is to contribute to this debate. To do this, Leong Kok Wey's theory is tested against two cases.  Wey uses 2,000-year-old principles to explain how a special operation should be successful. The method used is a theory-testing two-case study where the cases are examined based on qualitative text analysis. The two selected cases are Operation Deadstick, the British airborne assault during D-Day, and Operation Prelim, the British SAS sabotage of eleven aircraft during the Falklands War. Both cases are considered successful special operations. The results show that most of the principles can be identified in both cases and therefor strengthens Wey’s theory. However, one of the principles cannot be identified at all in any of the cases.