Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: Graphic illustration featuring 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during training operations at Camp Shelby, Missouri, July, 2025. (U.S. Army graphic by Sgt. Jacob Bradford)
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SOF News
Civil War Guerrilla Units – Lessons for Today’s SOF. Alex Bogaski, an Army officer attending the Naval Postgraduate School, writes on how irregular forces in the American Civil War interacted with the local population. He describes how two different guerrilla units – one Union and the other Confederate – leveraged the civil domain for support and intelligence. A study of irregular warfare during the Civil War can prepare SOF practitioners for irregular warfare activities in the modern era. “Guerrillas and Governance: Lessons on Resistance Forces and the Local Populace from the American Civil War”, Small Wars Journal, December 2, 2025.
SF and Technology. Special Forces ODAs working with partner military forces must fully understand how technology transfer can assist in building partner forces relationships in this era of strategic competition. For Special Forces, technology must be viewed from two points of view. The first is how ODAs can retain the agility, mobility, and survivability to operate in the ‘gray zone’ as well as in potential large-scale combat operations. The second is how to identify, deliver, and sustain technologies for partner forces. “The Bridge: Technology and Partner Capacity in Irregular Warfare”, The Old and Bold, December 6, 2025.
Split Team ODA Ops in LSCO. CWO Greg Urbanski (SF) makes the case for split-team employment being reinstitutionalized as SF’s default organizing principle for both training and employment for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). He examines historical cases of small unit effectiveness and the disproportionate impact they have had on the battlefield. “Getting Small: Institutionalizing Split-Team Operations for Large Scale Combat Operations”, Special Warfare Journal, November 24, 2025.
SOF, RAA/VAK, and Wireless Mesh Networks. A secure mesh network radio component integrated with special operations forces utilization of RAA/VAK will enable SOF to conduct missions in deep areas typically denied by enemy C5ISRT systems. SOF’s use of the Remote Advise and Assist Virtual Accompany Kit (RAA/VAK) system and technologies are well undocumented in the Middle East as well as in Ukraine. Read more i9n “Transforming the ‘ARSOF Advantage’ Lines of Effort with Enhanced Mesh Network Technology”, Special Warfare Journal, December 4, 2025.
IW and the High North. Stephen Gagnon, a U.S. Special Forces officer, writes on how the U.S. military needs to apply its doctrine relating to the Arctic to an actual presence in the Arctic. “From Paper to Permafrost: Applying Irregular Warfare Doctrine to Arctic Homeland Defense”, Small Wars Journal, December 2, 2025.
Ditch MISO, Back to PYSOP. A memorandum has been published by DoD (Dec 2, 2025) changing the term Military Information Support Operations (MISO) back to Psychological Operations (PSYOP). In November 2017, the U.S. Army made this change, now the Department of Defense has made it DoD-wide.
3rd SFG(A) Best Team Competition. The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) held its best team competition on December 2-3, 2025 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Twelve teams competed in physical and technical events. “Ready for the Hardest Day and Any Day”, DVIDS, December 4, 2025.
Rewiring Green Berets and Rangers. Guy d. McCardle writes on how Army special operations will change how they fight in the new digital battlespace where drones, data, and digital deception is used to stay alive while in the adversary’s sensor net. Space forces, cyber units, and SOF will be working more closely together as time goes on. The Maven Smart System and Project Convergence are examples of how ARSOF is transforming. Read more in “How Army Special Operations Forces are Rewiring Green Berets and Rangers for the Next Great Power Struggle”, SOFREP, December 5, 2025.
SOF History
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
https://sof.news/history/dec-7th-pearl-harbor-day/
On December 20, 1989, more than 3,600 Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) soldiers participated in Operation Just Cause (Panama). Parachute assaults were conducted onto Panamanian airfields. Read more at USASOC History Office:
https://arsof-history.org/arsof_in_panama/index.html
On December 13, 2003, Iraq President Saddam Hussein was captured hiding in a hole at a farmhouse in Adwar, Iraq. Task Force 121, a joint special operations team, conducted the operation. The TF was assisted by elements of the 4th ID. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_of_Saddam_Hussein
National Security and Commentary
Larger Stipends for MoH Recipients. A new law has raised the annual honorarium for Medal of Honor recipients to $67,500. The Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends (MEDAL Act) raised the monthly pension for recipients to $5,625 per month; an increase from $1,489.73. The stipends help cover the costs associated with traveling to appearances and events for MoH recipients. There are 61 living Medal of Honor recipients. “Medal of Honor recipients to receive larger stipends under new law”, by Patricia Kime, Military Times, December 3, 2025.
