Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, national security, and global conflicts.
Executive Summary
This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. This past week saw expanding Pakistan–Afghanistan interstate strikes, increased NATO Arctic readiness activity, the continuing of the Iran War, U.S. interest in Ukraine’s counter-UAS capabilities, the rise of global Jihadism, and another Russian tanker sunk in the Mediterranean by a sea drone (Ukrainians?). Some of this weeks topics include a new Army hand grenade, some neat history on the Fulton Recovery System, and as always, articles about strategic competition.
Key Outlooks
- U.S. and Israel have achieved air superiority (maybe air supremacy), Iranian missile and drone attacks significantly reduced, Strait of Hormuz is a problem that needs solving, Iranian regime will likely survive, final disposition of nuclear materials in doubt.
- NATO activity in the Arctic continues to prioritize SOF mobility and cold weather persistent capabilities.
- Russia’s operational approach in Ukraine remains attritional, favoring incremental territorial gains over maneuver warfare. Ukraine is holding the line but equipment and personnel shortages present problems.
- AI-enabled intelligence tools are moving from experimental adoption toward operations integration across Western security institutions.
Photo / Image: U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) begin movement on their snowmobiles during Cold Weather Training at Taylor Park, Colorado, Feb. 12, 2026. Snowmobile training equips Soldiers to navigate challenging terrain in cold weather conditions. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cheyenne Mayer)
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Operation Epic Fury Update
The bombing campaign is having significant results on Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones. European naval forces are increasing their presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea to protect maritime routes. Iranian proxy groups across the region remain on heightened alert, Hezbollah are sending drones and missiles into northern Israel, Shia militias are conducting limited attacks in Iraq. Negotiations are not making any at this time. President Trump wants NATO help with the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Lebanon. Israel may step up operations in southern Lebanon in Operation Hammer; could be a large-scale move into Lebanon. It may rival the 1982 and 2006 events.
Strait of Hormuz. President Trump is asking world leaders and NATO to assist in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian mines, air drones, and sea drones pose a threat to vessels attempting to transit the Straits. Iranian strategy is trending toward attacking critical links in the global economy in hopes of outlasting U.S. and Israel resolve and political support. (satellite image of Strait of Hormuz, NASA, 2018)
The topic of U.S. Navy minesweepers has been in the media the past few weeks. Four Avenger class mine hunters based in the Middle East were decommissioned last year and left the region for good aboard a heavy lift ship in January. Four other Avengers are in the Japan region. Three Independence class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that were configured for minesweeping duties replaced the Avengers; however, two of them are now reported in Malaysia. Read about in “U.S. Navy Minesweepers Assigned to Middle East Have Been Moved to Pacific”, The War Zone, March 15, 2026.
SOF Aircraft Deploy from England to ME. Recently several US Special Operations Forces aircraft departed from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and flew to the Middle East. The MC-130Js are equipped with the Silent Knight radar modification which enables precise terrain-following and terrain-avoidance capabilities. The aircraft are part of the 352nd Special Operations Wing. (LondonLovesBusiness, 12 Mar 2026)
Navy SEALs and Kharg Island. The SOF community could possibly be tasked with taking and occupying Kharg Island located in the Persian Gulf just a few miles from the Iranian coastline. Kharq Island is where 90% of Iran’s oil is stored and shipped from. Oil exports make up around 40% of Iran’s budget. Seizure of the island would give Washington leverage over Iran’s foreign policy, Iran’s actions on the Strait of Hormuz, and support of proxy groups throughout the Middle East. Read a few scenarios on how the raid could possibly go down. “How Trump could take over Iran’s ‘oil island’ in most dangerous raid ever”, The U.S. Sun, March 14, 2026.
2/20th SFG(A) In Middle East. Members of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) of the Mississippi National Guard were sent in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. “Mississippi National Guard deploys troops to support Operation Epic Fury”, WAPT.com, March 13, 2026.
