Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, intelligence, irregular warfare, national defense, and global conflicts.
Photo / Image: CV-22 from the 8th Special Operations Squadron flies over the Emerald Coast outside Hurlburt Field. (AFSOC photo).
Executive Summary
This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. Some stories in this update include a new PSYOP unit for Africa, an essay on SOF in 2040, testosterone treatments for SOF members, how technology is shaping the future of SOF in the Pacific, SOCKOR CoC, and updates on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
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Key Outlooks
- Many Army social media accounts to be eliminated
- SF and LSCO
- New CCWO at 1st SF Command
- Four U.S. service members KIA in Jordan / Iraq
- DoD revising KIA numbers downward
- U.S. CENTCOM has conducted almost 2 weeks of consecutive attacks
- Iran’s missiles now more sophisticated
- Testosterone program and SOF
SOF News
SF and LSCO. Over the past few years there has been significant debate over the role and future of U.S. Army Special Forces in a large-scale conventional conflict. Army Special Forces offer unique capabilities that complement and amplify the effectiveness of the conventional joint force. Some of these operations include deep area operations, deep strike, disruption of adversary systems, and more. Grounded in the SF expertise in unconventional warfare, SF extends the joint force’s operational reach and enable it to achieve its strategic objectives. “Into the Deep: Special Forces and the Future of Large-Scale Combat”, Modern War Institute at West Point, July 14, 2026.
New PSYOP Unit for Africa. The “Drongo” Company, 7th Psychological Operations Battalion, will be focused on Africa. The unit was officially activated by the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) on July 15, 2026. “Army stands up new PSYOP Company focused on Africa”, Task & Purpose, July 17, 2026.
SOF 2040 (Part 2). Dr. David Dorsey, David Maxell, Michael Ingerick, and Mick Crnkovich have penned an essay that describes the second SOF trinity; influence, governance, and support to indigenous forces and populations. The ability to assess local legitimacy, build trust across cultures, read political terrain, advise surrogate actors, and help partners contest narrative and governance space is a direct determinant of mission success in UW and support to political warfare. “Assessing Special Operations Forces (SOF) 2040 (Part 2): The Two Trinities and the Human-Domain Advantage”, Small Wars Journal, July 20, 2026.
109th MPAD Supporting SOCEUR. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment have passed the halfway point of their deployment in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe. Since arriving in theater, the unit has documented numerous training events, supported multinational exercises and worked alongside NATO Allies and partner nations. Over the course of the deployment, the MPAD covered a diverse array of missions including Exercises Deep Strike I and II, Exercise Trojan Footprint 26, the International Special Training Center Sniper Course, the Combined Arms Operations Digital Enablers Course and various airborne static-line and freefall jumps. “Halfway there: 109th MPAD marks midpoint of deployment”, DVIDS, July 16, 2026.
Testosterone Program and SOF. Some medical experts believe that the new DoD “High-T” military program recently revealed could be beneficial for the unique health conditions facing elite special operations forces. The plan is adding testosterone screening to annual physicals for service members over age 30 and it will offer optional testosterone replacement therapy when needed. “Hegseth’s testosterone program shows promise for special operations forces”, by Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, July 25, 2026.
Lockheed Martin Wins Big SOCOM Contract. The Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services II contract — designated SOF GLSS II — a 12-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award with a ceiling of $10.53 billion, is the largest service contract in U.S. Special Operations Command history. “Lockheed Martin Wins $10.5B Special Ops Contract, Largest SOF Service Deal Ever”, Tech Times, July 17, 2026.
New CCWO at 1st SF Command. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Damien Owens officially relinquished responsibility of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jerimiah Brown at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on July 17, 2026.