USIP Renamed. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) was renamed to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on December 3, 2025. The White House is in the midst of a legal battle (ASIS International) over the administration’s earlier efforts to seize control and dismantle the independent, congressionally funded nonprofit that was established in 1984 (signed by President Reagan) for conflict prevention and peace-building. The USIP is designed to be independent of the executive branch. The USIP trained thousands of military officers, Foreign Service officers, and USAID staff every year in negotiation, mediation, and stabilization techniques. The USIP has, over the years, published thousands of analysis and research papers on conflict and war. These are no longer available for viewing on its website; the only item available for viewing is a video of President Trump. See “US Institute of Peace renamed for Trump after his administration gutted it earlier this year“, CNN, December 3, 2025.
New Pentagon Press Corps. Some new members of the press were onboarded into the Pentagon Press Corps – an organization that includes more than 70 journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers. Most of these new members are not associated with legacy media outlets that have covered the Pentagon in the past. Most past press corps members refused to sign an agreement that imposed increased restrictions on access to the building and defense officials and had increased restrictions on topics that could be reported on. “War Department Welcomes New Pentagon Press Corps”, Department of Defense, December 3, 2025.
More on Pentagon Media. The New York Times is suing the Pentagon arguing that the DoD has infringed on the constitutional rights of journalists by imposing new restrictions on reporting about the military. “New York Times Sues Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights”, The New York Times, December 4, 2025. (subscription)
Venezuela
22nd MEU(SOC) in Caribbean. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) has been in the Caribbean Sea region for several weeks. It has been continuing its training in amphibious training, infantry sustainment, and flight operations in Puerto Rico. (DVIDS, Dec 5, 2025)
Resistance Potential of Venezuela. The current administration has not ruled out the conduct of land operations against ‘narco terrorists’ operating in Venezuela. Putting boots on the ground could be problematic for the U.S.; whether a short-term limited engagement or a prolonged operations. Read a detailed and comprehensive study on possible actions by the Venezuela regime if faced with ground operations by the U.S. military. “Venezuela Contingency Operation: Resistance Potential and Irregular Warfare Risk”, The Resistance Hub, December 3, 2025.
VOA, Venezuela, and the Info Vacuum. Before the Voice of America was shuttered by the Trump administration, VOA’s weekly Spanish-language audience in Latin America was more than 100 million people. In Venezuela, where the free press has been shut down, VOA was instrumental in providing the U.S. narrative to influence ‘the conversation’. The informational vacuum is being filled by China, Russia, and other allies of the Maduro regime. “Trump’s closure of Voice of America is coming back to bite him”, The Washington Post, December 5, 2025. (subscription)
Boat Strikes and SOF. Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. Army general officer who frequently wades into discussions about national security, presents his views on the use of SOF to interdict drug boats coming from Venezuela. “Caribbean Boat Strikes and the Use (and Misuse) of Special Forces”, The Bulwark, December 6, 2025.
SOUTHCOM Cdr Asked to Resign. Admiral Alvin Holsey was asked by SecDef Hegseth to resign after months of discord. Some opinions on social media and in the news media are presenting the notion that the ‘asked’ resignation was related to the current interdiction of Narco boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Wall Street Journal, December 3, 2025. (subscription)
IO, AI, Intel, and Cyber
Cognitive Battlefield. Terrorist and insurgents can deploy influence operations more effectively and more quickly than democratic governments. Countries like the United States have bureaucratic systems that dilute and slow down information operations that can counter the messaging of terrorist groups and insurgent organizations. Additionally, the use of the internet and encrypted platforms reduce the intelligence collection activities of democratic governments. However, there are some steps that can be taken by democratic nations to counter the adversary narrative, reduce online radicalization, and offer compelling alternatives. “The Cognitive Battlefield: How Influence Operations Undermine Extremism”, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), December 3, 2025.
