Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: U.S. Army Green Berets with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) wait for a U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey to land on Fort Carson, Colorado, Oct. 21, 2025. Green Berets with 10th SFG(A) conducted multiple high-altitude free-fall jumps from a V-22 Osprey, honing precision and proficiency. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Rhianna Ballenger)
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SOF News
Muzzle Blast Overpressure and SOF. There is a hidden cost to the years of training special operators take part in on the rifle range, in the shoothouse, and in combat. Muzzle blast overpressure generated by small caliber firearms like the M4 create pressure waves that “impact the skull, creating minute deformations that translate to the brain tissue.” Over time this can have cognitive impacts that not only degrade the fighting force but have life-long impacts for SOF veterans. There are some opportunities to mitigate the damage caused by blast overpressure. One is the use of a quality suppressor that “not only reduces noise, but acts as a controlled expansion chamber for combustion gases.” Michael Windfeldt and Dr. Ryan Ziegler explain in “The Silent Threat Harming Our Operators”, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), November 5, 2025.
Senior DoD Advisor Visits 7th SFG(A). Mr. Eric Geressy, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, met with leaders from 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a visit to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on Oct. 1, 2025. The discussion focused on current operational capabilities, readiness, and future initiatives supporting the Group’s mission.
From SOF to Civilian. For members of the special operations community the transition from military life to civilian life can come with “a unique set of pressures, expectations, and invisible burdens.” Aaron Knowles describes the challenges that come into play: the skill translation gap, loss of tribe and trust, loss of identity, the tempo shift (100 MPH to full stop), mental health, and more. “From SOF to Civilian: The Realities of Transitioning from Special Operations”, Clearance Jobs, November 20, 2025.
919th SOW Now Flying the AC-130J Gunship. The 919th Special Operations Wing is returning to its storied gunship heritage now that it is flying the “Ghostrider”. From 1975 to 1995, the wing operated the AC-130A “Spectre” aircraft. The AC-130J’s primary missions are close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance. “Ghostriders Return: Reserve flies first AC-130J operational training mission”, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, November 20, 2025.
1st SF Cmd CoR Ceremony. Command Sgt. Maj. Lionel A. Strong became the command sergeant major of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. He replaced Command Sgt. Maj. David R. Waldo during the change of responsibility ceremony on October 30, 2025.
New Leadership at USASOC. The Army’s SOF command has changed up its leadership. “Who’s leading the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg?”, USA Today, November 19, 2025.
USSOCOM Cdr Visits NPS. The commander of US Special Operations Command, Adm. “Mitch” Bradley, visited the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California on November 18, 2025. The purpose was to learn more about current research initiatives relative to the special operations forces community. NPS hosts the Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (SO/IW) Graduate Program where members of the U.S. SOF community can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Defense Analysis with a specialization in Special Operations / Irregular Warfare. Bradley attended NPS where his thesis was on exploring quantum scattering in semiconductor devices. “USSOCOM Commander Highlights Innovation and Joint Education at NPS”, DVIDS, November 20, 2025.
SF Officers Say “Treat Drones as Ammo”. Two Special Forces officers assigned to 4th Battalion, 10th SFG(A) say that small aerial drones should be readily available for training and combat through the Army’s ammunition supply system. “The Case for Treating Drones as Ammunition”, War on the Rocks, November 21, 2025.
492nd SOW Moving to Arizona – Lawmakers Unhappy. The 492nd Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt and Duke Fields will soon be relocating to Arizona. Some Florida lawmakers are expressing concern about the move and are questioning the move. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona was announced as the preferred location in August 2023 with the final basing decision announced in September 2025. The 492nd SOW is transitioning from a training wing into AFSOC’s 5th power projection wing that will be capable of executing SOF strike; SOF mobility; SOF ISR, and SOF air-to-ground integration. CBS Austin, Nov 19, 2025.
CA SGM Now CSEL at AFRICOM. A Change of Responsibility ceremony saw the newly appointed Command Senior Enlisted Leader begin his role at U.S. Africa Command. U.S. Army Sergeant Major Garric M. Banfield began his tenure on November 20, 2025 at a ceremony held at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. Banfield is a Civil Affairs specialist with previous assignments as Civil Affairs Proponent Sergeant Major at the Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) at FBNC and as the CSEL for SOCAFRICA.