Vannevar Labs at SOF Week. At SOF Week’s solution stage, a Vannevar Labs presentation titled “Mission-Ready AI: Accelerating Decisions with Agent Control Plane and Mission Agents” built a notional Lebanon evacuation scenario to show how AI agents are being pitched to compress staff-level planning, targeting support, and pattern-of-life analysis into seconds rather than days. The presentation was a walk through of a notional special operations scenario from first order to after-action review. “Two Minutes Instead of Days: Inside a SOF Week Demo of AI ‘Warfighting Agents'”, Inside Unmanned Systems, July 17, 2026.
SOF and Indo-Pacific Operations. Bill Thetford and Don Baker write on how modern special operations forces and Indo-Pacific military operations are shaped by an accelerating cycle of technological change and globally sourced innovation. They argue that U.S. forces need to improve how to test, modify, and acquire technology to ensure they don’t fall behind. “Winning the adaptation race for SOF and Indo-Pacific operations“, Military Embedded Systems, July 24, 2026.
SOF RACER. The United States Special Operations Command’s SOF AT&L has officially launched the Special Operations Forces Rapid Acquisition Consortium for Emerging Requirements (SOF RACER). In partnership with GovSignals, this specialized partnership gives non-traditional commercial companies and defense contractors a fast track to deliver cutting-edge technology directly to USSOCOM. The mission of the consortium is to rapidly field cutting-edge, SOF-peculiar capabilities across every domain, from seabed to space.
Gen. Votel Now with Darley. General (Ret.) Joseph Votel has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment. Votel is the former commander of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the Joint Special Operations Command. “Darley Welcomes General Joseph Votel to Board of Directors”, Soldier Systems, July 25, 2026.
SOCKOR CoC Ceremony. Special Operations Command Korea held a change of command ceremony at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea on July 22, 2026. During the ceremony, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Derek N. Lipson relinquished command of SOCKOR to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew A. Valas.
SOF Medic Training and AI. As military medical personnel prepare to face complex battlefields where wounded troops may wait hours or even days for evacuation, the Army school tasked with readying special operations medics for future fights is turning to AI to pack in more lessons into their training. (Business Insider, July 24, 2026)
Air Commandos want “SOF-peculiar” Drones. USSOCOM is looking for vendors of small one-way-attack drones that can be launched from aircraft and use automatic target recognition capabilities. The command is seeking air-launched kamikaze drones with a minimum range of 75 nautical miles from launch point to loitering point; 50-100 knots cruise and loitering speed; and a minimum “dash speed” of 100-plus knots “on attack profile.” “Air commandos seek ‘SOF-peculiar’ attack drones with automatic target recognition capabilities”, Defensescoop, July 17, 2026.
International SOF
3rd SFG(A) Trains with Gabon Paratroopers. Members of the 1st Régiment de Parachutiste Gabonais and Gabonese Republican Guard trained with members of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Gabon in June 2026. JCETs bolster regional security and improve threat response by building shared readiness and fostering collaborative relationships. Training events included combat skills, drone operations, patrols, and close quarters battle drills.
Ukrainian SOF. Over the past few years the special operations forces of Ukraine have undergone a lot of change. The advent of drone warfare has a lot to do with the changes Ukrainian SOF have undergone. Read more in “The war in Ukraine has dramatically changed special forces operations”, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, by David Kirichenko, July 24, 2026.
New UK SOF Chinooks. New H-47 Extended Range Chinooks will be used by the United Kingdom’s special forces in 2027 once delivered. There are 14 on order with the possibility of more coming in the future. (The Aviationist, July 22, 2026)
SOF History
Special Forces History. A relatively new website has been documenting the history of the various active and reserve component SF groups and detachments over the years. The site is definitely worth a look! https://www.onshouldersofgiants.org/
Established in July 1943, the 7th Amphibious Scouts trained in jungle survival, unarmed combat, reconnaissance, and shoreline sketching.
On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the Korean War. About 37,000 Americans lost their lives, 92,000 were wounded, and 8,000 missing. DoD News.
On July 30, 1994, elements of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 325th Airborne Infantry (82nd) land at the Rwandan capital of Kigali to secure the airport for an international aid effort as days of tribal conflict ensued.
