Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, intelligence, irregular warfare, national defense, and global conflicts.
Photo / Image: A U.S. Army Green Beret assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) fires an anti-armor rocket launcher during a live-fire training exercise as part of Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Michigan, August 4, 2026 (U.S. Army photo by SGT Cody Williams)
Executive Summary
This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. USASOC has a new CCWO. The role of Special Forces in information operations is key to strategic competition. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey sign a defense pact. SOF is stepping up in the Philippines.
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Key Developments
- 45 MQ-9 Reapers lost in Iran War
- Russia frees former U.S. Marine
- Trump expresses discontent with Oman
- U.S. SOF and Polar Dagger 2026
SOF News
USASOC Has a New CCWO. On August 6, 2026, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Damian Owens assumed responsibility as the United States Army Special Operations Command CCWO from Chief Warrant Officer 5 Stephen Finney. As the new Command Chief Warrant Officer, Owens will represent and advocate for nearly 1,400 warrant officers serving throughout the command. CW5 Finney served for more than 35 years in uniform with decades of service with the Army Special Operations community.
The Journey of a Night Stalker. Jack Barry, now president of the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), was a Black Hawk pilot who decided he wanted to go through SF selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and become a Green Beret. He attended SFAS but before heading to the Q course was offered the opportunity to train for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Read his story in “The Night Stalker who Almost Became a Green Beret: Jack Barry”, SOAA, August 11, 2026.
SOF is Stepping Up in the Philippines. American special operations forces are ready to step up warfighting-readiness exercises with counterparts in the Philippines and other countries in Asia to further strengthen a security alliance and help deter a major conflict in the region. “US special forces ready to step up combat drills in Philippines and help deter aggression in Asia”, Associated Press, August 14, 2026.
U.S. SOF and Polar Dagger 2026. U.S. special operations forces have deployed across western Alaska just a few kilometers (a few miles) from Russian territory for Operation POLAR DAGGER 2026, with personnel operating from Little Diomede Island, St. Lawrence Island, Wales, Tin City, Nome, and Point Hope between August 15 and 31. The deployment places U.S. teams along the Bering Strait and western Arctic approaches, testing how quickly they can establish and sustain a forward presence in terrain critical to defending the North American homeland. “U.S. Special Operations Forces Deploy Near Russia in Western Alaska for Polar Dagger 2026”, Army Recognition, August 17, 2026.
SOF’s Value for the Joint Force. MAJ Bobby Kava, a U.S. Army Psychological Operations officer, details how ARSOF elements can deliver both guns and butter, creating value between the United States and other countries. This can help in the effort to form new alliances and forge lasting relationships. “Guns AND Butter”, Special Warfare Journal, July 23, 2026.
SF Role in Info Ops. This article examines the strategic and tactical role of Special Forces (SF) within the framework of Information Operations (IO). It analyzes how these highly trained units not only execute specialized operations but also shape the adversary’s information environment. Through covert actions, intelligence activities, and narrative management, the SF help shape the adversary’s perceptions and enhance the operational advantage. The analysis highlights the importance of integrating IO with military and political objectives, in accordance with ethical and legal principles. In contemporary scenarios, where information constitutes a decisive strategic resource, SF are establishing themselves as key actors in shaping the strategic environment and protecting national capabilities. “Special Forces and Their Role in Information Operations”, by Augusto Alvarez Torres, Center for Strategic Studies of the Peruvian Army (CEEEP).
The Science of Operator Syndrome. Human performance optimization, or HPO, is intended to improve health and readiness force-wide. Operator Syndrome, meanwhile, is a clinical construct that describes the cumulative health effects experienced by special operations personnel. “Operationalizing Operator Syndrome: What the Pentagon advisory council needs to get right”, Military Times, August 14, 2026.
VICTOR – An AI Platform for the Army. The U.S. Army Combined Arms Command is developing VICTOR, a secure, mobile-first AI platform that connects doctrine, lessons learned, and soldier expertise. By replacing fragmented searches with synthesized, relevant answers, VICTOR aims to accelerate learning, improve readiness, and support faster battlefield decisions across the force. “US Army Combined Arms Command Advances AI-Powered Knowledge Platform, VICTOR”, Soldier Systems, August 16, 2026.