Iran Conflict Disrupts Ukraine Supply Lines. The blockade of shipping routes from Asia due to the conflict surrounding Iran is making the supply of batteries and drone parts for the Ukrainian army slower and more expensive. Asian countries are the biggest exporters of batteries, backup power supplies, and electronic components – needed by Ukraine for communication and drone production. Large container lines are redirecting vessels from the Suez Canal and sending ships around the southern tip of Africa. So delivery times, shipping costs, and charge insurance are rising. “Iran war disrupts supply lines to Ukraine’s battlefield”, CounterOffensive, March 12, 2026. (subscription)
Strategic Context. The continued air campaign against Iranian targets indicates the coalition is prioritizing degradation of Iran’s missile and drone capabilities before expanding operations against proxy networks across the region. Israel is moving more troops to its border with Lebanon.
SOF News
CA Unit Trains with Elite Cameroon Battalion. U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) and Cameroon’s elite Bataillon d’intervention Rapide (BIR) recently concluded their first Civil Affairs Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Garoua, Cameroon. The milestone event, which concluded on February 12, 2026, marked a three-week collaboration aimed at fostering military partnerships and enhancing operational readiness. Soldiers of the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion worked with their counterparts on a number of critical skills that included TCCC, civil engagement, civil reconnaissance, and civil network development. “U.S. Army and Cameroon Complete First Civil Affairs Joint Training Exchange”, DVIDS, February 5, 2026.
Former Green Beret on the Run. A former Special Forces soldier charged in 2024 with illegally exporting military equipment for use in Venezuela has been missing for months and is now considered a fugitive. He was the ringleader of the failed 2020 “Operation Gideon” (SOF News) raid launched from Colombia to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. Two members of the raiding party captured were former Special Forces soldiers. “Former Green Beret Behind a Failed Coup in Venezuela Is on the Run”, The New York Times, May 13, 2026. (subscription)
Freefalling in the Arctic. A 10th Special Forces Group military free-fall team spent some time in the Arctic training on survival and operations in a frozen environment. “Freefalling at 35 below: Inside an elite Army unit’s training in the unforgiving Arctic”, The Washington Times, March 12, 2026.
SOF and Sea Denial Deep in Russia. A Ukrainian operation, likely carried out by SOF, in October 2025, struck a Russian LACM-armed corvette, the Grad, a vessel designed to conduct deep precision strikes from inland waters. The attack took place at Lake Onega situated northeast of St. Petersburg. Moscow is enhancing its ability to launch cruise missiles at land targets from its inland waterways. It is imperative that NATO states demonstrate a means of countering this capability. Commander Helge Adrians, a German Navy officer, provides more detail in “Seal Denial Deep Inside Russia: The Role of Special Operations Forces in Countering Warships on Inland Waters”, Modern War Institute at West Point, March 10, 2026.
Combat Swimmer Operations. During the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) era there was little demand for the capabilities that combat swimmer teams (Navy SEALs and SF) offered. But now the U.S. is in the era of strategic completion and there is plenty of coastline to think about. “Combat Swimmer Operations and Their Importance in a Near-Peer Conflict”, SANDBOXX News, March 13, 2026.
WW II Marine Raider Remains Identified. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Pfc. Norton Retzsch had been accounted for in April 2025. Retzsch was a member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion during World War II. He was reported missing in action in July 1943 during the Battle of Enogai on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands in Operation Toenails. He will be buried on April 13, 2026, in Marina, Arizona. “Marine Raider’s remains identified 80 years after being killed in action”, Military Times, March 13, 2026.
SF WOs and EI. Two recent articles explore the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) for Special Forces Warrant Officers. The U.S. Army’s Warrant Officer Corps are the institution’s technical experts, advisors, and integrators. In addition, they are often the emotional anchor of their unit’s emotional intelligence. “The Advisor’s Edge: Why EI is the Warrant Officer’s True Force Multiplier”, Line of Departure, March 1, 2026; and “The Importance of Emotional Intelligence for Special Forces Warrant Officers During Unconventional Operations”, by Dr. Daniel W. Ross, Line of Departure, June 1, 2025.