SOF and AI. Scott Douglas writes on how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the modern battlefield and how special operations forces can use AI in future conflicts. The article is focused on how AI will be used and how it will impact SOF operations. This includes the aspects of AI on training, intelligence gathering and analysis, and more. “SOF, AI, and Changing Western Conceptions of War”, Small Wars Journal, December 5, 2025.
CIA Operator now Writes Books. Former Central Intelligence Agency case officer John R. Seeger did a career in the agency; now he writes books. Read more in “J.R. Seeger: What Does a CIA ‘Spys’s Spy’ Do for an Encore?”, SpyScape, December 7, 2025.
Shutting Down VOA. The Trump administration has been trying for the past year to dismantle much of the U.S. ‘soft power’ capability. The VOA is one of these instruments of soft power that is being phased out. “Trump to Close Voice of America’s Overseas Offices and Radio Stations”, The New York Times, December 2, 2025. (subscription)
SOF’s Role in Cyber Operations. Ben Soltisz, a U.S. Air Force communications officer focused on irregular warfare, writes that the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is facing an evolutionary inflection point. USSOCOM has to employ cyber capabilities and cutting-edge technology as an effective instrument of national power. “Chance and Necessity: Evolving the Supporting Role of SOF to Cyber Operations”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, November 21, 2025.
Coping With Airport Secondary. International travelers usually have no problem getting through immigration at U.S. airports . . . if you are a U.S. citizen. However, there could be occasions where you get taken into “secondary” . . . a side office where you get asked more questions about who you are, where you have been, who you have met, etc. You may even find your person, luggage, and electronic devices are searched. If your in the SOF community, sometimes the answers given to CBP officers at a U.S. port of entry can lead to more questions requiring explanations in a small side office. And if you are a former SOF who is now contracting overseas . . . well, you may not have that CAC card to play. Read more in an article by George Hand entitled “Being Taken Into Secondary Airport Security Interrogation While in a Spec Ops Unit”, Sandboxx, December 5, 2025.
Strategic Competition
Updated National Security Strategy. The White House has released the latest version of the nation’s national security strategy. PDF, 33 pages, November 2025. It shifts focus to the western hemisphere and the Pacific region. It seems to distance U.S. national security interests from those of Europe. If you are concerned about China or tin-pot dictators in Latin America you like the latest NSS; if you think Russia is a threat . . . well, not so much. For the most part, except for those concerned about the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America, the new NSS is not receiving good reviews. Read the new NSS at the following link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf
More commentary on the new National Security Strategy:
- “Ten Jolting Takeaways from Trump’s New National Security Strategy“, by Rick Landgraf, War on the Rocks, December 5, 2025.
- “Trump’s new national security strategy: 5 key takeaways”, The Hill, December 5, 2025.
- “Hegseth Outlines New National Defense Strategy During Speech at Reagan Library”, Pentagon News, December 6, 2025
- Video – “Hegseth Speaks at Reagan National Defense Forum”, DVIDS, December 6, 2025. SecDef presents his views on the NSS. 50 minutes.
Hybrid Warfare: How Russia Attacks Europe. The pressure on Europe’s institutions, leadership, population, critical resources, infrastructure, and defense forces is not in the “pre-conflict” stage. Europe is already in conflict – a present and continuous state. “Are We at War with Russia? How Warden’s Rings Map Russia’s Hybrid Strategy”, by Calvin Bailey, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), December 4, 2025.
Ukraine Conflict
Pokrovsk – a Falling Fortress. It has taken the Russians more than a year to take a small city in eastern Ukraine (Ukrainians still hold the northern sector) at great cost in personnel and military vehicles. The taking of Pokrovsk is more of a moral victory for the Russians rather than a strategic victory. However, it does provide an indication on how Russia will fight over the next year or two – if the conflict continues. “Ominous maps of a falling fortress city reveal a change in Ukraine war”, The Washington Post, December 4, 2025.