SFODA Survival in an Austere Environment. A Special Forces operational detachment could very well find itself deployed deep behind enemy lines where it cannot rely on resupply by road or air. While water may be plentiful, food is an entirely different problem set. Do ODAs currently train themselves in food procurement in an austere environment where resupply is problematic? CW2 Yuwei Lee, a Special Forces warrant officer, explores this question in “SOF Sustainment for Denied Area Operations in LSCO”, Special Warfare Journal, July 2, 2026.
SOF History
On this day, August 16, 2002, the first National Airborne Day took place. In 2002, the U.S. Senate designated August 16 as National Airborne Day, and President George W. Bush issued a proclamation recognizing the observance. Since the 2000s, the Senate has passed Resolutions honoring the nation’s airborne forces and marking the anniversary of the first official Army parachute jump at Fort Benning, Georgia.
On August 17-18, 1942, the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion conducted a raid on Makin Island in the central Pacific Ocean. They inserted by submarine, destroyed the Japanese installation and radio station, and then withdrew from the island. The Raiders suffered 18 men killed and 12 listed as missing; nine of the missing Marines were later determined to have been captured and executed. The operation was a morale boost for the U.S. military and American public. https://sof.news/history/raid-on-makin-island/
On August 17, 1955, the Civil Affairs / Military Government was established as an Army Reserve Branch. It was subsequently redesignated as the Civil Affairs Branch on October 2, 1959. The expansion of Civil Affairs in the Regular Army led to Civil Affairs being established as a basic branch of the Army effective October 16, 2006, by Department of the Army General Orders (AGO) No. 29, 12 January 2007.
August 22, 1955, marks the anniversary of the Department of the Army approving the Special Forces (SF) Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI). The SSI, or ‘unit patch,’ with the arrowhead shape and three lightning flashes, was designed by Captain John W. Frye, 77th SF Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The arrowhead shape honored Native Americans and was similar to the SSI worn by the WWII Canadian-American First Special Service Force, the lineage unit of SF. The SSI’s dagger represents the unconventional nature of SF operations, and the three lightning flashes, the ability to strike by air, water or land. In November 1958, the airborne tab was added to the SSI. The SF SSI remains a highly recognizable symbol of SF history and lineage. For more information on the history of SF insignia visit: http://spr.ly/6184GmmCM
National Security and Commentary
CRS Report – Defense Primer: U.S. Space Force. The Congressional Research Service updated CRS IF12610 on August 8, 2026. The report covers why the Space Force was created, its mission, functions, budget, organization, and acquisition programs. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12610
South Korea Exercises Reduced. President Trump has announced that U.S. participation in South Korean military exercises will decrease in the immediate future. Trump is citing his excellent relationship with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as one reason for the change and the lack of South Korean support for the U.S. war on Iran. South Korea was the second-largest foreign troop contributor to the Vietnam War, trailing only the United States. About 300,000 South Korean troops served in Vietnam; they suffered over 5,000 killed and nearly 11,000 wounded. South Korea was also with us in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mexican Cartels Expansion. Mexican drug trafficking organizations have infiltrated criminal networks worldwide to spread their destabilizing influence far beyond their continental borders. The Trump administration has hit back against cartels that ship deadly drugs into the U.S. through sanctions and terror designations, in addition to continuing previous administrations’ policies of assisting Mexico with intelligence and strategic planning, and sending special operations forces (SOF) units to advise their Mexican counterparts. “Mexican Cartels Expand Beyond Regional Boundaries – So Should Deterrence”, SOAA, August 18, 2026.
Podcast: Critical Minerals – Rebuilding. The United States has hollowed out its critical minerals base. This podcast discusses the processing technology, labor force, and how government can catalyze private capital investment in the sector rather than replace it. Cogs of War, War on the Rocks, 31 minutes. https://warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/rebuilding-americas-critical-minerals-base/
Iran War and Operation Epic Fury
The six-month-long conflict has turned into a battle of wills with neither side appearing to yield. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed down significantly.
