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. The April 11, 2026 ceasefire conference in Islamabad, Pakistan concluded without agreement on terms to end the Iran conflict. The U.S. will begin a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and other Iranian ports. Best Ranger competition ends. A paper on what the UK SF will look like in the 2020s. SOF needs to keep up with a wide range of technologies; crypto is one of them.
Photo / Image: Green Berets with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) practice underwater transportation methods Sept. 2022, near Fort Campbell, Ky. Green Berets continually adapt to their environment and create solutions to solve complex challenges. (U.S. Army Courtesy Photo by Spc. Taylor Shaffer)
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Operational Outlook
- The U.S.-Iran ceasefire conference held Saturday yields no agreement.
- U.S. begins a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- New leadership in Hungary is a defeat for Russia but a positive for NATO and Ukraine.
- Ukraine appears to be gaining the upper hand over Russia in drone warfare.
SOF News
CORRECTION TO LAST MONDAY’S POST: We posted last Monday, April 6, 2026, that General David Hodne, the commander of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, was leaving his post per the direction of SecDef Hegseft. In our post we confused the experience and background of Gen. David Hodne with that of his brother, COL (Ret) Dan Hodne. David is a career infantry officer with extensive experience with Ranger Regiment. Dan is a retired Special Forces officer. Read Gen. Hodne’s biography.
British SF in 2030s. Simon Anglim’s paper discusses United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) in the context of UK national strategy in the mid-2020s and onwards. The UKSF are the one world-class military capability still remaining after several decades of major cuts to defense spending and consequent reduction in military capacity. This is a detailed, informative, and interesting read. Anglim, Simon, “British Special Forces in the 2030s: UKSF, ‘Special Operations’ and ‘NATO First’,” Military Strategy Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 4, winter 2026, pages 29-34. https://doi.org/10.64148/msm.v10i4.4
Crypto and SOF. The nature of warfare is constantly changing which affects how armed forces fight. This is especially true for special operations forces where new innovations and technology can be integrated into the toolbox of the SOF operator. Financial tools like crypto offer additional resources at the operational and tactical level in three core activities: covert payment, nonstandard acquisitions, and deception operations. However, crypto can also present some dangers if protective protocols are not followed. “Covert Crypto: a Double-edged Sword for Special Operations”, by Catherine M. Woods, Irregular Warfare Initiative, April 9, 2026. Read more about SOF and cryptocurrencies.
Former Employee of SMU Arrested. The FBI arrested Courtney Williams, 40, and a grand jury indicted her in connection with her alleged transmission of classified national defense information to a journalist. From 2010 to 2016 Williams worked for the Army at Fort Bragg North Carolina and held a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance. Between 2022 and 2025 she repeatedly communicated with the journalist via telephone and text messages (180 messages). (Department of Justice, April 8, 2026)
10th SFG(A) and Exercise Deep Strike. Members of 2/10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) recently took part in Exercise Deep Strike at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany. The exercise tasks SOF teams with infiltration, UAS operations, movement, and survival in harsh winter conditions.
Leadership and Irregular Warfare. Dr. Joseph Long writes about what happens when leaders fail to adapt – and how Special Operations Forces can lead better. He argues that it is important to understand the unfortunate and predictable path to failure and how, using his leadership model, to avoid it. The context of his essay is where a liberating force has initial support of the population, but then, due to a number of factors, begins to lose the support of the liberated people. The liberator becomes the occupier. “The Liberator’s Dilemma”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, April 7, 2026.
Podcast – Robin Sage and Unconventional Warfare. This podcast explains how Special Forces candidates operate in a realistic, community-based exercise that feels closer to real missions than most people recognize. Pineland Underground, March 18, 2022, 1 hr 19 mins.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4nnJD0rE3TFN1hEjLHRWhs
JPRA. Learn about how members of a Joint Personnel Recovery Center (JPRC) get trained up to manage personnel recovery operations. “The Little-Known Pentagon Agency Behind the Rescue of the F-15 Crew in Iran”, Sandboxx News, April 8, 2026.
Best Ranger Competition. 2026 Best Ranger Winners: Congratulations to Sgt. Drew Schorsh and Spc. Caleb Godbold, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment. Over sixty two-man teams competed. Check out the rankings.
Brain Injury and CCA Boats. Sailors who man Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) boats are in danger of traumatic brain injuries. At risk are the lower back and neck from repeatedly slamming into waves. Read more in “Navy SEAL speedboat crews at risk of brain injury, watchdog says”, Stars and Stripes, April 7, 2026.
International SOF
Cessna SkyCouriers for Belgian SOF. American aircraft manufacturer Cessna announced that the SkyCourier is being purchased by the Belgian military to be used with its SOF units. “Special Operations Forces Now Go into Combat on Cessna SkyCouriers”, autoevolution, April 8, 2026.
Forging US Special Forces in WWII. Scotland played a pivotal role as a training ground for some of the most elite Allied forces, including the U.S. Army Rangers, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the Jedburgh teams. The collaboration between British Commandos, SOE operatives, and their American counterparts helped forge the foundations of modern-day Special Forces. “SOE Expeditions Presents: WW2 Scotland – Forging US Special Forces”, Soldier Systems, April 11, 2026.
