Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: Candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School take part in a an early morning ruck march as part of Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina January 13, 2026. Candidates who attended the three-week assessment and selection were evaluated on their physical fitness, character and intellect as well as their ability to work individually and on a team. If candidates are selected at SEAS they go on to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)
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SOF News
Gen. (Ret.) Fenton and The Honor Foundation. An organization that provides for career transition for U.S. special operations personnel, the Honor Foundation, has appointed Gen. (Ret) Bryan Fenton a member of it Board of Directors. Gen. Fenton is a former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
SOF in the Trump Administration. There are several senior leaders in the Trump administration with a strong background in special operations. Read more in “How SOF Experience Informs Leadership in the Trump Administration”, Special Operations Association of America, February 10, 2026.
CIA and USSOCOM to Collaborate in Technology. The Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Special Operations Command are joining up in an effort to incorporate new technology to be more prepared for future operations in forward areas of conflict. Special operators and intelligence specialists will be using diverse sensors, smart systems, distributed networks, communications platforms, and AI tools that are enhanced with the advanced technologies. The focus areas include advanced analytics, mapping tools, and more. The 17th Rapid Capability Assessment (RCA17) will take place from April 20-24, 2026 in Chantilly, Virginia.
For more info see:
“CIA, SOCOM gearing up for rapid capability assessment with an eye toward ‘field-forward’ ops”, DefenseScoop, February 10, 2026.
“USSOCOM RVCA 17 Event”, SAM.gov.
Chimera FPV Drones for 1st SOW. The U.S. Air Force issued a sole-source justification to buy Chimera small UAVs from Oak Grove Technologies for the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. AFSOC has an approved training program for the Chimera platform. The UAS is a commercial off-the-shelf first person view (FPV) drone. “U.S. Air Force buys Chimera FPV drones for special unit”, Defence Blog, February 11, 2026.
Trump Visits FBNC and SOF Units. The President visited Fort Bragg, North Carolina and met with the unit responsible for the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro several weeks ago. Operation Absolute Resolve involved a few hundred soldiers from FBNC. “Trump honors special forces behind Maduro’s capture at Fort Bragg as global tensions escalate”, Fox News, February 13, 2026.
USSOCOM Contract to Iron Legion JV. The contract, with a ceiling of $265,164,486, is for intelligence support services for U.S. Special Operations Command. The work will be performed in both CONUS and OCONUS locations and is expected to be completed by March 24, 2026. Iron Legion JV LLC is a Tampa, Fl based organization.
“When You Know Your Era is Passing By”. Brad Arnold, founder, lead singer, and songwriter of “3 Doors Down” passed away on Sat, Feb 7, 2026, at age 47. The group’s songs like “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You” played on many headphones and earbuds of military members deployed overseas during the Global War on Terror (GWOT). https://x.com/3doorsdown/status/2020209301915390037/photo/1
SOF and Sabotage. Justin Clipson argues that strategic sabotage must be a SOF core activity in future conflicts. This article examines the USSOCOM core activities, defines strategic sabotage, illustrates the necessity using a modern case study, and how SOF can help the U.S. in succeed in future conflicts. “Strategic Sabotage as a Special Operations Forces Core Activity”, Small Wars Journal, February 13, 2026.
White SOF and Commanders. Sal Artiaga writes on how senior command slots within SOF are going to JSOC officers more than to Special Forces officers with no JSOC experience. Read more in “Who Commands White SOF Now?”, SF Confidential, February 14, 2026.
SOF Intel and Emerging Technology. Sgt. Maj. Erich Franck has penned an essay that argues the special operations enterprise has some blind spots regarding strategic intelligence. Read more in “Special Operations Forces Enterprise: Strategic Intelligence and Emerging Technology”, Joint Special Operations University Press, February 2, 2026.
SOF, SSE, and AI. USSOCOM is looking for ways to add artificial intelligence (AI) to its sensitive site exploitation (SSE) toolbox. The command is exploring the use of AI capabilities in facial recognition, speaker identification, voice matching, biometrics, and more. “SOCOM Wants to use AI to Better Distinguish High Value Targets and Intelligence During Operations”, Sandboxx.us, February 10, 2026.