22nd MEU (SOC) in Jamaica. Elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) was deployed to Jamaica to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Three CH-53E Super Stallions from the 22nd operated from the USS San Antonio. (DVIDS, 15 Nov 2025)
SOF, GWOT, and Drones. In the early days of the Afghanistan conflict the Battle of Takur Ghar took place as part of Operation Anaconda. The larger operation was an attempt to encircle Al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan’s Shah-i-Kot Valley in March 2022. Small SOF reconnaissance teams were inserted to establish observation posts where they could report on enemy troop dispositions and direct U.S. air power against enemy targets. An armed MQ-1 Predator, call-sign “Wildfire”, would play a major role in the Battle of Takur Ghar. “Special Forces Soldiers Learned That Armed Drones Are a Combat Necessity”, Smithsonian Magazine, November 20, 2025.
International SOF
NATO SOF in Sofia for MDO Conference. Last week special operations forces from NATO and partner nations met in Sofia, Bulgaria to discuss the role of SOF in multi-domain operations (MDO). There were three key areas under consideration: 1) how SOF synchronizes military and non-military actors and actions, 2) how SOF delivers command and control and improved interoperability across the five domains, and 3) the successful delivery of cognitive effects by Special Forces. The next MDO conference is in Croatia in October 2026.
GRU Unit 54777. The 72nd Center of the Special Service is Russia’s unit responsible for many of the psychological and influence operations both in Russia and around the world. Otherwise known as Unit 54777, the 72nd has been part of the GRU since 1991. It has conducted coordinated media and disinformation campaigns with several front organizations disseminating its propaganda. Read more about its organization, operations, and activities around the world in “GRU Unit 54777: Russia’s Psychological Operations Command”, by Ivy Shields, Grey Dynamics, November 21, 2025.
SOF History
On November 28, 1943, the Alamo Scouts was activated by the U.S. 6th Army. This special reconnaissance unit was employed in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The unit is known for its role in liberating American prisoners of war from a Japanese POW camp near Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines in January 1945. A movie called the Great Raid was produced about this action.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Scouts
On November 28, 1970, the first combat HALO jump was conducted by CCN, MACV-SOG. The nighttime parachute jump took place over Laos from C-130 blackbird flying at 17,000 feet. (Coffee or Die Magazine, June 17, 2021) https://coffeeordie.com/macv-sog-halo
History of MACV-SOG. The Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) was an elite US special operations unit formed in January 1964. Its charter was to conduct clandestine operations in Southeast Asia–particularly cross-border operations in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam–assuming many of the clandestine missions previously conducted by the CIA. Read more in “MACV-SOG: Secret Operations in Vietnam”, by Edwin Taylor, Grey Dynamics, October 24, 2025.
National Security and Commentary
Changing Culture in DoD’s Acquisition Process. The Ukraine-Russia War has demonstrated the importance of moving quickly on technological advances from the drawing board into the warfighter hands. This is especially true in the case of drone warfare – where the Ukrainians and Russians are competing to field new technology rapidly to the battlefield. The U.S. has a problem with fielding commercially available technology to our warfighter in rapid fashion. This is due to the culture of the DoD acquisition process; not to a lack of innovation in America’s industrial sector. “The Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition system often struggles to get proven capabilities to the front lines at the speed of conflict.” Luis Avila explains in “Accelerating Innovation for the Warfighter”, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), November 12, 2025.
Irregular Warfare is the Future. Who Will Lead Us Into This Future? David Maxwell, a retired SF officer, explains why we need senior leaders to recognize the importance of irregular warfare as part of the ‘great power competition’ and to implement policies that allow us to compete in this new era. “Irregular Warfare Practitioners Ask: Where is Our JFK?”, Small Wars Journal, November 21, 2025.
USS Massachusetts (SSN 798). America’s newest Virginia-class submarine was delivered to the U.S. Navy on November 21, 2025. It is billed by the Navy as having advanced stealth, surveillance, and special warfare capabilities. Some reports say that it has a Lock-out / Lock-in diver chamber (9-man, two-lock). It also can support a dry-deck shelter (DDS) for operations or free-swimming diver exit/re-entry with full decompression capability. There are 20-30 extra bunks that can be converted for SOF teams. The Virginia-class subs (there are 25 of them) have evolved from an attack submarine to being able to support SOF operations.