45 MQ-9 Reapers Lost. The U.S. has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran, or roughly 25 percent of its fleet, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The high-demand drones cost between $30 million and $50 million apiece. “U.S. military has lost roughly 25% of its Reaper drones as Iran war depletes arsenal”, The Washington Post, August 13, 2026.
Strait Status According to Trump. On August 18, 2026, President Trump posted on Truth Social that there are no negotiations ongoing between the United States and Iran, the naval blockade remains in effect, all water mines have been removed or detonated, and the Hormuz Strait is open and operating.
Traffic in the Strait. Before Operation Epic Fury began in late February 2026, vessels transiting the strait carried approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day. During July and August, an average of 4.5 million barrels per day transited the strait, according to independent maritime-intelligence data.
Trump Expresses Discontent with Oman. The Middle East country has been considered to be an ally of the United States. However, the relationship may turn sour. Oman is a key ally in the Persian Gulf, assisting in the resupply of military forces and naval vessels in the region. It is also a mediator in attempts to resolve the war between the United States and Iran. The U.S. Navy has used Duqm Port on Oman’s southern coast for deep-water harbor capabilities, ship maintenance, and roll-on/roll-off logistics staging by the Military Sealift Command. In addition, U.S. aircraft is a key tenant/user at the Royal Air Force of Oman Thumrait Air Base. Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury Oman has been struck by ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting infrastructure, shipping, as well as U.S. installations in Oman. However, President Trump seems displeased with this key ally. During an interview with Fox News, President Trump threatened to bomb Oman:
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s—- out of them.”
Economic Pressure on Iran. Will it Work? The Trump administration is scaling back combat operations and turning to economic pressure to resolve the U.S.-Iran war on favorable terms. Thus far, it has been unsuccessful. But the administration is betting that economic pressure can reopen the Strait of Hormuz (which was open before the war started) and perhaps resolve some of the issues over which the U.S. went to war with Iran over with in the first place. Financial pressure and a naval blockade might be a key to some sort of ‘victory’ for the U.S.; but so far, Iran has been defiant in its stance of not acceding to any U.S. demands. “US vows to squeeze Iran’s economy to its limits”, by Kyle Fitzgerald, The National News, August 14, 2026.
Strait is a U.S. Territory? On several occasions in August 2026 President Trump has indicated that the Strait of Hormuz is or should be a territory of the United States. On August 18, 2026, he published a graphic map on Truth Social explicitly circling and labeling the Strait of Hormuz as a new U.S. territory. “Trump posts map labeling Strait of Hormuz as US territory”, The Hill, August 18, 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.
Ukraine Conflict
Commentary: Intelligence on the Ukraine Battlefield. The Russians have adopted measures that limit their exposure on the front line to brief periods of time in an effort to negate the intelligence that Ukrainian intelligence drones provide. The Ukrainians are refining their intelligence processes to reduce the sensor-to-shooter time to compensate for this. In this way, Ukraine is fusing collection, analysis, and execution faster than the enemy can react. “From Collection to Decision: Reimagining Tactical Intelligence”, by George Gurrola and Martayn Van de Wall, Modern War Institute, July 29, 2026.
Innovation by Ukraine. Ukraine’s experience shows that innovation is not concentrated in procurement offices. It is distributed throughout the force and across civilian-military networks, generating solutions across combat, medical, recovery, and employment domains alike. This is not primarily a story of institutions suppressing that innovation; it is a story of institutions unable to see it, because the informality and speed that make edge innovation effective are the same traits that keep it invisible. “The Invisible Force Multiplier: Distributed Innovation Beyond the Battlefield in Ukraine”, by Renata Mustafina and Erin McFee, Small Wars Journal, August 18, 2026.
- 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.
Intel, IO, Cyber, AI, IW, Technology
IW and the “War of Position”. Information warfare is the principal mechanism through which many irregular warfare campaigns pursue political objectives. These efforts operate over long periods of time and they shape the information environment in which future political, economic, and security decisions are made. Success in irregular warfare depends not only on responding to influence operations, but on recognizing the broader campaign of which they are a part. “War of Position and Irregular Warfare”, Irregular Warfare Center, August 12, 2026.