National Security and Commentary
Many Army Social Media Accounts Eliminated. In accordance with Army Directive 2026-17: Optimizing Army Digital Media, many social media accounts will sunset no later than August 7, 2026. Twitter (X), Facebook, and other social media accounts used by Army organizations like Army University Press, NCO Journal, 7th SFG(A) Facebook, USJFKSWCS, and many others will no longer be available to provide access to articles and publications of interest to members of the U.S. Army and the military at large.
Recommendations to Improve Procurement for Fielding New Technology. Modern battlefields demand defenses that evolve to counter rapidly changing enemy technology. Unfortunately, the procurement cycle for launching and fielding new technology takes place on a timeline that does not favor the warfighter. Read up on how to improve the procurement process. “Creating Agile Support for Military: Procurement Innovations Needed”, Special Operations Association of America, July 16, 2026.
CRS Report – Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), Congressional Research Service, CRS IF13022, July 20, 2026. The report provides an overview of the U.S. Army’s IVAS program. It explains how the system integrates night vision, thermal imaging, navigation, targeting, and augmented reality into a single wearable headset to improve soldier awareness and combat effectiveness. The report also examines the program’s development history, testing challenges, funding, and recent design changes. It highlights key issues for Congress, including program costs, acquisition decisions, soldier feedback, and the future role of IVAS in modernizing the Army’s battlefield capabilities.
https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF13022/IF13022.4.pdf
Iran War and Operation Epic Fury
Frustrations are rising within the Trump administration as it deals with a war that has lasted longer than it anticipated with little strategic success. The stalled negotiations and willingness of Iran to sustain significant punishment on its military has provided the administration with some unanticipated challenges. The U.S. has learned that there are limits to its unrivaled military power and that the degradation of Iran’s military does not mean that it can be forced to make concessions at the negotiating table.
Over the past few weeks hostilities between Iran and the U.S. have resumed at a high level. Over the past two weeks CENTCOM has struck military targets in Iran every day for 13 consecutive days. Iran has been targeting U.S. installations in Gulf region nations and Jordan. In addition, it is hitting Kurdish targets in northern Iraq and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has already rejected three previous U.S.-backed ceasefire proposals this past week, delivered through Qatar, Iraq, and Pakistan. The latest proposal sent by the U.S. will likely be rejected as well. At the same time, President Trump is declaring that preparations are underway for a massive strike against Iran. Various social media accounts monitoring U.S. military movements report that there is a lot of activity in the air moving across the Atlantic and from Europe into the Middle East.
Below are a selection of news articles that are providing on details on Operation Epic Fury over the past few weeks in addition to some commentary.
Four U.S. KIA in Past Week. Three service members were killed during an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. installation on a Jordanian airbase. One service member died in Iraq when an Iranian missile was detonated. These latest casualties were added to the DoD’s list of casualties from the Iran War – bringing the total KIA to 18. Last week the Pentagon subtracted 4 from the 18, listing only 14 KIA from the Iran War. See “DoD Removes Latest KIA from Official List of Casualties”, SOF News, July 23, 2026.
“Renewed Iran Attacks and Sustainability of Continued Operations”, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), July 17, 2026. A recap of the past week to include the latest strikes by both countries, the demise of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the use of unmanned systems, and the prospects for the U.S. to sustain operations into the future.
“Trump targets Iran’s infrastructure in bid to squeeze regime”, The Hill, July 18, 2026. The U.S. military is widening its attacks across Iran, striking a port facility, energy infrastructure and bridges as President Trump looks to squeeze the Iranian regime. The Gulf states are bearing the brunt of Iran’s retaliation strikes, as Iran is hitting civilian infrastructure (like a desalination plant in Kuwait) as well as military targets.
“A Return to All-Out War in Iran?”, Intelbrief, The Soufan Center, July 17, 2026. As the U.S. scrambles to identify a pathway towards a victory, both in political and military terms, Iran does not show many signs of backing down on its posture over its control of the Strait of Hormuz, its proxies, its style of governance, nor its adversarial position against the U.S. and Israel. This spells out an uncertain trajectory for the region in the months to come.
