A panel discussion looks into the use of special operations forces to conduct partner operations in the Middle East. This panel examines the use of SOF in the Middle East – past and future. It reveals how SOF operated alongside […]
Recent news, analysis, and commentary about the Middle East – politics, conflict, Iraq withdrawal, and great power competition. Security Overview CENTCOM Now Has Israel. In his last week in office President Trump ordered that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) add Israel […]
The Iranian regime maintains a network of proxies including Lebanese Hezbollah, various Shiite militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and foreign fighters in Syria. This paper by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) provides a look at the problem […]
ME Update 20171022 – Russia helping the Kurds, Iranian proxies gain ground in northern Iraq, Syrian Kurds advance into oil fields, stabilizing Mosul, Raqqa and governance, Iranian influence in Yemen, Salafism in Gaza, British jihadists, and more. Iraq Iranian Proxies Advancing […]
Middle East Update – ISIS downfall in Iraq and Syria, Iranian influence grows, Kurds lose out, easy victory for Baghdad, Raqqa cleared of ISIS (almost), Iraqi elections coming soon, and more. Hawija Offensive. The last urban stronghold of the Islamic […]
Middle East News Update – Obama’s Syrian legacy, seige of Aleppo, using hybrid warfare against Russia, research into Arab politics, U.S. support to Kurds could be better, and more. Obama’s Syrian Legacy. A former NATO supreme allied commander – retired […]
News on the Middle East 20161109 – Civil war in Syria, U.S. deal with Turkey on fighting ISIS in Syria, SDF announces Raqqa offensive, US Apache Gunships, ‘Hearts and Minds’ of Mosul, counter-drone operations, defining military success in Iraq, and […]
The Middle East is still ablaze. Russia is confronting the U.S. in Syria, Assad’s regime is hanging on and actually surviving, Turkey is now engaged in northern Syria and northern Iraq, and Iraqi government forces (assisted by the Peshmerga, militias, […]
Middle East Update 20160827 – News about the war in Iraq, U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, Turkey enters the war, U.S. selling out the Kurds, Lebanon Armed Forces receive $50 million in U.S. military equipment, and more. U.S. Airstrikes […]
Middle East News Update. A combination of news reports over the past week about the Middle East, Syria, Libya, Yemen, State Department failure in Iraq, Russia bombing Syria from Iranian air bases, and (not so smart) recruits for the Islamic […]
The Lead Inspector General quarterly report to the U.S. Congress on counterterrorism efforts in Africa has been published. The report details operations in North and West Africa against al Qaeda, ISIS affiliates, and other terrorist groups over the months of […]
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”.
The Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) serves as a solution for conducting high-speed, autonomous operations in contested military environments. The GARC naval drone is now in use by the U.S. Navy in the Middle East region in support of Operation Epic Fury.
Drone warfare continues to evolve rapidly in March 2026, shaping battlefield dynamics across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and other operational theaters. Low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) remain capable of imposing disproportionate operational and economic costs on technologically advanced military forces.
This week’s SOF News Update covers developments in Iran ceasefire negotiations, SOF Week 2026, Ukraine’s expanding drone campaign, instability in Mali, missile inventory concerns following Operation Epic Fury, emerging AI applications for special operations forces, and global security developments affecting the U.S. special operations and defense community.
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