Strategic Competition
CRS Report – Russian Hybrid Warfare Activities in Europe. The Congressional Research Service has published CRS R49134, August 11, 2026, PDF, 22 pages. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R49134
Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Baltic Sea. Russia is using its shadow fleet as civilian paramilitary vessels to conduct disruptive operations and support conventional naval power. The fleet is being used to conduct covert maritime operations such as sabotage and intelligence collection. Dan White, author of the OPFOR Journal, provides more details in “Russia’s Baltic Maritime Insurgency”, Small Wars Journal, August 13, 2026.
Russia in West Africa. As Russia’s strategy for influence in the Sahel collapses, Moscow is pivoting to employ the same tactics of fomenting dissent toward democracy and advancing the case for military rule in coastal West African democracies. “Russia’s New Frontier in Africa”, by Joseph Siegle, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, July 8, 2026.
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
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey Sign a Defense Pact. The Saudis bring money to the table, Pakistan and Turkey have strong militaries, and Turkish arms production adds to the pact. The pact was signed on August 7 and treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three.
Afghanistan Withdrawal. A slew of horrible decisions and intelligence failures saw the Taliban regain power on August 15, 2021, five years ago. As Afghanistan descended into terrible chaos, ordinary Americans rose to the challenge. Volunteers formed Signal groups that helped AMCITs, lawful permanent residents, and SIV applicants maneuver to evacuation points around Hamid Karzai International Airport. “Remembering the Afghanistan withdrawal isn’t enough, we must fight for our allies”, by Beth Bailey, Washington Examiner, August 17, 2026. (subscription)
Lessons from the 9/11 Wars? Jonathan Schroden believes that the United States has not adequately learned and internalized the lessons of the post-9/11 wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He believes that until we address the endemic pathologies in American strategic culture, our success in future wars may remain elusive. “What Have We Learned from the 9/11 Wars? Not Nearly Enough”, War on the Rocks, August 17, 2026.
Sudan Conflict and Armed Actors. The SAF and the RSF operate as shifting coalitions of armed groups rather than unified organizational structures, impacting not only the course of the war but also the challenges for post-conflict stability. This article maps out and provides a detailed look at the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. “Mapping the Armed Actors in the Sudan Conflict”, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, July 7, 2026.
Veterans Corner
Russia Frees U.S. Marine. Robert Gilman was released by Russia on August 11, 2026, after being detained for more than four years. His release came after suffering a series of health problems. He was granted a pardon on humanitarian grounds. Gilman was arrested and detained in January 2022 after being accused of kicking a police officer. No prisoner exchange occurred.
VA Trials GLP-1. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on July 30 a new clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat diabetes, as a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Currently, more than 400,000 Veterans nationwide are diagnosed with AUD, and some estimates say AUD affects nearly 11% of U.S. adults. “VA launches trial of GLP-1 treatment for alcohol use disorder”, VA News, July 30, 2026.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Military Review. The July-August 2026 issue is now online.
Infantry. The Summer 2026 edition is now online.
Afghanistan – Afghan Female Tactical Platoon, Five Years Post-Withdrawal, The Afghanistan Project Podcast, hosted by Beth Bailey, August 17, 2026, YouTube, one hour. This video is about the ongoing effort to find permanency for members of the Female Tactical Platoon (FTP), Afghan women who served with their male Afghan National Army Special Operations Command counterparts on vital SOF missions. Guests are advocate and combat veteran Michael Scadden, NXT Mission founder and Cultural Support Team veteran Rebekah Edmondson, and FTP member Farida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL5ktWX-xFk
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Upcoming Events
August 18, 2026
Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium
Global SOF Foundation
Honolulu, HI
August 21, 2026
12th Annual Shootin’ for the Stars
Navy SEAL Foundation
Gardnerville, NV
August 26, 2026
Production: 11 Days
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Carteret, NJ
August 29, 2026
10th Annual Emerald Coast Gala
SOF Missions
Fort Walton Beach, FL
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