SOF History
On April 14, 1942, Detachment 101 was activated for service in China-Burma-India (CBI) theater during World War II. It was formed under the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI) just weeks before the COI became the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).
https://www.specialforceshistory.info/units/oss-detachment101.html
On April 10, 1952, The Psychological Warfare Center was established at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. “Its origins can be found in the Psychological Warfare (PSYWAR) Division of the Army General School, Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950. In 1952 the center was formed on “Smoke Bomb Hill” at FBNC. The PSYWAR Center consisted of the Psychological Warfare School, the 6th Radio Broadcast & Leaflet Group, and the 10th Special Forces Group.” https://specialforcestraining.info/swcs.htm
On April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy officially authorized the Green Beret for U.S. Army Special Forces, calling it “a symbol of excellence . . . a badge of courage”.
https://www.specialforceshistory.info/culture/green-beret.html
On April 12, 1963, the 8th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was established at Fort Gulick, Panama Canal Zone. The unit was responsible for special operations and counterinsurgency training for the Latin America region. https://www.specialforceshistory.info/groups/8sfga.html
On April 14, 1965 the Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered the deployment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Okinawa to South Vietnam. They were the first major conventional U.S. Army ground combat unit committed to the war. After six years of continuous combat, paratroopers of the 173d suffered 1,744 KIAs and 9,027 WIAs. They had 13 MoH recipients, the most of any conventional unit per capita of the war, second only to the 5th SFG who had 16.
On April 15, 1967, the 46th Special Forces Company was constituted. This unit was established in Thailand and conducted a variety of missions during the conflict in Indochina. https://www.specialforceshistory.info/units/46th-company.html
On April 10, 1972 in Vietnam, a downed aviator was rescued by a Navy SEAL. Lt. Mark Clark (grandson of the famous WWII general) and Capt William Henderson were forced to eject from an OV-10 FAC aircraft (Nail-38) that was hit by a SAM. Henderson was soon captured by the NVA. Clark, who landed in different area than the pilot and evaded capture for several days, was rescued by Navy Seal Lt Thomas Norris on April 10.Two days later, LTC Icel Hambleton (who ejected from an EB-66C (Bat-21) was also rescued by Norris. For these efforts, Norris was awarded the MOH. The CIA had already left I Corps and the only operating intelligence unit still operating was the 571st MI Detachment. (from chapter 14 of Break in the Chain Intelligence Ignored)
On April 13, 1972, Lt. Col. Iceal “Gene” Hambleton was rescued after surviving for 11 and a half days behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Shot down on April 2, 1972, he was recovered by a specialized, daring ground mission led by US Navy SEAL Lt. Thomas Norris and Vietnamese Navy petty officer Nguyen Van Kiet. https://sof.news/history/a-most-unusual-sea-commando/
On April 13, 1987 President Reagan approved the establishment of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq begins on April 13, 1991.
https://sof.news/history/operation-provide-comfort-iraq-1991/
https://iraqwarnews.info/pc/provide-comfort.html
National Security and Commentary
Sec Army – Not Leaving. After the firing of General George, Army chief of staff, there was speculation that Secretary of the Army might resign. At this time, Dan Driscoll says he isn’t going anywhere. In a statement to The Washington Post he said “I have no plans to depart or resign as the Secretary of the Army”. (The Washington Post, 7 Apr 2026)
Selective Service Registration Automatic. The Selective Service System will automatically register all eligible U.S. men ages 18 to 26 for the military draft pool by December 2026. The United States has maintained an all-volunteer military since February 1973. Reinstating conscription requires a separate act of Congress signed by the president. “Automatic registration for US military draft to begin in December”, The Hill, April 8, 2026.
Baltics on the Frontline. After Russia mounted its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Baltic states were perceived as the next targets of Russia. Robert Wihtol reviews a book entitled Baltic: The Future of Europe by Oliver Moody that explores this dynamic thoroughly. “Bookshelf: the Baltic is NATO’s new front line”, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, April 13, 2026.
Hungary’s Election. Hungarian voters ended the 16-year tenure of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government maintained close political ties with Moscow. This will be looked upon as a favorable result by NATO members as well as Ukraine. JD Vance had traveled to Hungary to advocate for the incumbent prime minister, Viktor Orban. He is a far-right politician who was seeking a consecutive fifth term in office. The opposition candidate is Peter Magyar, the center-right leader of the pro-European Tisza Party.
JTF Southern Spear Conducts Two Lethal Strikes. On April 11, 2026, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted two lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels that were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. Five people were killed and one survived. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified to search for the survivor. Watch video.
Iran War and Operation Epic Fury
A good news rollup for the past several days is available here at Operation Epic Fury Update – 12 April 2026 (SOF News). The U.S.-Iran ceasefire conference held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan was inconclusive. The 21-hour long conference did not produce an agreement. As the conference did not result in an agreement, President Trump is going to step up the pressure on Iran. The United States is initiating a naval interdiction effort in the Strait of Hormuz intended to restrict maritime payments to Iranian authorities. Read the announcement by CENTCOM on X, 12 April 2026.