7th SFG(A) Wins Award for Language Program. The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida was named the USSOCOM Command Language Program of the Year. “7th SFG(A) Displays Excellence in Language”, DVIDS, January 30, 2026.
The War, PTSD, and the Homefront. Long after leaving the war zone a part of the war continues to live in the soldier. PTSD affects not only the soldier but his family as well. Omri Attar writes more in “When the War Comes Home: A Soldier’s Take on Healing”, Special Operations Association of America”, February 12, 2026.
International SOF
British SF in the 2030s. Simon Angim, an instructor in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, provides this paper on the current state and deployment of UK Special Forces (UKSF). “British Special Forces in the 2030s: UKSF, Special Operations, and NATO First”, Military Strategy Magazine, Winter 2025.
UK as NATO ARF-SOCC. The United Kingdom is ready to serve as the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Special Operations Component Command (SOCC). After two years of intensive preparation and training, exercise Hyperion Storm validated the UKSF as the ARF-SOCC. This command leads Joint SOF consisting of air, land, and maritime task groups that is able to deploy on short notice for a crisis or contingency. The ARF-SOCC is responsible for planning, synchronizing, and controlling multinational special operations within a larger joint force. The UK will take over ARF-SOCC lead from Spain in July 2026.
SOF History
On February 24, 1944, Merrill’s Marauders began a campaign in northern Burma. The mission of the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was to disrupt Japanese supply and communications lines.
On February 19, 1968, a Special Forces NCO, Fred Zabitosky, was with his recon team on the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. He would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions that day.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3676994/medal-of-honor-monday-army-master-sgt-fred-w-zabitosky/
On February 23, 1991, SFODA 525 was inserted by helicopter at night and moved to a hide site to conduct a recon mission deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. On the next morning, the 24th, this 5th SFG(A) team would find itself fighting for survival against an overwhelming enemy force.
https://sof.news/history/sfoda-525/
On February 24, 2006, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was officially activated at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
On February 21, 2008, Robin Moore, the author of The Green Berets, died. He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and would later deploy to South Vietnam where he spent time with the 5th Special Forces Group.
National Security and Commentary
DoD Pulls Out of Educational Opportunities at Harvard. The defense department will discontinue some graduate-level professional programs, fellowships, and certificate programs for active-duty service members at Harvard University. This new policy begins with the 2026-2027 academic year. “U.S. Military to Sever Some Academic Ties with Harvard, Hegseth Says”, Harvard Magazine, February 12, 2026. (Editor’s Note: As a graduate of Harvard I just have to “SMH”)
CRS Report – The U.S. Army’s Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT). The army is restructuring some of its brigades to enhance mobility, flexibility, and survivability. The MBCT is going to eventually replace all of the 14 Active Component and 20 Army National Guard Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) as part of a broad Army modernization effort to respond to evolving threats, lessons from Ukraine, and the demands of large-scale combat operations. CRS IF13128, February 9, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13128
Intel, IO, Cyber, AI, IW
US-UK Intel Relationship. J.R. Seeger provides some insight into how well the United States and United Kingdom intelligence services worked together from the beginning of World War II. William ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan was key in building this US-UK intelligence and security relationship. Read more in “The Origin of the US-UK Intelligence ‘Special Relationship'”, Foreign Policy Research Institute, January 29, 2026.
“Be Careful Out There”. Word of caution from your local military CI agent. When you are at the bar remember that “10 + 5 = Honeytrap”.
Maduro Raid and AI. There are reports that ‘Claude’, an artificial intelligence tool produced by Anthropic, was used during Operation Absolute Resolve – the raid conducted in Venezuela by special operations forces and supporting Air Force and Naval aircraft that netted President Maduro. Read more in “Pentagon’s use of Claude during Maduro raid sparks Anthropic feud”, Axios, February 13, 2026.
Medical Support and IW. Aaron Epstein, MD, writes on how insurgent and resistance groups in denied areas should structure how medical support is provided during irregular and clandestine warfare. Irregular Warfare Center, February 12, 2026.