Venezuela – And “New Options”. On Thursday, SecDef Pete Hegseth said that plans to declare Venezuela’s state-embedded criminal network Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization will bring some new options on how the U.S. deals with narco-terrorists in that region. (DoD, Nov 21, 2025)
Venuzuela ‘Resistance’ Options. The Venezuelan military is small and would be hard-pressed to resist an invasion by U.S. forces. However, there is one thing that the U.S. has learned (hopefully) about military interventions in foreign lands – it is easy to get in but difficult to get out. Enter the guerrilla warfare campaign – or what is more commonly referred to as the era of resistance. Read how Venezuela might resist a U.S. invasion and occupation in “Venezuela’s Asymmetric Shield: How Moscow Plans to Bleed a U.S. Invasion”, Lansing Institute, November 12, 2025.
Ukraine Conflict
New Peace Plan? According to multiple news sources the Trump administration is once again in talks with Russia to settle the Ukraine-Russia War. Apparently Europe and Ukraine are not involved in the negotiations. A 28-point peace plan was negotiated between the Russians and the U.S. and then presented to Ukraine with an ultimatum agree or U.S. intelligence and military aid will stop. Key players in the negotiation included Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner and real estate businessman turned envoy, Steve Witkoff.
From the Russian standpoint it is a good deal; Moscow gets the rest of the Donbas region – an area of eastern Ukraine that it has bled severely for over the past few years but with little gain. So Russia gets in the peace table what it couldn’t achieve on the battlefield. In addition, Ukraine has to cut back the size of its military which will make it easier for Russia to win the next time it attacks. In addition, Ukraine has to commit to never joining NATO. For the Ukrainians – pretty much a losing deal.
A meeting took place in Geneva on Sunday with U.S. officials, Ukrainian officials, and representatives from European nations on the peace plan. The new round of peace talks was described by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as productive and meaningful. Apparently the talks centered on a European counter proposal to the 28 point plan announced days earlier.
Top U.S. Army Officials Visit Ukraine. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and chief of staff Gen. Randy George visited Ukraine last week. They met with Ukrainian military leaders and President Zelensky. Part of the trip is related to the stalled peace process – which has yielded very little in results that past few years. However, the trip is also to work out the exchange of drone and autonomous munitions technologies.
Ukraine Now Sending ATACMS Into Russia. For months the United States has refused permission for the use of the U.S. Army MGM-140 Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to hit targets in Russia. The missile is a short-range tactical ballistic missile that can be launched from the HIMARS or MLRS weapons systems. The recent missile variants sent to Ukraine can reach out to 300 kilometers. The MGM-140 ATACMS is produced by Lockheed Martin. It was developed in the 1980s to replace the Lance missile. “Ukraine confirms strikes in Russia with U.S. ATACMS missiles after months of Pentagon limits”, Army Recognition, November 19, 2025.
Ukraine’s Shadow War in Africa. Intelligence and paramilitary operations on the African continent conducted to diminish Russian influence has yielded mixed results. Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts are sometimes set back by intelligence operations. Read more in “A Shadow War in the Global South: Are Kyiv’s Operations in Africa Paying Off?”, by Sam Bowden, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, November 20, 2025.
Ukraine’s Foreign Legion to Disband? Ukraine plans to dismantle the International Legion under the Ground Forces. About one thousand soldiers of the Legion’s three combat battalions will be moved on to other units in the Ground Forces. This plan does not impact the International Legion that falls under the Defense Ministry’s military intelligence (HUR). “Ukraine’s foreign legion to be effectively dismantled, volunteers sound alarm”, Kyiv Independent, November 21, 2025.
Middle East
Crude Oil Tanker Released by Iran. The crew of the M/V Talara is safe and Iran has announced that they have released the ship and crew after five days of being seized while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Leader MBS Visit D.C. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visited President Trump in a highly publicized event last week. The U.S. has committed to selling the F-35 aircraft, drones, and Abrams tanks to Saudi Arabia. A ‘defense pact’ in the works between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia where Saudi Arabia is designated a major non-NATO ally. There are 19 other countries with this status. One of the topics discussed was the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; where Saudi Arabia is interested in countering UAE influence and protect Red Sea stability.
Africa
Turmoil in Africa. The year 2025 saw increased terrorism and violence across 15 countries on the continent. The most serious situations are in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Several other countries are not far behind in contending with dangerous insurgencies. Read more in “The 15 African Nations Locked in a Relentless War With Terror”, This Day, November 18, 2025.
