This week’s SOF News Update covers senior U.S. defense and intelligence appointments, special operations developments, the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, emerging military technology, strategic competition, and global security affairs. It also marks the Extortion 17 anniversary and highlights SOF history, veterans, commentary, and upcoming events.
July’s drone developments highlighted the accelerating shift from experimentation to combat employment. U.S. forces used one-way attack surface vessels, while Ukraine expanded deep-strike operations against Russian energy and logistics networks.
Story by Staff Sgt. Austin Baker, 3rd SFG(A). If you listen to the briefings, you’d think international partnerships are only built around a formal table and greeting with formal handshakes. On the ground, in the dense heat of Côte d’Ivoire, […]
This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting SOF, IW, intelligence, and national security during the past week. Some stories in this update include a new PSYOP unit for Africa, an essay on SOF in 2040, testosterone treatments for SOF members, how technology is shaping the future of SOF in the Pacific, and SOCKOR CoC.
The Pentagon has removed the names of four service members who died in Jordan and Iraq in the past week from the official list of casualties from Operation Epic Fury.
SO/LIC will host an”accelerator” event in D.C. on July 24, 2026, in which companies from more than a dozen companies will have the opportunity to pitch innovation solutions across nine areas related to the military’s special operations community.
The “Strategic Resources in Competion: Critical Minerals & Rare Earth Elements” conference is taking place in Reston, Virginia this week. The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) and the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) are hosting the two-day conference. The gathering will be focused on the role of critical minerals and rare earth elements in strategic competition.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that three U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. One service member was killed in Iraq.
In the spring of 1942, the British conducted a raid on the port of Saint Nazaire, France with the intent to render the drydocks inoperable and deny the German Navy the only safehaven capable of repairing a damaged battleship – the Tirpitz. The mission was a success.
Explore notable special operations community events taking place in August 2026, including nonprofit fundraisers, memorial golf outings, networking opportunities, industry gatherings, an irregular warfare symposium, a theatrical production, and events supporting Green Berets, Navy SEALs, pararescuemen, veterans, and military families.
This week’s SOF News Update covers the NATO Summit in Turkey, renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine’s campaign against Russian logistics, the resurgence of Somali piracy, emerging special operations technologies, and the latest developments affecting national security, intelligence, and irregular warfare worldwide.
The United States launched strikes against more than 80 Iranian military targets after attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington also revoked temporary sanctions relief, signaling a return to economic pressure as tensions with Tehran escalate once again.
This week’s SOF News Update highlights advances in AI-driven intelligence, NATO special operations leadership changes, Ukraine’s evolving long-range strike campaign, developments involving Iran, maritime infrastructure security, and the latest news affecting the global special operations community. Historical milestones, upcoming events, and a featured book review round out the briefing.
Operation THUNDERHEAD was an attempt to rescue U.S. POWs near the tail end of the US involvement in Vietnam involving SEALs and SDVs. The operation involved inserting U.S. Navy SEALs by SDVs onto the coast of North Vietnam.
By Pat Carty. The UK’s Strategic Defence Review, published in June 2025, described Special Forces as the “tip of the spear” for British defence and integrated by design. UK’s Special Forces would also be capable of reaching strategically significant targets […]
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