U.S. Army Captain advises Nigerien Army. (Oct 2015, Photo U.S. Army)

U.S. Military Engaging in Foreign Aid?

November 7, 2016 SOF News 0

U.S. military engaging in foreign aid is a troublesome idea to civilians of the U.S. government and to international aid, humanitarian, and development organizations. The United States recent experience in the counterinsurgency (COIIN) efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown […]

Map of Middle East - Middle East News Update

Middle East Conflict Update

November 5, 2016 SOF News 0

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, […]

ALP Training in Panjwai District

Unconventional Warfare – Not Always Applicable

September 28, 2016 SOF News 0

A writer, Andrea Filozof, has provided her thoughts on Unconventional Warfare (UW) and its use by the United States as a means of intervention. She believes that the Obama administration – having tried to scale back counterinsurgency and stabilization efforts […]

Members of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron perform a military free fall jump on 18 Aug 2016. (Photo from DVIDS video).

SOF News Update for 20160911

September 11, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Weekly Update for 20160911 – 9/11 anniversary, new facilities upgrade for SF Combat Diver school, Turkish incursion into Syria, USSOCOM innovation, MoE and Psychological Operations, peace in Colombia, MARSOC dogs, and more. 9/11 Anniversary. Today is the anniversary […]

Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano flying over Kabul - Afghanistan Conflict

Afghan Air Force (AAF)

September 2, 2016 John Friberg 0

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) – pilot shortage. While it is currently able to conduct a host of operations (MEDEVAC, troop transport, resupply, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance) it is not to the level of capacity needed by the […]

Task Force South West - Marines in Helmand Province

Afghan Update 20160830

August 30, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghan Update 20160830 – More U.S. troops to Lashkar Gah, RS HQs spokesperson ‘spins’ the news, training Afghan pilots, AUMF and ‘the Forever War’, Australian aid worker released, Afghan Assessment by ISW, and eastern district falls to Taliban. U.S. Reinforcements […]

Afghan Local Police (ALP)

Afghan Local Police (ALP)

August 22, 2016 John Friberg 0

The Afghan Local Police (ALP) was established by U.S. Army Special Forces in 2010 to serve as a locally-based village or community self-defense force. The ALP units are recruited from local communities of key areas where Afghan government influence or […]

Map of Russia (CIA)

NATO / Europe / Russia News Update – SOF News

August 22, 2016 SOF News 0

NATO News Update 20160822 Topics: NATO and ISIS, Russia rattling its sword in the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. Russia and Crimea. Michael Kofman, a Research Assistant at CNA Corporation, provides his perspective on the latest Russian saber rattling in the […]

Village Stability Operations

Village Stability Operations (VSO) in Afghanistan

August 21, 2016 John Friberg 0

Village Stability Operations (VSO) was an attempt by United States special operations forces to establish security, governance, and development in key critical districts in remote areas of Afghanistan. Typically, these districts were in regions of Afghanistan where the Coalition conventional […]

Map of Middle East - Middle East News Update

Middle East News Update – SOF News

August 20, 2016 SOF News 0

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 […]

Map of Afghanistan (CIA) - Afghanistan News

Afghanistan News Update – SOF News

August 19, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghanistan news – Topics include SOF burning the candle at both ends, contractors in Afghanistan, National ID card, Afghan documentary on Helmand province, and Afghan mental health issues. US SOF Burning Both Ends of Candle in Afghanistan. Phillip Lohaus, a […]