Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: Sailors operating a diver propulsion device during high-altitude dive training in California, Sept. 5, 2022. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Per.
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SOF News
Alert for U.S. SOF Personnel. The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has sent out an alert bulletin notifiying active and retired senior officials of the special operations community who served in Iraq or Syria and who now live in Florida that there is a terrorist threat they should be aware of. The warning was issued on Thursday, July 17th. The “duty to warn” notification encourages active-duty and retired special forces members “to remain vigilant” against any potential terrorist threats. “Army Special Operations Warns Retired Members of Terror Threat”, The New York Times, July 17, 2025. (subscription)
Mike Waltz – Next UN Ambassador? Former U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz (and former Green Beret) testified on July 15th before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His confirmation will be an important step towards U.S. diplomacy at the United Nations. “U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nominee Waltz Faces Senate Vote as the Global Body Reels”, by Richard Gowan, Just Security, July 11, 2025.
New 5th SFG(A) Cdr. Colonel Szody relinquished command of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) to Colonel Wainwright on July 15, 2025. Wainwright has previously served with the 5th Group as an ODA commander and battalion commander.
New 7st SFG(A) Cdr. Colonel Patrick Nelson passed command of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) to Colonel John Leitner on July 17, 2025.
New 10th SFG(A) Cdr. Colonel Justin Hufnagel will relinquish command to Colonel Nathanael Joslyn on July 25, 2025 at Fort Carson, Colorado.
NSW and Force Moderization. A lenghty article by Scott R. Gourley describes the innovative steps Naval Special Warfare is taking to prepare its operators for future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific as well as other regions of the world. “Navy Special Operators Prepare for ‘Davidson Window'”, National Defense, July 15, 2025.
Cancel Culture – Extremists on Both Sides. The February 2025 firing of General Jim Slife by the SECDEF points to a troublesome facit of today’s national security environment. Slife was the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and had previously commanded Air Force Special Operations Command. He was also put on a ‘hit list’ of generals to be fired after the election but before the inauguration by an anti-woke group hoping to ‘clean house’. “The Curious Case of Slife the Knife”, RadarBlog, July 15, 2025.
U.S. Navy SEAL Released by Venezuela. Ten Americans and legal permanent U.S. residents (green card holders) who were detained by Venezuala were released on Friday, July 18th, in exchange for a few hundred Venezuelans who were held in a detention facility in El Salvador. One of those Americans is a former Navy SEAL, Wilbert Castaneda Gomez. He was arrested while on vacation in Venezuela last August. More than 250 Venezuelans that were deported in March by the U.S. to a high-security prison in El Salvador were returned to Venezuela. “Welcoming the Release of U.S. Nationals and Political Prisoners Held in Venezuela”, U.S. Department of State, July 18, 2025. See also “U.S.-Venezuela prisoner swap frees Americans for migrants in El Salvador”, The Washington Post, July 18, 2025. (subscription)
International SOF
UK SOF Busy in Syria? A hit on a ISIS leader took place in Syria by United Kingdom special operations forces. The operation was arranged to protect UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy ahead of his visit to Syria. “UK special forces carry out secret ‘kill’ operation against top ISIS bomb-maker in Syria”, The Standard, July 13, 2025.
UK SAS Details Leaked. Recent reports from London say that information related to thousands of Afghans who worked with British forces were revealed inadvertantly, putting their lives in danger. New information about the leaks has been released – apparently the personal details of more than 100 sensitive UK military personnel were also made public. “Personal details of UK special forces and spies were included in Afghan data breach”, BBC News, July 17, 2025.
SAS, “The Triples”, and a Coverup. An intriguing story of the SAS record in Afghanistan. “Deny, delete, and delay: the secrecy operation inside special forces“, The Observer, July 20, 2025.
SOF History
“Operation Galdio”. In the 1950s an Italian paramilitary organization was created by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to resist a possible future Soviet Union occupation of Italy and Italian territories. The network would provide intelligence and conduct sabotage activities. The activities of the network continued into the 1970s and 1980s. The existence of the network was admitted by the Italian prime minister in 1990 and the organization was subsequently disbanded. “Operation Gladio: The CIA’s Clandestine Network in Italy”, by Rachele Momi, Grey Dynamics, July 13, 2025.
On July 22, 1940, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Charter was approved, formed from Section D, MI(R), and EH.
Started in July 1943, the 7th Amphibious Scouts trained in jungle survival, unarmed combat, reconnaissance, and shoreline sketching.
On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the Korean War. About 37,000 Americans lost their lives, 92,000 were wounded, and 8,000 missing. DoD News.
On July 30, 1994, elements of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 325th Airborne Infantry (82nd) landed at the Rwandan capital of Kigal to secure the airport for an international aid effort as days of tribal conflict ensued.
Ukraine Conflict
Tanks to Ukraine – Compliments of Australia. The first tranche of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks have been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Australian tanks were unloaded at the Polish port of Szczecin and will soon be enroute to Ukraine. The tanks were part of Australia’s retired inventory and is part of a large miltary aid package. “Ukraine Gets Major Abrams Tank Boost”, Newsweek, July 19, 2025.
