Baghdadi May be Dead, but the So-Called Islamic State Will Live On
Bottom Line Up Front On October 26, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a raid by U.S. forces in northern Syria near the Turkish […] More
Special Operations Forces
Special Operations DEPTEMPO and the National Security Risk
Most of my adult life was spent as a soldier in special operations. One of the most persistent issues throughout my career was finding the […] More
For Those Who Gave All: Special Operations Warrior Foundation
This Christmas season was unlike any previous holiday for many military families. U.S. Special Operations Command lost 47 troops in the line of duty, out […] More
Best Of: How U.S., South Korean Special Ops Would Fight in a New Korean War
The situation between the US and North Korea remains tenuous and characterized by uncertainty. North Korea’s cancellation of the upcoming summit with South Korea over […] More
The Latest
U.S. Special Operations Forces’ Changing Mission in the Middle East
Despite former President Barack Obama’s efforts to cut U.S. military commitments in the Middle East, events quickly drew his Administration back into the region. Civil […] More
Don’t Overcommit U.S. Special Operations Forces
U.S. special operations forces are widely considered to be some of the most highly trained and effective military units in the world and, as a […] More
SOF’s Evolving Role: Warfare “By, With, and Through” Local Forces
The role of U.S. special operations forces (SOF) in the Middle East has expanded steadily since the inception of the counter-ISIS campaign in 2014. In […] More
SOF a Priority in China
Several Chinese government entities perform activities that fall under the rubric of special operations. China’s primary anti-terrorist forces are elements of the civilian Ministry of […] More
Russian Spetsnaz: Learning from Experience
As part of military reforms begun in 2008, Russia has overhauled its special purpose forces, or Spetsnaz to expand its capabilities and professionalization. It also […] More
Developing Special Operations Forces in China and Russia
When Syrian government forces retook the ancient city of Palmyra from ISIS for the second time in early March, they had the assistance of one […] More
U.S. Special Operations Forces at 9-11, Today, and for the Future
Following the tragic attack on 9-11, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the CIA, supported by airpower, conducted a punitive expedition that resulted in the […] More
Memorial Dogs
Memorial Day brings a set of complex emotions. I think about the thousands of Americans who gave their lives so that we could live free. […] More