Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: Members of Chapter 47 continue the tradition of remembering Medal of Honor Day. Members honored MOH recipients at the Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery, Washington, Willamette National Cemetery, City View Cemetery in Salem, Oregon, Crystal Lake Masonic Cemetery in Corvallis, Oregon and Pioneer Cemetery in Eugene, Oregon. (photo Chapter 47, SFA)
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SOF News
SOF Identity Problem. Some recent academic papers and news reports have indicated that the U.S. Army’s Special Forces has an ‘indentity crisis’. David Shell, a retired SF Sergeant Major, takes issue with this assertion. Read more in “Special Forces Does Not Have an Identity Crisis, SOF has a Special Forces Identity Problem”, Joint Special Operations University Press, May 16, 2025.
https://jsou.edu/Press/PublicationDashboard/276
New ASD SO/LIC? Derrick Anderson has been nominated (congress.gov) by President Trump to serve as assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict (ASD SO/LIC, SOF News). He has recently been serving as the acting assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs. Prior to that he was director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council. He has served as a Green Beret with the 5th Special Forces Group from 2010 to 2016 and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the District of Columbia Army National Guard. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Read his biography here (Dept of Army, PDF, 2 pages)
GPC and SOF. Dr. Isaiah Wilson explores the key themes of Strategic Competition. Read an essay on this topic in “Special Operations in the Fourth Age”, Compound Security, Unlocked, June 6, 2025.
AI and SOF. Artificial intelligence (AI) has non-tactical uses in addition to contributing to wartime activities. AI tools are helping USSOCOM build its budget and run more efficiently at the administrative level. “Senior Special Ops Leader Highlights AI’s Usefulness Beyond the Battlefield”, DOD News, June 3, 2025.
New AFRICOM Commander. A former commander of Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAfrica) from 2019-21, has been nominated to be the next commander of U.S. Africa Command. Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson (AF bio) is a pilot who has flown the KC-135 tanker, C-130 transport aircraft, and the U28A surveillance aircraft.
Ukraine’s SOF and History. Doug Livermore writes about how the recent strike against Russia’s strategic bombers located on multiple airfields far from the front lines by Ukraine special operators is an example of the enduring principles of deep special operations. Read his article in “Ukraine’s Long-Range Special Operations: Lessons from Desert Pioneers”, Small Wars Journal, June 2, 2025.
U.S. Naval SOF and Drones. American special operations forces have been training with unmanned surface vessels during a recent training exercise in the Philippines. A photo released by the DOD depicted the operation of a Maritime Tactical Systems Devil Ray T-38 (MARTAC Systems) USV being towed by a Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft Assault. “U.S. Special Forces Train with USVs in the Philippines”, Naval News, May 31, 2025.
JSOU and SOF. Read a great article by Isaiah Wilson about the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) based at McDill Air Force Base, Florida. JSOU provides higher level academic training for members of the U.S. special operations community. as warfare changes through time so does the need for SOF’s educational programs and institutions keep up with the changes. Over the last five years JSOU has had some ambitious transformations. Learn more in “Educating the Warrior-Scholar: The JSOU NEXT Leap”, Compound Security, Unlocked, June 2, 2026.
Nigerian SOF Eliminate Top Jihadist. Nigerian Special Forces successfully killed a high-ranking Boko Harem commander along with several of his subordinate officers in late May. “Nigerian Special Forces Eliminate Top Boko Haram/ISWAP Commander in Borno”, News Central Africa, May 31, 2025.
Ukraine Conflict
Stunning Raid on Russia. The surprise drone attack hits Moscow’s ability to threaten distant rivals such as the United States. “Ukraine’s Stunning Assault Roils Russia’s Global Military Strategy”, by Daniel Michaels, The Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2025. (subscription)
Kerch Bridge Struck. The bridge between Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea has been struck once again by Ukraine. This vital bridge is the longest bridge in Europe and is a critical way for Russia to integrate the occupied Crimea into Russia as well as serving as a logisitics connection for Russian troops. This SBU operation appears to have been carried out underwater, damaging the underwater pillars of the bridge supports. The Kerch Bridge was previously (SOF News) damaged in October 2002.