Patriots to Ukraine. Some Patriot air defense systems in the production pipeline are being diverted to Ukraine. This is the result of Washington’s newfound emphasis in helping Ukraine repel the near-constant Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones. “US diverts Patriot systems from Switzerland to Ukraine”, Defense News, July 17, 2025.
National Security and Commentary
Intelligence Wars and Irregular Operations. Operation Spider’s Web (Ukraine) and Operation Rising Lion (Israel) have highlighted the use of intelligence organizations and the conduct of irregular military operations. A recent article explores the role that military and civilian intelligence organizations perform in contemporary hostilities from a ‘legalistic perspective’. “Intelligence Wars, Their Warriors, and Legal Ambiguity”, Lieber Institute at West Point, July 16, 2025.
DoD Boycotts Aspen. Several top officials of the Pentagon were abruptly pulled from speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. The speakers were high-ranking generals, including General Bryan Fenton of USSOCOM and Lt. Gen. John Brennan, the deputy commander of U.S. AFRICOM. In the past the forum has been an opportunity for the Pentagon to weigh in on important national security topics and present the DoD’s view on policy issues and defense priorities. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said that defense officials will no longer be participating because the forums values do not align with the values of the DOD. The institute describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. “Pentagon yanks speakers from Aspen Security Forum, blasts its values”, Defense News, July 14, 2025.
Combating IW and Homeland Defense. Sal Artiaga writes on how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation are using non-military tactics to exploit American societal advantages and convert them into strategic weaknesses. Russia’s primary tool to accomplish this is the use of false narratives to erode American’s confidence in their elections, justice system, and more. China’s approach is somewhat different – focusing on systemic erosion and co-option around the world. “Defense of the Homeland: A National Strategy for Combating Irregular Warfare”, LinkedIn, July 19, 2025.
New Login System for DOD and Veterans. The Defense Department will replace the legacy DS Logon system which authenticates more than 200 DOD and Veterans Affairs websites with a more modern and flexible system called myAuth. Hopefully it will be more successful than some DOD digital enterprises . . . like DTS. “DOD Launching New Authentication System to Replace DS Logon”, DOD News, July 17, 2025.
‘Soft Power’, IO, and Cyber Operations
Generative AI. The conflict between Israel and Iran witnessed an increased use of social media and artificial intelligence generated scripts and photos posted on Twitter and other social media outlets. The information warfare that took place during this latest conflict was on a scale not seen before. Millions of people were scrolling on their phones even as bombs and missiles reached their targets. The Ukraine Russia conflict also has seen the large use of informational warfare – with each nation crafting a narrative and disseminating it in many different methods. Nations are heeding the importance of winning the narrative battle. “Israel and Iran Usher in New Era of Psychological Warfare”, The New York Times, July 15, 2025.
GRU Hybrid Threats. A policy paper outlines the activities of Russian military intelligence officers engaged in malicious cyber activity with NATO allies. The report highlights actions the GRU is taking in the Urkaine and Africa as well. “Profile: GRU Cyber and Hybrid Threat Operations”, GOV.uk, 18 July 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/profile-gru-cyber-and-hybrid-threat-operations/profile-gru-cyber-and-hybrid-threat-operations
Russia IO in Africa. Moscow is actively increasing its influence across African countries, using propaganda networks such as the Russian state information agency TASS and state-owned news outlet Russia Today (RT). “Russia scales up propaganda operations across Africa”, The Kyiv Independent, July 13, 2025.
China: Diplomatic and Economic Statecraft in the Americas. China uses its commercial and economic ties in a strategic manner – attempting to shape the policy behavior of other countries to China’s benefit. These tactics are a form of irregular warfare – an approach that subdues the enemy without fighting. This type of irregular warfare (IW) can be framed through the acronym DIME-FIL: diplomacy, information, military, economic, finance, intelligence, and lawfare/law enforcement. China uses it very effectively in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Read more in “Development of Dependence? Rethinking China’s Economic Playbook in the Americas”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, July 16, 2025.
Congress Cuts USAID Funds. On the heals for dismantling USAID and Voice of America, it appears that more cuts to ‘soft power’ mechanisms are in the works. “US House approves $9B in budget cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid”, Jurist News, July 19, 2025.
Tanks, Aircraft Carriers, and ‘Soft Power’ Win Wars. William McRaven, the former commander of JSOC and USSOCOM, argues that ‘soft power’ is important to our national security – whether in preventing conflict or assisting the military forces during a war. McRaven believes that the dismantling of USAID and dismissal of highly trained and experienced diplomats at the State Department will jeopardize national security and make the military’s job much more difficult. “Cutting the State Department and USAID will put every American at risk”, The Washington Post, July 15, 2025.
SOF News welcomes the submission of articles for publication. If it is related to special operations, current conflicts, national security, or defense then we are interested.
Asia
Shan State. in April 1964, representatives form the Shan State Independence Army (SSIA), the Shan National United Front (SNUF), and the Kokang Revolutionary Force (KRF) met secretly in Thailand to form the Shan State Army (SSA). These ethnic armed organizations have continued the fight for the past 60 years in the northeastern region of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Read more in “Shan State Army: Illicit Networks and Armed Power”, by Eirini Kongkini, Grey Dynamics, June 13, 2025.