The blockade will begin on April 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
The USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. These two ships are guided-missile destroyers optimized for air defense, missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat, not for mine countermeasures (MCM). They will certainly be part of a protective force keeping mine-clearing assets safe once they arrive in the Persian Gulf.
Iran has two navies. One is the conventional navy consisting of larger ships. This navy, deployed on waters outside of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly degraded over past several weeks. The other navy belongs to the Revolutionary Guard and operates primarily in the Persian Gulf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (Wikipedia) consists of fast-attack craft and speedboats that can employ missiles, drones, and mines – as well as conduct swarm tactics. This well-dispersed small-boat force utilizing hidden coastal infrastructure and asymmetrical tactics will be able to disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. It has key bases located at Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Mahshahr, Asaluyeh Port, and Bandar Lengeh. Read more in “The U.S. Sank One of Iran’s Navies. The Other Still Controls Hormuz”, The Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2026.
Munitions Running Low. Reuben Johnson provides is analysis on how the U.S. has burned through some of its top line munitions in the past six weeks leaving very little on the shelf for future contingencies. In addition, he points out the slow pace of production to replenish munitions stocks that have been depleted. “The U.S. Fired 18 Months of Patriot Missile Production in 4 Days. The Arsenal is Empty. Nobody Planned for This”, 1945, April 10, 2026.
- References for Epic Fury:
- Past SOF News posts on Epic Fury, Epic Fury Timeline, Iran Country Profile, Strait of Hormuz, Kharq Island, maps, ISW interactive map, OEFU Casualties, and CRS reports.
Intel, IO, Cyber, AI, IW, Technology
Strategic Influence and Lethality. The United States military’s conception of lethality has often been narrowly focused on kinetic destruction while neglecting strategic influence as a decisive instrument of war. Adversaries have waged and won influence campaigns at a fraction of the cost of conventional warfare, while the United States has continued to pay an astronomical bill for kinetics-first strategies with diminishing strategic returns. Bill Rivera argues that using a new analytical tool called the “Power and Ideology Lethality” (PIL) simulation platform can help practitioners plan, assess, and wargame influence competition as a core component of lethal strategy. “Information Lethality Revisited: Strategic Influence and the Future of War”, Small Wars Journal, April 8, 2026.
Conflict Center of Gravity – Ideology or Identity? Paul Cobaugh discusses how influence in modern conflict is less about information superiority and more about narrative precision. “The Elder’s Gambit and the Practice of Narrative Warfare”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, March 21, 2026.
Ukraine Conflict
Short-Term Outlook. The conflict shows no sign of near-term resolution, as Russia continues to absorb losses without achieving the operational breakthroughs required to compel meaningful concessions from Kyiv, while Ukraine retains the defensive coherence and asymmetric capabilities needed to prevent Moscow from dictating terms at the negotiating table. (Small Wars Journal, April 6, 2026)
Ukraine appears to be gaining relative advantage in tactical drone employment against Russian forces which is stalling Russian offensive attacks. Ukraine drone attacks against Russian air defense systems have also provided some battlefield relief to Ukraine. The Kremlin has declared a unilateral short-term, theater-wide ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter holiday on April 11 and 12. No long-range drone or missile strikes were conducted by Russian forces against Ukrainian targets on the night of April 11 to 12.
- References:
- Weapons of Ukraine, Study of War Daily Report, Euromaiden Press Daily Report, Ukraine NGO Coordination Network (UNCN).
- Maps: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats, Ukraine Maps by National Security Info, War in Ukraine by Scribble Maps.
Around the World
Supporting our Afghan Allies. Marine veteran Pete Lucier, who has long been part of the #AfghanEvac team, tells a story many of us lived through in 2021. It starts with the NEO chaos at Kabul airport. It moves through the promises we made to Afghan allies. And it asks this hard question: are we keeping those promises today? Pete was there in those early days, working alongside so many in the #AfghanEvac community to get Afghan allies to safety. His perspective is grounded in that experience and what he’s seen since. This isn’t abstract. These are families, interpreters, soldiers, and partners who trusted us. America’s credibility isn’t just about power. It’s about whether we stand by our word. Read Pete’s op-ed: “Markwayne Mullin supported Afghan allies. Now he can prove he meant it,” The Washington Post, April 6, 2026. (subscription)
U.S. Support to Nigeria. Approximately 200 military personnel have been deployed to Nigeria to provide intelligence and training support for counter-insurgency operations. Multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones are part of this support package. The training location is at Bauchi Airfield in northeast Nigeria and is reportedly part of the newly established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell. This new effort will help close the gap left by the departure of over 1,000 troops from Air Base 201 in Niger; a primary hub for regional drone surveillance. The Nigeria deployment also complements the work done by contractor-led surveillance flights by Tenax Aerospace. “US deploys MQ-9 drones and troops to Nigeria for intelligence support”, Military.Africa, April 5, 2026.
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