U.S. pulls support for Yemen conflict

Yemen: U.S. Pulling Support

February 9, 2021 SOF News 0

The Biden administration wasted very little time in setting a course correction in the United States role in the Yemen conflict. Citing humanitarian issues (as well as other concerns) it has decided to eliminate support for offensive operations provided to […]

Map Middle East

Middle East Update – January 2021

January 31, 2021 SOF News 0

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 […]

Iranian Proxy Groups

JSOU Paper: Iranian Proxy Groups in the Middle East

January 14, 2021 SOF News 0

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 […]

Operation Eagle Claw Desert One

Operation Eagle Claw – April 1980

April 24, 2020 John Friberg 0

A U.S. effort to rescue American hostages in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran ended in failure on April 24, 1980. The Army Special Forces unit tasked with the mission was to rescue 53 hostages being detained by Iran. The […]

TACP Support to Air Infiltration

Special Operations News Update 20190619

June 19, 2019 SOF News 0

Current news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, national security, and conflicts from around the world. SOF News New Acting SECDEF – Former Ranger. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan has decided not to continue his pursuit of nomination for […]

Map Syria Admin Divisions CIA 2007

Leaving Syria – What Happens Next?

December 27, 2018 SOF News 0

Trump’s Surprise Announcement On Thursday, December 19, 2018, President Trump tweeted that we had attained victory over the Islamic State (IS) and that all military personnel would depart immediately. “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being […]

Hezbollah in Nigeria

Hezbollah in Nigeria – A Potential Problem

July 31, 2018 SOF News 0

by Chris Martin In February 2018, I met with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss irregular warfare concerns, more specifically, the intrusive and merciless groups that are currently destabilizing Nigeria. Boko Haram is located in the North East, the […]

Map of Jordan

Middle East War News Update – 20171019

October 19, 2017 SOF News 0

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 […]

Afghan War Update September 2017

September 28, 2017 SOF News 0

Afghan War Update – September 28, 2017. CSTC-A fails in ammo usage oversight mission, US requests closure of Taliban office in Qatar, Iranian support of the Taliban, district control, ‘Green Belt’ security plan for Kabul, new DoD SES appointed for […]