20% Fee to U.S. for Transiting SoH? Not so Much. Several days ago President Trump declared the U.S. as “Guardian of the Strait” and that a 20% cargo fee would be charged on each commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. That fee idea died a quick death. Trump’s proposal to levy disproportionate fees on shipping through the SoH made it appear that the U.S. was seeking to make money out of an international emergency. In addition, it ran counter to the idea that a nation should not charge fees for transiting what has historically been an international waterway. “Trump’s threats – and U-turn – on Hormuz fees further undermine US credibility in the Gulf”, Chatham House, July 14, 2026.
Iran’s Missiles More Sophisticated. Iran has adapted to U.S. defenses over time. Their missiles can travel at extremely high speeds and can maneuver as they head toward the target – causing difficulties in interception. Iran may be receiving help from China or Russia in missile technology and guidance.
- 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.
Ukraine Conflict
What Comes Next for Ukraine? The four year battle for Ukraine has seen rapid change in warfare. One of the most important changes was the use of unmanned systems. The air, sea, and ground drones have put the Russians on their back foot. The Ukrainians are now turning their focus to psychological operations aimed at undercutting Russian support for the war. “The Next Phase in Ukraine’s War with Russia: The Battle for the Minds”, The New York Times, July 14, 2026. (subscription)
Fuel Shortages in Russia. Sustained strikes by Ukraine on Russia’s energy infrastructure has turned the war for the Russian civilian population from a ‘special military operation’ taking place thousands of miles away to a daily economic burden. The shortage of fuel is forcing the Kremlin to choose between export revenues and domestic stability. The economic cost of the war is making it increasingly difficult for Moscow to keep the conflict insulated from everyday life. Fuel rationing is spreading across multiple regions in Russia due to Ukraine’s refinery strike campaign. This article by Petras Katinas and Natia Seskuria is entitled “Putin’s Fuel Dilemma”, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), July 17, 2026.
Crimea Under Fire. Ukrainian drones and rockets have punished underprotected Russian assets on Crimea. Ukraine continues to pound critical infrastructure and has prompted Russia to move airplanes and ships further from the battlefield. Russia has failed to protect the majority of its aircraft with shelters and hardened hangars. The U.S. should take notice and begin efforts to protect its own aircraft and naval vessels. “Ukraine is teaching Russia a lesson. The U.S. should take notes”, by Brady Africk, The Washington Post, July 20, 2026. (subscription)
Video – Ukrainian SOF Selection. “Beyond the Human Limit: Joining Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Selection”, United 24 YouTube, July 17, 2026, 21 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4XXGPq14vw
- 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.
Strategic Competition
China’s View of U.S. IW. Ronald Howard, a retired Special Forces general, provides his perspective on China’s use of irregular warfare. He states that China has no intention of fighting a conventional war – it is already engaged in a highly sophisticated multi-front assault on the United States. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has successfully engineered a whole-of-society warfare model that completely bypasses America’s kinetic strength. Howard identifies twelve ways China is conducting its offensive. He advocates that the U.S. must shift from a defensive, reactive posture to a proactive, cost-imposing strategy. “China Laughs at the US Approach to Irregular Warfare!”, Small Wars Journal, July 17, 2026.
CRS Report – China Primer: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Congressional Research Service, CRS IF11719, PDF, 3 pages, updated July 22, 2026. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11719
Report – Europe’s Strategic Trip: Why Russia’s Sub-Threshold Coercion is Succeeding and How to Stop It. The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, June 30, 2026, PDF, 42 pages. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European states have faced a sustained campaign of assassinations, sabotage, drone incursions, and other attacks designed to remain below the threshold of major war. This new HCSS report argues that these actions are not random incidents or examples of vaguely defined “hybrid warfare”. Rather, they form a deliberate coercive strategy aimed at reducing European military and financial support for Ukraine.
