Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.
Photo / Image: Members of the U.S. Special Operations Mountain Warfare Training Center (SOMWTC) and Danish Special Operation Forces (DANSOF) trek up the mountains of Mestersvig, Greenland, March 6, 2024. The SOMWTC and DANSOF exchanged Arctic best practices during Arctic Edge 24 (AE24). AE24 provided Special Operations Command North and U.S. Special Operations Forces the opportunity to integrate with SOF from Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, as well as interagency and total force partners to enhance integrated deterrence, layered defense, and resilience across the Arctic. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Estrada)
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SOF News
SOF and “Administrative Terrain”. Erika Lafrennie explains how special operations forces are the connective tissue between the convergence across domains and convergence across systems of governance. She argues that “administrative terrain” is a legitimate domain of military competition where SOF has a crucial role. In her article, “The Terrain Before the Terrain: Why Special Operations Forces Must Master Administrative Battlespace”, published in Small Wars Journal on January 27, 2026, she emphasizes the need for advanced strategies in our rapidly evolving operational landscape.
Parachute Tree Landings and the U.S. Army. Established recovery procedures for parachute jumpers in trees are not optimized, leading to unnecessary injuries and financial burdens. An NCO at USAJKFSWCS has proposed improved processes that could mitigate these issues. You can find the detailed analysis in “Parachute and Jumper Recovery”, Special Warfare Journal, January 30, 2026.
NATO SOF Command and McRaven. William H. McRaven, former USSOCOM commander, highlights the valuable contributions allied special operations forces provided during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His insights are covered in “Never Fight Alone”, published in The Atlantic on January 27, 2026, where he reflects on the lessons learned from these international collaborations.
Hong Kong’s SDU. The Special Duties Unit (SDU) of the Hong Kong Police Force is specialized in dealing with the most perilous threats in the region. Established in 1974, it has undergone rigorous training alongside elite units like the British SAS and U.S. Navy SEALs. For more on this specialized unit, check out “The Special Duties Unit (SDU): The Flying Tigers of Hong Kong” by Milo R., published in Grey Dynamics on January 31, 2026.
SOF History
SAS Legends. The United Kingdom’s Special Air Service (SAS) stands as a leading figure in elite counterterrorism operations, specializing in a variety of covert missions. A recent article explores the legacies of five notable members of this prestigious unit. Discover their stories in “5 of the Most Legendary Soldiers of the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service”, featured in We are the Mighty on January 27, 2026.
The Lang Vei Special Forces camp near the Laotian border faced a tragic fate on February 6, 1968, when it was captured by North Vietnamese forces. The details of this significant event can be explored in depth here.
In more recent news, on February 2, 2023, the 193rd Special Operations Wing transitioned to operate the new MC-130J Commando II. This marked a significant upgrade in their capabilities and mission scope. For more information, visit this link.
National Security and Commentary
1st SFAB now ASCG-S. The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade has officially transitioned to the Army Security Cooperation Group – South, following its activation in 2017 aimed at aiding Afghan security forces. As it shifts focus to Southern Command operations, details of the transformation can be found in this article.
“Scramble for the Arctic”. Sergio Miller offers a critical perspective on the strategic importance of Greenland, suggesting that concerns about Russian and Chinese military presence may be exaggerated. His comprehensive analysis is presented in “Exaggeration and Ignorance: The Scramble for the Arctic”, published in Small Wars Journal on January 29, 2026.
ICE Tools of the Trade. An insightful article details the technological tools currently employed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in apprehending illegal immigrants. Interestingly, some of these tools have been in active use within the Special Operations Forces community for years. Discover the scope of these instruments in “The Powerful Tools in ICE’s Arsenal to Track Suspects – and Protesters”, published in January 2026 by The Washington Post.
Intel, IO, Cyber, AI, IW
The New Propaganda Battlefield. The landscape of influence operations is shifting towards emotional appeal rather than ideological emphasis. Research focusing on platforms like TikTok shows the role of emotional conditioning in early-stage influence efforts. Explore more in “TikTok, Algorithmic Emotion, and the New Propaganda Battlefield” by Michael Morgan, published in War on the Rocks on January 27, 2026.