“2000 Meters”. Gil Barndollar writes on a compelling documentary about what the infantryman fighting for Ukraine confronts on the battlefield. Filmed during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, this documentary follows a Ukrainian infantry unit tasked with taking a small village in eastern Ukraine. They must fight along a narrow strip of land leading to the village 2000 meters away. “Three months, Two Thousand Meters: A Snapshot of the War in Ukraine”, Modern War Institute at West Point, December 2, 2025. (Editor’s note: I watched this documentary, worth checking out).
- References:
- Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Institute 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
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
IW in Asia. David Maxwell writes four authoritarian powers that now are aligned and operating with a shared purpose. The nations of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have unified the Eurasian landmass and the Asia-Indo-Pacific into one very large contested system or zone that is connected across geography and ideology. This contest is not about large armies or navies fighting; it is more about political warfare or irregular warfare. “Irregular Warfare in the Asia-Indo-Pacific and Against the Dark Quad/ CRInK”, Small Wars Journal, December 5, 2025.
More Conflict in SE Asia. Clashes have broken out between Thailand and Cambodia along their shared border. Some Thai soldiers have been killed and injured by Cambodian rocket and/or artillery attacks and Thailand has responded with airstrikes on Cambodian Army positions. Both sides are accusing the other of violating a recent ceasefire.
Afghanistan
SIGAR Going Away. The watchdog created by Congress to evaluate how the effort to establish stability and democracy was going for over 17 years will be closing up shop in early January. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) presented factual, realistic, and unbiased accounts of how the war was going in Afghanistan. By 2012 it was predicting that the Taliban were winning over the districts – slowly but surely. Policy makers and general officers seemed to ignore the SIGAR findings published in the quarterly reports more rosy outlooks with confident assertions of progress. “The $148 billion failure: Watchdog’s final report excoriates America’s attempt to rebuild Afghanistan”, Defense One, December 3, 3035.
Congress to Terminate Afghan SIV Program? Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX) has introduced a bill (Congress.gov) to terminate the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, cancel pending applications, mandate a security reassessment of current beneficiaries, and provide for removal of individuals found ineligible or a threat to national security. On December 4, 2025, the bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Africa
Mali on the Brink. The west African country is confronting a deep crisis as a result of jihadist pressure as well as the gradual degradation of state institutions and political isolation of the ruling military junta. The country is more likely on a path of slow, methodical suffocation rather than a dramatic military takeover by jihadists forces. However, the new front opened up by the jihadist in southern and western Mali is extremely concerning. In addition, the human rights abuses by Russian mercenaries is contributing to the undermining of the Mali government’s credibility. “Mali on the Brink: Fiction or Reality?”, by Hafed Al Ghwell, Stimson Center, November 25, 2025. See also “As Russia’s Africa Corps fights in Mali, witnesses describe atrocities from beheading to rape”, Associated Press, December 7, 2025.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
CTC Sentinel. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has published its November / December 2025 issue online. Topics include an interview with the new USSOCOM Commander – Admiral Frank Bradley, the changing character of terrorism, Islamic State affiliates, relying on local actors for CT, and how terrorist elements are getting into e-commerce in Iraq.
https://ctc.westpoint.edu/november-december-2025/
Pub – Marine Corps 101. The Marine Corps, founded Nov. 10, 1775, marked its 250th birthday by publishing a comprehensive magazine introducing readers to foundational knowledge of the service branch. Designed for Marines of all ranks, service members from other branches, civilians and anyone interested in gaining a clear understanding of the Marine Corps, the magazine highlights the service’s history, structure and global presence
Video – Flintlock 2026. This year’s SOCAFRICA Flintlock exercise will take place in Libya and Cote D’Ivoire in April 2026. Watch a short (25 secs) promotional video. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/987882/socaf-prepares-flintlock-26
Book Review – Special Operations Executive: Psychological Warfare Burma 1942-1945. Published 2022, 225 pages. A diary of a psychological warfare officer in World War II who organized influence operations against the Japanese military. InterPopulum: Journal of Irregular Warfare and Special Operations, December 3, 2025.
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