Taiwan and Defeating China’s Political Warfare. Taiwan is intensifying efforts to resist attempts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to subvert its political system with the ultimate goal of annexation. It has tackled the problem from three main angles with aggressive prosecution of espionage crimes, a crackdown on subversive Chinese influencers, and tighter travel restrictions on politically sensitive Taiwanese to the PRC. “Taiwan Intensifies Resistance to PRC Political Warfare”, by Matthew Fulco, Jamestown Foundation, July 16, 2026.
China and the Arctic. Chinese ambitions in the Arctic are well known and it considers itself an “Arctic nation”. It looks to the northern maritime passages as a way to shorten shipping routes and the Arctic region as a source for natural resources. Every year it sends research vessels into the Arctic region and this year is no exception. The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring these activities. “Coast Guard Secures the U.S. Arctic as Chinese Research Vessels Arrive in the Bering Sea”, United States Coast Guard News, July 17, 2026.
Veterans Corner
Army Cuts Legal Assistance for Those Facing Medical Discharge. The Office of Soldier’s Counsel, an office that provides lawyers trained to help servicemembers when they are referred to the Disability Evaluation System during a Medical Evaluation Board, has faced dramatic cuts in its staff levels. Soldiers who face medical separation are no longer guaranteed lawyers who can help them with their case. Instead, they will have to represent themselves or pay for civilian lawyers out of pocket. Not having legal assistance means the soldiers may not get the medical coverage and benefits they need once medically retired. “The Army is cutting back legal help for soldiers fighting medical discharge”, by Patty Nieberg, Task & Purpose, July 13, 2026.
TBI Cases Surge. A new report indicates that there is a marked increase in the number of traumatic brain injuries among veterans. The last four years has seen a significant increase among former servicemembers enrolled in the VA system who have had TBI cases on record. At the same time, Congress has appropriated 77 percent less for DoD medical research into TBI and psychological health between fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2026. “Surge in veterans’ brain injuries shown in VA records”, Rollcall, July 20, 2026.
CRS Report – Veterans Law: Unaccredited Representatives. There are some for-profit entities charging fees for assisting veterans and others seeking VA benefits that do not have VA accreditation. Federal law regulates who can assist or represent VA claimants applying for benefits and the fees that representatives can charge. This legal sidebar by the Congressional Research Service provides more detailed information. CRS LSB11455, July 13, 2026, PDF, 6 pages.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11455
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Video – History of the Early Special Forces, by Matt Dorne, featured on The Reconnaissance Cast, YouTube, July 14, 2026, one hour. https://www.youtube.com/live/dD_oY1ft8rY
Video – A retired Special Forces NCO that served as an 18C, HALO, and diver talks about his service, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and his company Riding Hood Solutions, LLC. View on the “Rico Podcast”, YouTube, July 14, 2026, 3 hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhopPtKdMPE
Movie Trailer – Anthropoid. Operation Anthropoid was conceived during WWII to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich, the main architect behind the Final Solution and the Reich’s third in command. For those interested in World War II resistance movements, this movie should be informative and interesting. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4190530/
Afghan Evac Update. Shawn VanDiver, of #AfghanEvac, talks about the situation for Afghans at Camp As Sayliya, the V-PRIC (a new tool for those involved in Afghan resettlement), the death of an Afghan special operations soldier in ICE custody, and the upcoming five year of anniversary the Kabul Neo of August 2021. Video on The Afghanistan Project Podcast, July 6, 2026, one hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fsb4ROCyxg
Video – 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) | 250 Years of Freedom. A short video about 7th SFG(A) and U.S. history. DVIDS, 1 minute, July 1, 2026.
Video – SW Announces Testosterone Screening Program. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announces the Testosterone Screening Program at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., July 15, 2026. (DoW video by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Proper). DVIDS, July 15, 2026, 3 minutes.
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