UAE Called Out for Support to RSF in Sudan. The United Arab Emirates, at present, appears to be the biggest supporter of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in western Sudan. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF has been going on for over two years causing one of the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory. Late last week Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the ending of support to the RSF – and called high-level officials of the UAE to discuss the matter (DoS, 21 Nov 2025). President Trump has been making noises about how he is going to bring peace to yet another conflict – namely Sudan. The country of Sudan is locked in a quandary of regional rivalry – with both sides receiving significant support from regional actors from across the Middle East.
The U.S. is not blind to the UAE support provided to the RSF. Many of the UAE logistic flights taking military equipment into southeastern Libya and then on to western Sudan begin from an airbase in Puntland – the northern region of Somalia. This airbase also has a U.S. SOF presence – with a special operations task force in the region conducting operations in the Horn of Africa (mostly Somalia) under the direction of Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA). “How UAE bases arming Sudan’s RSF support US ‘grey ops’ in Somalia”, by Oscar Rickett, Middle East Eye, November 21, 2025.
Iran Support to SAF. The Iranians are stepping up their support for the Sudan governments armed forces – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This puts them in opposition to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that is heavily supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also aligns Iran with other countries supporting the SAF – this includes Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and others. “Escalating Sudan civil war threatens to pull U.S., allies and foes into new Middle East quagmire”, Washington Times, November 20, 2025.
Russian Failure in Mali and Beyond. Wesley Alexander Hill writes on how the Russian effort to provide security for the Mali junta failed and that other nearby states need to recognize this failure if their governments are going to withstand the jihadist movement in the Sahel region. “Russia’s African Strategy Isn’t Working”, The National Interest, November 19, 2025.
Diminished Influence of the West in Sahel. Bassel Ojjeh explains how Russian and China stepped into the vacuum that was created when the U.S., France, and others lost influence and presence in some of the Sahel region countries. “The Collapse of Western Power in Francophone Africa”, The Stanford Review, November 21, 2025. Also, read “Why Ankara’s rising power in the Sahel could benefit the West”, Atlantic Council, November 19, 2025.
Herder-Farmer Clashes in Chad. Climate change has herders who follow a nomadic life style and farmers who need field for their crops at odds with each other. There has been deadly violence between the groups – the herders moving southward into fertile farmlands because of the lack of a sustainable life in northern Chad. Jurist News, Nov 20, 2025.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Video – 2025 Duskin 3-Gun Shooting Competition. Organizers for the Duskin 3-Gun Shooting Competition reveal what goes into arranging the event during interviews on Fort Bragg, North Carolina June 6th – 7th, 2025. The event was organized to honor Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mike Duskin, who was killed in combat in Wardak Province, Afghanistan in 2012. The coveted competition has been annually held for the past decade. (U.S. Army Video by Sgt. Nicholas Riccio)
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/987455/organizers-speak-about-2025-duskin-3-gun-shooting-competition
Video – Bronze Bruce. The Special Warfare Memorial Statue known as “Bronze Bruce” ,located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, represents a Special Forces NCO. Bruce is a continuous reminder of the excellence and professionalism that 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) bring to the fighting force of the U.S. Army. The statue was created in 1968 by sculptor Donald De Lue and was the first Vietnam memorial in the United States. The soldier wears the rank of Sergeant First Class and is dressed in the jungle fatigues worn in Vietnam war. Under one of his feet he is crushing a snake that is symbolic of tyranny in the world. In his right hand He carries an M16 rifle and in his left hand is offering a gentle hand of friendship to the unseen oppressed of the world.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/987244/bronze-bruse
Video – The World’s Most Exclusive Club. A nicely done video by U.S. Army Special Operations Command, November 21, 2025, YouTube, 3 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpw7bKJxqEo
Podcast – Is Resistance Working in Ukraine? This podcast episode examines what the role of resistance operations are in the context of the broader war in Ukraine. Irregular Warfare Initiative, Nov 14, 2025, 52 minutes. https://irregularwarfare.org/podcasts/is-resistance-working-in-ukraine/
New Book – Hard Mind, Soft Heart: A Warfighter’s Battle for Truth, Brotherhood & the Soul of the SEAL Teams. Presswire, November 20, 2025. (press release)
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