Q&A: Covert operations

As American and British forces continue to prepare for military action in Afghanistan - what are they planning to do, and how?

Ian Wright, a former Major in the British Army and an expert on covert operations against terrorists, assesses some of the military options and answers the key questions.

How prepared are special forces for operations in countries such as Afghanistan?

Special forces maintain the highest levels of readiness for all types of operations in any part of the world.

They are permanently prepared to deploy at short notice.

They maintain exceptional levels of training and a detailed knowledge of all areas where there is a possibility of deployment.

Afghanistan's mountains and deserts pose environmental problems but special forces are trained to operate in all conditions.

What sort of intelligence gathering methods will be used prior to military operations?

Satellites, aircraft and electronic eavesdropping will provide information and intelligence about what is happening within Afghanistan and allow detailed military planning.

However, a key requirement will be to identify the location of Osama Bin Laden and his lieutenants.

Local knowledge gathered from sources such as the Northern Alliance and disaffected Afghans will be a vital source of intelligence.

What sort of targets are likely to be attacked?

The overall strategy is to destroy the terrorists' capability and intent to attack.

Non-military action against terrorists' finance, their ability to travel, to "steal" identities and to co-ordinate attacks is as important as military action to neutralise their leadership, their capabilities and training facilities.

Military targets will include terrorist leaders and their training camps.

Other targets, such as the air defence systems of regimes supporting terrorism, may have to be neutralised to facilitate attacks against the terrorists.

What is the likely sequence of events when special forces operations begin?

Special forces are likely to be the first troops on the ground.

They will be used to ensure that the best possible target information is available.

They may just provide detailed environmental and target information for conventional forces.

However, they are capable of conducting independent surgical operations to neutralise terrorist leaders or destroy training camps.

Special forces operations may occur without the public ever being made aware.

Importantly, special forces' capabilities mean that terrorist leaders have to guard against all threats, from silent abduction in the dead of night, to guided munitions coming through the window.

What sort of weapons will the coalition forces deploy?

The choice of weapon will be dependent on the target, the target's location and the required outcome.

Cruise missiles can be used with pinpoint accuracy.

"Smart" munitions can achieve similar results.

"Dumb" bombs may be used to destroy large training camps.

Surgical operations carried out by lightly armed, highly mobile forces may be used to neutralise terrorist leaders.

How much of a factor is the weather and the coming winter?

Winter conditions will complicate intelligence gathering, operations and logistic support.

It will reduce mobility but it is not a "show stopper".

Special forces are trained to operate in any environment.

The Royal Marines have specialist troops trained in Arctic and mountain warfare.

Other nations have experience operating in adverse climatic conditions.

The Afghan winter provides a harsh environment, but one in which most of the coalition forces are trained to operate.

It may cause more problems for Bin Laden.

He should not rely on the winter for protection.

How much do we know about Bin Laden's defences?

Bin Laden's organisation, established to mount terrorist attacks, is not equipped to defend itself against a conventional military force.

He may be relying on Taleban forces and their dated Soviet air defence systems.

If required, American military power could neutralise any Taleban defence of Bin Laden.

He may have a considerable and fanatical personal guard which could provide a degree of close protection.

But such a guard would draw unwanted attention and highlight his position.

His best defence is probably a combination of anonymity and mobility.

However, as the world's most wanted man and with the winter closing in, he will not feel safe to stay put and the weather will restrict his mobility.

In reality he has little defence.

It is just a question of time. He will be found and he will not be able to defend himself.