MSOT in JCET with Kenyan Commandos. Members of the Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) concluded a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) with the Kenyan Marine Commando Unit (MCU) in Isiolo, Kenya, on February 7, 2026. (DVIDS, February 6, 2026)
Operation Coldfeet. In the early 1960s naval aircraft flying over the Arctic Ocean sighted abandoned Soviet drift stations. (Wikipedia) A drift station is a manned, mobile research facility built on Arctic sea ice, designed to drift with the natural ocean currents and winds to conduct year-round studies of the Arctic Ocean. This attracted the interest of the U.S and in May 1962 two men parachuted onto one of the abandoned Soviet drift stations. After gathering intelligence and scientific data they were extracted by the Fulton Recovery System. (Special Forces History) Read more in “Evergreen’s B-17, The CIA, and Operation Coldfeet”, RN3DB, February 28, 2025.
Guerrilla Leader Theory. The U.S. has a long and difficult history with population-centric irregular warfare. While U.S. forces have significant tactical competence it struggles to operate in the human domain where advising, partnering with, and winning the trust of indigenous forces and the populations they represent. Dr. Joseph Long, a retired Special Forces officer, writes about this in “The Guerrilla Leader Theory: A Data-Driven Approach to Winning within the Human Domain”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, March 9, 2026.
Navy SEAL’s Night Raid Hon Tre Island. Bob Kerrey led a daring 1969 Hon Tre Island raid, earning the Medal of Honor. Kerry was the leader of a seven-man team from Delta Platoon, SEAL Team One. He lost the lower part of his leg and but the mission secured vital Viet Cong intelligence. In civilian life, he would become the governor of Nebraska in 1982 and later a United States senator in 1989. “Today in Military History: Navy SEAL Bob Kerrey’s Night Raid on Hon Tre Island”, SOFREP, March 14, 2026. (subscription)
91st CA Company Stands Down. The guidon of Fox Company, 91st Civil Affairs Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), was cased on March 6, 2026. This marked the formal inactivation of a unit whose work was pivotal to U.S. Army missions across Africa, the Middle East, and the world. It’s soldiers have served across the vast expense of Trans-Shara and other parts of Africa as well as in Afghanistan. “A Legacy Cemented: 91st Civil Affairs Fox Company Stands Down”, DVIDS, March 10, 2026.
SOF History
On March 21, 1962, the 22nd Special Warfare Aviation Detachment was activated at Fort Bragg, NC to support the 5th and 7th SFG(A), the 1st and 13th Psychological Warfare Battalions, and the US Army Center for Special Warfare. In June 1962 it was reorganized and designated the 22nd Aviation Detachment (Special Forces). The detachment was inactivated on December 3, 1963.
On March 16, 1967, Operation Bright Light was initiated. During the Vietnam War when a down pilot, Hatchet Force, or Recon Team was in trouble a MACV-SOG Bright Light team was formed and inserted into the fight to find, locate, assist, and exfiltrate the element in trouble.
On March 21, 1967, SFC Charles Hosking Jr., U.S. Army Special Forces, lost his life after he took the blast of a hand grenade to save the lives of his fellow Americans and members of the Vietnamese CIDG Reaction Force. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
On March 19, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) began. Special operations forces played a big role in the invasion of Iraq. SOF elements conducted CTBM in the West and UW in the South. Elements of the 10th SFG(A) linked up with Kurdish forces in northern Iraq.
On March 19, 2003, attack helicopters of the 160th SOAR struck Iraqi targets along the southern and western borders. The MH-60 “Black Hawk” Direct Action Penetrators (DAPs) and AH-6M “Killer Egg” attack helicopters eliminated over 70 Iraqi observations posts, crippling the enemy’s ability to effectively gauge the size and scope of the incoming ground assault.