AI and the “Dead Internet Theory”. The use of generative artificial intelligence to generate content on the internet is going to have increasingly negative implications for online viewing of websites and social media. Non-state and state actors are using AI to generate narratives to sway audiences to their ‘point of view’ – which in many cases does not reflect reality. There is so much misinformation and disinformation that it is becoming difficult to determine what is fact and what is false. At some point, the internet may become less and less reliable as a source of information and more as a weapon for bad actors. “War on Minds: Artificial Intelligence and the Information Environment”, The Soufan Center, February 12, 2026.
Strategic Competition
Russian’s Weaponization of Video Games. The Russians and other nefarious organizations are using video gaming as a recruitment tool. Gaming ecosystems offer Moscow plenty of room to use hybrid tactics with audiences abroad. The gaming platforms are converted into battlefields for influence and recruitment. This has assisted Russia into recruiting foreigners for the Ukraine war. “How Russia Turns Gamers into Fighters”,Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), February 13, 2026.
Russian IO and the GIUK Gap. Russia’s navy passing through the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap is heavily watched by NATO forces. As all of these island nations are part of NATO, Russia’s fleet would have a difficult time passing through the GIUK Gap in times of war. However, Russia is working on that problem set by conducting influence operations in Greenland and Scotland encouraging independence movements. Read more in “Atlantic Chokepoint, Cognitive Front: Russian Influence Operations and the GIUK Gap”, The Arctic Institute, February 10, 2026.
Allied Irregular Warfare and the High North. The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted the joining of Finland and Sweden to the NATO alliance. This put NATO on an additional 830 miles of Russia’s border. The accession to NATO of these two countries presents the alliance with new opportunities for irregular warfare. IW can be used to bolster defensive capabilities (resilience) as well as create offensive or counter-offensive capabilities (utilizing the geographic position of the countries). Both Sweden and Finland have highly skilled special operations forces. “Northern Approaches: Finland, Sweden, and the Growing Opportunities for Allied Irregular Warfare”, by Rick Chersicla,Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 10, 2026.
Ukraine Conflict
General Kellogg Leaves Post. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Keith Kellogg is no longer the “Special Envoy” to Ukraine for the White House. He departed that post in December 2025. Apparently he was replaced by Steve Witkoff – a friend of President Trump and a real estate developer. The Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, also seems to be involved in the Ukraine conflict negotiations. Kellogg was highly regarded by the Ukrainian government and military establishment. He was an Army career officer that retired in 2003 – among his career highlights is service in Vietnam, the Gulf War (as a civilian), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He was Special Forces qualified, a former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, and former commander of Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). After his retirement from the Army he held positions in various defense corporations as well as with some ‘think tanks’. He served during both the first and second Trump administrations.
Russians Lose Some Starlink Access. Both Russia and Ukraine have made extensive use of the commercial Starlink service that provides long-range, jam-resistant communication. However, recently the SpaceX service is being denied to the Russians; while terminals officially registered in Ukraine will work. Russian situational awareness, intelligence reporting, and coordination has been hampered – negatively affecting combat operations. “Starlink Shutdown: Musk Throws Russian Forces Into Chaos”, Forbes.com, February 6, 2026.
Some Pretty Cool Intel Work by Ukraine. A Ukrainian cyber unit, working with two OSINT organizations – InformNapalm and MILITANT, created fake Telegram bots offering to register Starlink terminals; this after many Russian Starlink accounts went away. Looking hard for connectivity after SpaceX’s geofence block, the scam prompted desperate Russians to hand over terminal IDs, coordinates, and $5,870 in payments for Starlink access. The yield for Ukrainian intelligence? Over 2,400 entries on Russian troop locations delivered to Ukrainian intel. Read more in Business Insider, February 12, 2026. Thanks to the International Spy Museum for calling attention to this article in LinkedIn.
