In 1991, Coalition forces were active deep inside Iraq, hunting down SCUD missiles and their launchers before they could be fired. In 2011, special forces were responsible for the assassination of the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. In the intervening 20 years, elite military formations played an increasingly important role in the policing of the modern world. SAS and Elite Forces Guide: Special Forces in Action is a detailed account of the operations of the world's special forces from 1991 to the present day. From the Gulf War to the invasion of Iraq, via the war in Afghanistan, the search for war criminals in the Balkans, drug baron hunting in South America, hostage rescues in Africa, and the counter-terrorist initiatives since 9/11, the book brings the reader full details of the often clandestine and varied roles of the world's elite soldiers. Presented in a handy pocketbook format, SAS and Elite Forces Guide: Special Forces in Action shows how the world's special forces have become a vital part of any government's military machine and the roles that they have played in recent world events. Authoritatively written and illustrated with more than 150 black and white photographs and artworks, the book is an expert account of recent operations by the world's most elite forces.