https://www.national-security.info/weapons/aircraft/MH-6X-mission-enhanced-little-birds.jpg
Operation Ugly Baby. On March 22, 2003, JSOAD-N would successfully insert 19 U.S. Army Special Forces teams along with 4 Company Headquarters elements onto landing zones in northern Iraq. https://sof.news/iraq/ugly-baby/
National Security and Commentary
New Army Hand Grenade. The U.S. Army has decided to replace the Mk3A2 hand grenade series; an offensive grenade used for clearing rooms, trenches, and other enclosed spaces. The Mk3A2 entered service in 1968. The replacement for the Mk3A2 is the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade (OHG). The Mk3A2 uses an asbestos body while the new grenade uses a plastic body. The M111 has greater blast overpressure. The Army has six different types of hand grenades. The M67, a fragmentation grenade, will continue to be used for open terrain. “Army approves M111, first new lethal hand grenade since 1968”, U.S. Army Times, March 10, 2026.
Mental Health and U.S. Servicemembers. Evidence shows that among serving military (both active and reserve components) and veterans sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders frequently occur together and reinforce one another. Unfortunately, today’s mental health infrastructure is still not fully aligned with military specific needs. Policy makers must address the gaps that exist in order to maintain readiness and remove deterrents to military service. “Insomnia, Trauma, and Substances”, by Jonathan Kenigson, The War Room Online Journal, U.S. Army War College, March 12, 2026.
Russian LNG Tanker Sunk in Med. A Russian LNG tanker has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Russians have accused Ukrainian sea drones launched from Libya of attacking the Arctic Metagaz. (Vessel Finder) The vessel had 30 Russians on board. The vessel was enroute from the northern port of Murmansk and was likely headed to Port Said in Egypt. The vessel was sanctioned by Western countries as part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’. “Russia blames Ukrainian naval drones as tanker sinks in Mediterranean”, BBC, March 4, 2026.
Reforming Our Military Colleges. Bradford T. Duplessis argues that reform of the military colleges is necessary; but he worries that the “cult of lethality approach” will not address strategic study. He doubts this new approach advanced by SecDef Hegseth will produce the senior military leaders with the necessary skills and attributes to lead in today’s complex environment. Duplessis is a retired Army infantry officer with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and a graduate of the National War College. “Military Senior Service Colleges Require Reform, But There Sure Are Some Bad Ideas Out There”, War on the Rocks, March 13, 2026.
Chinese Espionage. Dr. Tahir Mahmood Azad provides a detailed summary of current Chinese espionage operations and the West’s response. “China’s Expanding Global Intelligence Footprint in the Digital Age”, Small Wars Journal, March 9, 2026.
Intel, IO, Cyber, AI, IW, Technology
AF Portable Cyber Training Platform. An Airman saw a gap in cyber readiness and created a solution. He created a self-contained, portable platform that lets Airmen train anywhere, anytime, without relying on costly lab infrastructure. “Massachusetts Guardsman Invents Portable Cyber Training, Development Platform”, NationalGuard.mil, February 26, 2026.
Cognitive Overload on the Battlefield. U.S. Army officers say battlefield leaders facing new drone threats have another problem to deal with – it’s information overload. The inundation of information is pushing the Army to rely more heavily on technology to filter and prioritize data before it reaches a commander. (Business Insider, 12 Mar 2026)
AI Chatbots and War Plans. Software demos and Pentagon records detail how chatbots like Anthropic’s Claude could help the Pentagon analyze intelligence and suggest next steps. “Palantir Demos Show How the Military Could Use AI Chatbots to Generate War Plans”, Wired, March 13, 2026.
New Director of USAGM Nominated. Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers has been nominated to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
Ukraine Conflict
Lessons from Ukraine’s Drone-Saturated Battlefields. The advent of drone technology demonstrated by Ukrainian military units has captured the attention of military analysts and provides commentary on how drones are fundamentally altering modern ground warfare. However, innovation on the battlefield has happened many times in the past and the significance many times was overstated. “The Menace of Misunderstanding: Learning the Wrong Lessons from Ukraine’s Drone-Saturated Battlefields”, Modern Warfare Institute at West Point, March 11, 2026.