Ukraine and Naval Drones. Ukraine’s growing use of naval drones has pushed both sides in the conflict to rapidly adapt and accelerate the race for countermeasures and maritime innovation. Ukraine is demonstrating what the future of naval warfare looks like. Read more in an article by David Kirichenko in “Small Craft, Big Impact: Ukraine’s Naval War and the Rise of New-Tech Warships”, CIMSEC.org, June 3, 2025.
- References:
- Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats. On storymaps.arcgis.com See also https://www.national-security.info/ukraine/maps.html
- U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine, Congressional Research Service, CRSIF12040, periodically updated, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12040
- Ukraine Conflict, National Security Info. https://www.national-security.info/ukraine-conflict.html
Commentary and National Security
Advising, COIN, and SFA. Robert Shafer has penned an article that explores existing counterinsurgency doctrine and seeks to relate how the principles of clear, hold, and build remain valid in terms of consolidating gains, especially through the lens of security force assistance (SFA). “Advising the Other Side of COIN II”, Center for Army Lessons Learned, May 29, 2025.
NG Troops in LA. National Guard troops began arriving early on Sunday in response to clashes between federal immigration authorities and protesters seeking to block the federal officers from their duties of carrying out deportations of illegal aliens. “National Guard troops arrive in Los Angeles on Trump’s orders to quell immigration protests”, AP News, June 8, 2025.
Travel Ban. The Trump administration has announced a full travel ban on nationals from 12 countries-Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Effects of Dismantling USAID. The disestablishment of the U.S. Agency for International Development is eroding much of the ‘soft power’ capability of the United States. Read more in “What We’ve Lost: Firsthand Accounts from the Field”, Foreign Service Journal, American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), June 2025.
Mountain Warfare. Read an excellent analysis about fighting in a cold weather and mountainous environment. “Mountain Warfare: Fighting the Mountain to Fight in the Mountains”, by Lance R. Blyth, Small Wars Journal, June 3, 2025.
The Army’s birthday is celebrated on June 14th. The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.
CRS Report: Haiti in Crisis. The political and security situation in Haiti has deteriorated in 2025 despite the deployment of a Kenya-led United Nations authorized Multinational Security Support Misson that the U.S. governmet helpd train and equip. Thousands of people have been killed due to gang-related violence. Read more about the current status of the MSS in Haiti and U.S. policy in “Haiti in Crisis: Developments Related to Multinational Security Support Mission”, Congressional Research Service (CRS), updated June 3, 2025, PDF, 3 pages.
https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IN/PDF/IN12331/IN12331.12.pdf
1st Information Operations Command Shuts Down. The closure of the Army’s info ops command reflects a disperal of cyber and information warfare assets across the force. The active duty unit shut down in May 2025 after 23 years of operation. It was part of the U.S. Army Cyber Command. Taking its place are region-specific Theater Information Advantage Detachments (how do they come up with these names?) that will work closely with new Multi-Domain Task Forces. “Army shuts down its sole active-duty information operations command“, by Nicholas Slayton, Task & Purpose, June 2, 2025.
Afghanistan
Removing TPS for Afghan Allies. Temporary Protective Status (TPS) is a humanitarian immigration status granted by the U.S. government to people coming from the most at-risk countries, where conditions such as war or other extraordinary crises make it unsafe or impossible to return. Afghans were granted TPS (Afghan Report) because the United States recognized how dire and dangerous the situation had become in Afghanistan under Taliban control and the incredible risks faced by those with affiliations with Americans and democratic values. During the Kabul NEO of August 2021 (Afghan War News), thousands of Afghans were airlifted from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) aboard U.S. military aircraft, flown to U.S. military installations (called ‘Lily Pads’) in the Middle East and Europe, processed (medical and security vetting), and then flown to U.S. military installations (Operation Allied Refuge) in the United States for further processing (more medical, administrative, and security vetting) and then relocation in U.S. communities. Now these Afghan allies are losing there TPS designation. “Removing Protected Status for Afghans in the U.S. is No Way to Treat Allies”, Just Security, May 29, 2025.
