352d Air Commando Medics

SOF Weekly Brief – Nov 2, 2026

November 2, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief covers USSOCOM drone acquisitions, resilient communications, Maven AI targeting, Russian battlefield losses in Ukraine, German special forces preparations, Russian information operations in Africa, the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement, and developments in unconventional warfare, national security, and strategic competition.

Navy Search and Recovery Exercise Middle East

SOF Weekly Brief – Oct 26, 2026

October 26, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Brief covers changes in U.S. special operations forces, emerging defense capabilities, SOF operations in Ukraine, fighting in Yemen, international security developments, historical special operations missions, and analysis of irregular warfare and national security issues.

SEALs Operate Submarine Propulsion Vehicle

SOF Weekly Brief – Oct 19, 2026

October 19, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Update covers the activation of SPACEFOR-SOC, evolving Army special operations missions, U.S. counternarcotics operations in Latin America, the Russia-Ukraine war, Iranian maritime threats, and significant security developments across Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region.

10th Special Forces in Greenland

SOF Weekly Brief – Oct 13, 2026

October 12, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief covers special operations developments, the Russia-Ukraine war, escalating tensions in the Middle East, emerging drone threats, and international security challenges. Additional reporting examines multinational SOF exercises, military technology, strategic vulnerabilities, and developments affecting the SOF community.

Task Force South West - MARSOC Marine from Special Operations Task Force West provides security at LZ in Nahr-e-Saraj district, Helmand province. (Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally, 28 Mar 2012).

SOF Weekly Brief – Oct 5, 2026

October 5, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief covers the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, developments in the Iran conflict, Ukraine battlefield gains, international SOF activity, Special Forces recruiting, defense policy changes, renewed fighting in Ethiopia, sanctions on Iran, and other national security developments worldwide.

HALO Jumpers Prepare for Jump From CH-47

SOF Weekly Brief – Sep 28, 2026

September 28, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Update covers emerging special operations technology, expanded U.S. military access in Greenland, Ukraine’s evolving battlefield, Cuba contingency planning, the Iran conflict, Houthi ambitions, renewed fighting in Ethiopia, critical minerals competition, and other national security developments worldwide.

Helocast 20th SFG Sep 2026

SOF Weekly Brief – Sep 21, 2026

September 21, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief covers Ukraine’s drone campaign and counteroffensive operations, growing Houthi pressure on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping, a new Greenland security agreement, major defense sales, U.S.-China diplomacy, and developments affecting special operations forces worldwide.

Polaris Razor (MRZR)

SOF Weekly Brief – Sep 14, 2026

September 14, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief covers Arctic special operations, Army Civil Affairs changes, emerging drone capabilities, Russian information warfare, and escalating conflicts involving Iran, Yemen, and Ukraine. Additional reporting examines strategic oil chokepoints, intelligence restructuring, veterans’ programs, military publications, and forthcoming special operations community events.

USMC UH-1Y Crew Chief Fires Minigun

SOF Weekly Brief – Sep 8, 2026

September 8, 2026 John Friberg 0

This weekly brief examines major developments in special operations, irregular warfare, national security, and global conflicts, including SOF education and sustainment, Turkish counter-piracy operations, Army leadership changes, renewed U.S.-Iran fighting, Russian jet-powered drones, emerging technologies, and Kurdish reconciliation efforts.

MARSOC Training Raven

SOF Weekly Brief – August 31, 2026

August 31, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News brief covers U.S. Special Forces in Ecuador, multinational training developments, special operations technology, and recognition for the Indiana Rangers. Additional coverage examines Iran and Ukraine, CIA engagement with Russia, China’s regional ambitions, Afghan allies, veterans’ issues, and selected books, podcasts, and videos on national security affairs.

NSW SPIES CH-47

SOF Weekly Brief – August 24, 2026

August 24, 2026 John Friberg 0

This weekly brief examines significant developments affecting special operations, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security. Key topics include the expanding military applications of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, proposed changes to U.S. aircraft carriers, rising American casualties in the Iran War, leadership developments in Ukraine, and lessons emerging from modern conflicts.

5th SFG Green Beret Fires Anti-Tank Weapon

SOF Weekly Brief – August 18, 2026

August 18, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Update examines new USASOC leadership, expanded American special operations activity in the Philippines and Alaska, Iran-war MQ-9 losses, shifting security relationships with Oman and South Korea, the Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani defense pact, Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, irregular warfare, intelligence, veterans, history, and upcoming events.

Video Dark Dune 18. AFSOC aircraft conduct aerial refueling of French helicopters during Exercise Dark Dune May 2018. DoD

SOF Weekly Brief – August 10, 2026

August 10, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News update covers leadership changes in Ukraine security assistance, proposed protections for special operations personnel, international exercises, SOF history, conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, emerging technology, Afghanistan, veterans’ issues, and selected reports, commentary, podcasts, and videos from across the national security community.

10th Dive Training July 2026

SOF Weekly Brief – August 3, 2026

August 3, 2026 John Friberg 0

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.

CV-22 from the 8th Special Operations Squadron flies over the Emerald Coast outside Hurlburt Field. (AFSOC photo).

SOF Weekly Brief – July 27, 2026

July 27, 2026 John Friberg 0

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.