Ukraine to Assist in Counter-Drone Operations in Gulf Region. The Ukrainians have become very adept in countering drone attacks from Russia. In particular, it has develop some very good defenses for defeating the Russian Shahed 136 drone. The Shahed is an Iranian design that was provided to Russia. Now the Ukrainians are offering to assist the United States and Gulf nations with training and technology that would assist them in defeating the Iranian Shaheds. “Pentagon and Gulf States Explore Ukrainian Low-Cost Interceptors to Counter Iranian Shahed Drones”, United24 Media, March 6, 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
News From Around the World
Deterring North Korea. C.B. Duncan writes about the “Korea Question” and how the U.S. should design and implement a campaign plan for deterrence and victory. He advocates for an effective whole-of-government approach seeking four major end states along with three major lines of effort (LOEs). “Katchi Kapshida: How to Deter North Korea, Together”, Small Wars Journal, March 10, 2026.
Pakistan – Afghanistan Tension. Pakistan hit Afghanistan with more aerial attacks in the past several days. The most recent occurred on Thursday in Kabul, Kandahar, and other locations. Some of the sites attacked appear to be weapons and ammunition storage depots. A recent report states that Pakistan has begun hitting Taliban leadership. All last week clashes were reported along sections of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
RAF Regiment in Arctic Warfare Training. Member of the 51 Squadron RAF Regiment conducted training under Exercise Nordic Cheetah in Evenes, Norway. This exercise is in preparation for Exercise Cold Response 2026. (UK Defence Journal, 16 Mar 2026)
Canada Steps up in Defense Infrastructure. Canada will be funding new military hubs and roads and improving northern airports in a comprehensive $35-billion plan to modernize and expand Canada’s military footprint in the country’s Far North. The network of bases will enable Canadian military to deploy rapidly and support year-round response across the remote North. “Carney announces $35B for defense, infrastructure in Canada’s North”, CBC.ca, March 12, 2026.
Worries about Svalbard. Located midway between the North Pole and Norway, Svalbard will possibly be a contested area between Russia and NATO. Russia is now attempting to exert more influence over the Norway territory against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tension in the Arctic region. “Don’t let political drama about Greenland distract from Svalbard”, Arctic Today, March 12, 2026.
Competition in HOA. Strategic ports in the Horn of Africa have become focal points of global power in the quest for critical Red Sea trade routes. “Ports, Power, and the Rising Competition in the Horn of Africa”, by Mohamed Nouh Rakaab, International Policy Digest, March 9, 2026.
Global Jihadism. Al-Qaeda’s membership, along with its immediate affiliates, could amount to 25,000. But there are other sympathetic groups as well like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic State and its affiliates, and numerous small groups. Many of these jihadist groups have formed sanctuaries and support zones in the Sahel region and Horn of Africa. Read more in “Learning the Wrong Lessons? Counterterrorism Amid a Jihadist Revival”, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), March 12, 2026.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Book Review: Modern Hybrid Warfare: Russia Versus the West. Ciprian Clipa, a Romanian special operations officer, reviews this book by Ryan c. Maness and Brandon Valeriano, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2025. The authors provide an empirical assessment of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy against the Ukraine and the West.
Army Pub: FM 1 The Army. A primer to our profession of arms has been updated. Read an article in Military Review on a publication essential for understanding how the Army works. The FM can be read in whole at this link by at Army Pubs. (PDF, 104 pgs). Or watch a video on YouTube posted by the U.S. Army Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate. (March 10, 2026, YouTube, 25 minutes)
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Upcoming Events
April 10-12, 2026
Best Ranger Competition
Fort Benning, GA
April 27 – May 1, 2026
SOMA 2026 – Raleigh, NC
Special Operations Medical Association
May 18-21, 2026
SOF Week 2026
GSOF – Tampa, FL
May 28-31, 2026
Det A / PSSE Annual Reunion
Knoxville, TN
June 7-11, 2026
Special Forces Association Convention
Eglin AFB and Fort Walton Beach, Florida
June 22-24, 2026
CIWAG Maritime Symposium
Newport, Rhode Island
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