This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. SOCAFRICA Flintlock exercise ends. One soldier missing and one deceased as AFRICOM’s African Lion exercise comes to a close.
This past week, Iran attacked U.S. naval vessels, commercial shipping, and facilities in the United Arab Emirates. The “Freedom Project” has been suspended. A 30-day ceasefire is under consideration. Iran continues to resist giving up its control of the Strait of Hormuz, enriched urainian, or its nuclear program.
In May 2026 the White House released its 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy document outlining the terrorist threat, CT principles, CT priorities, and goals of CT strategy. It goes on to describe CT resources, and more.
SOF Week 2026 will be held in May in Tampa, Florida. This event, co-hosted by USSOCOM and the Global SOF Foundation is an opportunity for members of the international SOF community to gather for a series of presentations, panel discussions, and displays and demonstrations by industries supporting SOF.
Weekly SOF update covering Iran ceasefire proposals, USSOCOM force design changes, Ukraine battlefield trends, AI integration in defense, and global security developments. Analysis includes maritime disruption, Russian territorial losses, and evolving strategic competition across multiple theaters.
Leaders from U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Cyber Command, and the War Department testified on the posture of each combatant command and their defense authorization request for fiscal year 2027.
This update on Operation Epic Fury provides an update on the ceasefire, negotiations, the naval blockades, economic impact, and CENTCOM briefing to the president. The war cost thus far: $25 billion, crude oil up to $124/barrel, carrier leaves Middle East, and an effort to form a coalition named “Maritime Freedom Construct”.
News updates on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including latest drone technology and use in conflicts around the world. Topics include U.S. military drones, UAS in the Russia-Ukraine War, autonomous systems in the Iran War, and drone news from around the world.
Ground drones are used by both the Ukrainians and the Russians for reconnaissance, delivering explosives on target, resupply, medical evacuation, fires, and other missions. These remotely piloted ground vehicles are saving lives on the battlefield – by performing the tasks that an infantryman would normally do.
The new isolationism dismissing U.S. forward engagement in East Africa – misunderstands the nature of the Al Shabaab threat to the homeland.
News, analysis, and commentary on special operations, conflicts, national security, and defense issues. Ukraine, Iran, technology, drones, A-10 lives on, defense budget, Global Terrorism Index, and more.
JNIM and Tuareg rebels have launched a major offensive across Mali attacking government troops and Russia’s Africa Corps in key cities to include the capital. A major city in the north may have fallen.
Video and Transcript: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine conduct a press briefing about Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 24, 2026.
An update on Operation Epic Fury – the U.S. – Iran conflict. While a ceasefire is still in effect there is a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by both Iran and the U.S. Negotiations are at a impasse and there are significant economic impacts around the globe.
Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao is now the Acting Secretary of the Navy as of April 22, 2026. He is a retired naval officer with combat experience. He is taking over the duties of Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan who is departing the administration immediately.
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