This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. The Iran-U.S. War continues with no resolution in sight. Many U.S. veterans who served in Afghanistan will note the five year anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 15, 2021.
Historian Ben Powers interviews retired Army First Sergeant Christopher “Moon” Mullins about his forthcoming biography of Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough. Mullins discusses Yarborough’s wartime leadership, airborne innovations, institutional battles, and enduring role in shaping the identity, culture, and doctrine of Army Special Forces soldiers.
Why SOF modernization must include persistent support for correct execution after fielding By Woody Hurd On my first deployment to the Middle East with 5th Special Forces Group, I was tasked with setting up a notoriously complex tactical SATCOM node […]
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.
July’s drone developments highlighted the accelerating shift from experimentation to combat employment. U.S. forces used one-way attack surface vessels, while Ukraine expanded deep-strike operations against Russian energy and logistics networks.
Story by Staff Sgt. Austin Baker, 3rd SFG(A). If you listen to the briefings, you’d think international partnerships are only built around a formal table and greeting with formal handshakes. On the ground, in the dense heat of Côte d’Ivoire, […]
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.
SO/LIC will host an”accelerator” event in D.C. on July 24, 2026, in which companies from more than a dozen companies will have the opportunity to pitch innovation solutions across nine areas related to the military’s special operations community.
The “Strategic Resources in Competion: Critical Minerals & Rare Earth Elements” conference is taking place in Reston, Virginia this week. The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) and the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) are hosting the two-day conference. The gathering will be focused on the role of critical minerals and rare earth elements in strategic competition.
In the spring of 1942, the British conducted a raid on the port of Saint Nazaire, France with the intent to render the drydocks inoperable and deny the German Navy the only safehaven capable of repairing a damaged battleship – the Tirpitz. The mission was a success.
Explore notable special operations community events taking place in August 2026, including nonprofit fundraisers, memorial golf outings, networking opportunities, industry gatherings, an irregular warfare symposium, a theatrical production, and events supporting Green Berets, Navy SEALs, pararescuemen, veterans, and military families.
This week’s SOF News Update covers the NATO Summit in Turkey, renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine’s campaign against Russian logistics, the resurgence of Somali piracy, emerging special operations technologies, and the latest developments affecting national security, intelligence, and irregular warfare worldwide.
This week’s SOF News Update highlights advances in AI-driven intelligence, NATO special operations leadership changes, Ukraine’s evolving long-range strike campaign, developments involving Iran, maritime infrastructure security, and the latest news affecting the global special operations community. Historical milestones, upcoming events, and a featured book review round out the briefing.
Veteran entrepreneurs are finding more than defense technology at SOF Week. Organizations such as Victor + Valor are helping veterans, military spouses, and members of the special operations community transform military experience into successful businesses through branding, communications, mentorship, and lasting professional relationships.
This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. Iran is continuing to attack U.S. forces in the region to try and stop the United States from undermining Iranian efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. is retaliating with strikes of its on on Iranian military targets.
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