Lessons of Afghanistan. Ronald Neumann served as the US Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007. He argues that we need to study the successes and failures of Afghanistan to be better prepared for similar events in the future. However, he believes the conventional explanations for America’s failure to stabilize Afghanistan provide little help for future policymaking. “Learning the Right Lessons from Afghanistan”, National Interest, June 6, 2025.
Afghan Relocation Program to End. A government avenue for Afghan allies (former interpreters) to resettle in the United States is soon to be terminated by the executive branch. The Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) office of the U.S. State Department handles the planning and logistics of Afghans who qualify for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). “Trump administration plans to end Afghan relocation programs”, by Riley Ceder, Military Times, June 2, 2025.
Africa
Al Shabaab and Houthi Ties. Growing collaboration between al Shabaab and the Houthis is enabling both militant groups and contributing to heightened maritime and land-based threats on both sides of the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis, in support of Hamas, has used drones, missiles, and small boats to attack over 100 commercial vessels off the shores of Yemen. Piracy, long associated with crime gangs from Somalia, have also hindered commercial vessel traffic in the Gulf of Aden. Read a detailed analysis of the situation in “Expanding Al Shabaab-Houthi Ties Escalate Security Threats to Red Sea Region”, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, May 28, 2025.
A Resurging al-Shabaab. Ashley Jackson, Ph.D, is the co-founder of the Centre on Armed Groups who has conducted field research in conflict zones across Africa and Asia. In this article she writes on how al-Shabaab is gaining control of more areas of central and southern Somalia and how the government has deep structural weaknesses. “Flailing State: The Resurgence of al-Shabaab in Somalia”, War on the Rocks, June 3, 2025.
JNIM Expands. Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin has increased its operational tempo in northern and central Mali. The increased activities have highlighted the limitations of the junta-led security forces. “JNIM Expanding Geographic Reach and Staging Coordinated Attacks in the Sahel”, Intelbrief, The Soufan Center, June 5, 2025.
Journals, Videos, and Podcasts
Sentinel. The Chapter 78 Special Forces Association newsletter for June 2025 is now online. In this issue is a story about Air America (Vietnam era), Veterans History Project (Library of Congress), and the Cambodian Incursion of 1970.
https://www.specialforces78.com/chapter-78-newsletter-for-june-2025/
Bibliography – Wagner Group. Some of the recent academic papers and books about the Wagner Group (Africa Corps) has been compiled into a bibliography. “Private Military Companies (PMCs) Subject Bibliography No. 1: Wagner Group (Africa Corps)”, Small Wars Journal, June 6, 2025.
Video – Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day. This 25 minute video is presented by “The Jedburgh Podcast”.. The Jedburghs were three man teams that parachuted into occupied France just prior to D-Day, the invasion of Europe by the Allies during World War II. the Jedburgh channel is brought to you by the Green Beret Foundation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2lpDtw4NXM
Video – Green Beret Recruiting Video: Army National Guard Special Forces, SOCOM Athlete, YouTube, May 31, 2025, 2:30 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP5-Nn5VCmo
Podcast – Vulnerable Skies: Drones and National Security. Paul Lushenko and Tom Spahr discuss the potential threats and vulnerability of defense and infrastructure facilities posed by unmanned aircraft systems. War Room, June 3, 2025, 32 minutes.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/vulnerable-skies/
SOF News Book Shop
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Upcoming Events
June 23-25, 2025
Maritime Symposium – Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups
Newport, Rhode Island
June 24, 2025
The Wagner Group: Russia’s Shadow Army
International Spy Museum, D.C.
August 19-21, 2025
Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium
Bangkok, Thailand
October 7-9, 2025
Global SOF Europe
Athens, Greece
October 13-16, 2025
Special Operations Association Reunion (SOAR)
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 14-17, 2025
Special Forces Association Conference
Las Vegas, Nevada
November 17-20, 2025
2025 Modern Warfare Week – Fort Bragg
Global SOF Foundation