Taiwan and Civil Resilience. Marta Kepe and Scott W. Harold have penned a 70 page report that provides insight into Taiwan’s civilian resilience program against acts of war. Since 2014, one of the principal tenets for resisting a foreign power’s attack and occupation is utilizing the resistance operating concept (ROC) developed by SOCEUR in collaboration with other countries in Europe. Elements of the ROC have been adopted by Taiwan for use in the event of an attack and occupation by the PRC. Building Taiwan’s Resilience, RAND Corporation, July 2025, PDF. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3300/RRA3388-1/RAND_RRA3388-1.pdf
Taiwan Scenarios. Read an article that outlines the possible scenarios where the PRC could effect a path to reunification of Taiwan with ‘the home country’. “The Taiwan scenairos: Subversion, quarantine, blockade, invasion”, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), July 21, 2025.
Afghanistan
Seven Day Stay of TPS. The 4th Circuit Court provided a temporary halt stay on the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) expiration (Afghan Report, Feb 15, 2022) for Afghan allies. The termination of TPS means that Afghan interpreters and their families could be deported back to Afghanistan where they will face retaliation for their support of the U.S. military during the 20-year involvement of the U.S. in the Afghan conflict. The TPS termination had been announced by the Department of Homeland Security in a notice sent out a few months ago (USCIS, May 12, 2025) with an effective date of July 14, 2025. Around 12,000 Afghans are affected by the end of TPS.
Glimmer of Hope for Afghan Allies Stranded in UAE. In some late breaking news on Sunday there are reports that President Trump has acknowledged that there are Afghans stuck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that are being threatened with deporatation to Afghanistan. Many Afghans that were sent to the EHC during the August 2021 Kabul NEO served alongside the U.S. military as interpreters or as members of specialized military formations in Afghanistan. Most of them have been stuck in the Emirates Humanitarian City (Afghan Report, Feb 13, 2022) in the UAE for many long months.
Afghan Residents in CAS Have Uncertain Future. About 1,500 Afghans remain on U.S. base Camp As Sayliya (CAS) in Doha, Qatar and their future remains in the air. They were transported there as part of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) that has been suspended by executive order. Government officials have said that CAS will close on September 28, 2025 and that the refugee resettlement plan is no longer an option due to the travel ban. The Afghans at CAS qualified for the USRAP status because of their past affilitiation with the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Prior to their arrival at CAS the Afghans and their families were subjected to extensive security and medical vetting and admitted if they could prove their employment or association with U.S. government agencies or military forces. If forced to return to Afghanistan many will face retaliation for their assistance to U.S. forces during the 20-year long Afghan conflict. “Afghan Allies Under Pressure to Self-Deport: Voices from Camp As Sayliyah”, by Beth Bailey, Reason.com, July 17, 2025.
Africa
Peace Deal – Congo and Rwanda? A new peace agreement could stop the fighting taking place in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The agreement was signed in late June and will hopefully stop the fighting that has killed thousands and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes. M23, an insurgent group backed by Rwanda, has taken large amounts of mineral rich territory from DRC government forces. “The DR Congo-Rwanda Deal: Now Comes the Hard Part”, by Richard Moncrieff, International Crisis Group, July 4, 2025.
French Withdraws from Senegal. The 350 remaining French soldiers in Senegal handed over its last camp in the country on Thursday, July 17th. Paris now has no military bases in West or Central Africa. The French have been retreating (or kicked out) of many of its overseas locations in the past few years. At the same time that the French are losing influence in Africa the jihadist movement is growing across Mali, Burkino Faso, and Niger. France’s remaining base in Africa is in Djibouti where some 1,500 personnel are stationed. “French army withdraws last troops from Senegal bases”, Le Monde, July 17, 2025.
Troubles in HOA. Geopolitical ambitions, ethnic divisions, and contested access to fresh water and the sea are intensifying conflict in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Tigray region. “Rising tensions in the Horn of Africa”, by Teresa Nogueira Pinto, GIS Reports Online, July 7, 2025.
UAE’s Role in Sudan’s War. The United Arab Emirates has been supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in their fight against the government’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Mustafa Fetouri writes on the UAE role in the conflict in “Genocide, Ghost Wars and Gold: How the Genocide Convention Loophole Helps Fracture Sudan”, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, June 18, 2025.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Book Review – The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century. Journalist Tim Weiner has a new book out about the Central Intelligence Agency. Keith Gessen provides a book review of Weiner’s work in a long essay on the history of the CIA. The short of the book (and the review) is how the CIA lost its historical adversary (Soviet Union) but inherited a new one (Al Qaeda). The book author ends with a warning that the CIA may soon have a new adversary – one within the government. “What Will Become of the CIA?”, The New Yorker, July 16, 2025.
Spotlight Newsletter. The June 2025 newsletter of the Irregular Warfare Center is now posted online. (PDF). https://irregularwarfarecenter.org/news/newsletter/june-2025-newsletter/
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