CRS Report – Russian Military Performance and Outlook. Despite a larger recruitment base for personnel and defense industrial capacity, the Russian military has not been able to decisively defeat the Ukrainian Armed Forces since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian military has suffered significant losses in equipment and personnel. However, it is projected to sustain current operations over the short term. Read more about personnel, casualties, command and control, equipment, ammunition, current military performance, and outlook for the future. CRS, IF12606, February 4, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12606
U.S. Advisory Efforts in Support of Ukraine. Benjamin Stumpf writes about the job of advising in “What I Learned from Being a Planner in an Advisor Command: Reflections from the Security Assistance Groupe – Ukraine”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 12, 2026.
- 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
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.
Around the World
Iran’s IC. The intelligence community of Iran (map, NSI) is large with different organizations responsible for selected aspects of internal and external security. The Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) is the main intel agency in Iran; however, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a very powerful security organization as well. Read more in “Iranian Intelligence Community: An Overview”, by Daniel Blanco Paz, Grey Dynamics, February 2, 2026.
ISIS Prisoner Transfer from Syria. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed moving ISIS detainees from detention facilities in Syria to Iraqi custody. Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) led mission planning, coordination, and execution of the operation. Almost 6,000 adult detainees were transferred to Iraq.
More News on Syria. For several days in February, U.S. Central Command carried out airstrikes on more than 30 ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage locations. Drones, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aircraft were used for the strikes. The U.S. has also departed the al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria. The Syrian military has taken over the base. The move from al-Tanf is part of an overall drawdown of U.S. forces from Syria. President has tried to downsize the U.S. military presence in Syria for many years – beginning withdrawal efforts from Syria in 2018.
2nd MBCT, 10th Mtn to CENTCOM. The 2nd IBCT, 34th Infantry Division of the Iowa Army National Guard currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) will soon be replaced by the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team. The MBCT is a new formation as a result of the Army’s transformation that is taking place. Read more in “U.S. Forces Complete Mission in Syria to Transfer ISIS Detainees to Iraq”, CENTCOM.mil, February 13, 2026.
USS Gerald R. Ford (aircraft carrier) and its escort ships are steaming to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. She will join the USS Abraham Lincoln that is already positioned there – having left the Pacific weeks earlier.
Erik Prince Busy in Africa . . . Again. Blackwater founder Erik Prince deployed a private security force to operate drones in the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist its army in securing a city against Rwanda-backed rebels. The private military company is involved in the recapture of the city of Uvira from AFC/M23 rebels. The conflict between the government of DRC and M23 is one of the eight or nine Trump says he has stopped through mediation. Apparently, there is still a little more mediation needed. “Trump ally Prince sent men, drones to help Congo’s army secure strategic town”, Reuters, February 10, 2026.
U.S. Contingent in Nigeria? Social media posts are stating that the U.S. has sent a small team of troops to Nigeria (map, NSI). The country has seen a lot of violence over the past few decades – some from the Boko Haram insurgent group located in northeast Nigeria and some from the conflict between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. See “Pentagon to send 200 troops to Nigeria to fight militants, reports say”, Stars and Stripes, February 11, 2026.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Parameters. The U.S. Army War College has posted its Winter 2025-2026 issue online. United States Army War College Press.
Spotlight. The February 2026 issue from the Irregular Warfare Center.
https://irregularwarfarecenter.org/news/newsletter/february-2026-newsletter/
Video – Secretary Rubio delivers remarks to the Munich Security Conference, DVIDS, February 14, 2026, 30 minutes. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/996290/secretary-rubio-delivers-remarks-munich-security-conference
Book Review – From OSS to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces, by Col. (Ret.) Aaron Bank, Presidio Press, 1986. Review by the Harding Project.
https://www.hardingproject.com/p/throwback-thursday-69d
Podcast. Brown, Dave, “Episode 23: Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022 – Implications for the Changing Character of War” (2026). The Trident Podcast. 23. https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/the-trident/23
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Upcoming Events
February 17-18, 2026
36th Annual NDIA Special Operations Symposium
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April 10-12, 2026
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April 27 – May 1, 2026
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May 18-21, 2026
SOF Week 2026
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May 28-31, 2026
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June 7-11, 2026
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June 23-25, 2026
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