France
COS v DGSE controversy aired in parliamentary hearing
At a hearing on 13 January, General Eric Vidaud, the [...]
The COS (Commandement des Operations Speciales), France’s special operations command, has authority over all of the French forces’ Special Forces units. Based on the model of the USSOCOM, the COS reports directly to the chief of defence staff and often operates under the orders of the French president. It is frequently in competition with the DGSE’s Service Action on clandestine operations.