The Navy and IW. Two Naval intelligence officers contributed an intriguing essay discussing the U.S. Navy’s Information Warfare capabilities, emphasizing their pivotal role in adapting to modern maritime challenges. The complete analysis is available from the Center for International Maritime Security, released on January 29, 2026.
Air Force and AI. The U.S. Air Force is innovating its operational planning with advanced war gaming powered by artificial intelligence through its new cloud-based system, WarMatrix. Read more about these developments in “Air Force Leveraging AI for Advanced Wargaming” by National Defense Magazine on January 28, 2026.
Cyber Ops and Maduro Capture. During the operation to apprehend Venezuelan President Maduro, a non-kinetic effects cell played a crucial role by targeting critical infrastructure like radar, internet, and the power grid, causing temporary disruptions. More details can be found in “US Military Used New ‘Non-Kinetic’ Cell to Guide Cyber Ops During Maduro Capture”, published by Defense One on January 28, 2026.
Cognitive Warfare. Colonel John Wilcox discusses the inadequacies of current targeting logic in the context of a fast-changing information environment. His reflections are available in “Cognitive Warfare Without a Map”, published in Small Wars Journal on January 28, 2026.
Ukraine Conflict
Peace Talk Success Unlikely. In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War, control over towns and villages is pivotal for Putin, who sees territory as a key asset rather than a bargaining chip in negotiations. For a more in-depth analysis, refer to Andrey Pertsev’s article “Ukrainian Villages Are a Bigger Prize for Putin Than a Deal with Trump” published by Carnegie Politika on January 26, 2026.
A War of Attrition. Russia’s strategy aims to wear down Ukraine through sustained military engagements, indicated by high casualty rates and extensive resource depletion. As evaluated by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this ongoing scenario is explored in their analysis, “Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine”, published on January 27, 2026.
And Around the World
NATO and SFA. The second edition of NATO’s AJP 3-16, Allied Joint Doctrine for Security Force Assistance, aims to adapt to contemporary strategic environments, drawing insights from historical advisory missions. Vibeke Gootzen provides a detailed analysis of these updates in “NATO’s Latest Doctrine on Security Force Assistance: What’s New?”, published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative on January 20, 2026.
Greenland Update. Recently announced Danish defense initiatives include expanding the Arctic Basic Training program from 30 to 50 students. This program, launched in 2024, is part of broader efforts to enhance local capabilities amid growing geopolitical concerns. A contract to lease aircraft from Air Greenland is also expected to improve aerial surveillance capabilities. An interesting viewpoint argues that Alaska may hold a more strategic position than Greenland for U.S. Arctic security. Explore more in “Greenland isn’t the answer to U.S. Arctic security. This place is.”, published in The Washington Post on January 28, 2026.
Guerrilla Warfare in Myanmar. Patrick Goldman offers a compelling analysis of guerrilla tactics in Myanmar, drawing parallels with the thoughts of Che Guevara and Mao. His insights can be found in “Guevara in Myanmar: The Enduring Logic of Guerrilla Warfare”, published in Small Wars Journal on January 27, 2026.
Taiwan Resistance and Foreign Fighters. An intriguing scenario is presented by Lumpy Lumbaca regarding Taiwan recruiting foreign fighters to resist potential invasion. This exploration is part of ongoing discussions available at “The Role of Foreign Fighters in a Taiwan Resistance Scenario”, published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative on January 29, 2026.
Afghans in the U.S.. The tragic incident involving a soldier from the West Virginia Army National Guard, shot by an Afghan, has led to significant scrutiny of Afghans residing in the United States. The shooter was a former member of CIA-associated NDS zero units, creating a ripple effect in immigration policies for Afghans who were in the SIV pipeline. Omid Kamal offers a nuanced view on this situation in “The Costs of Collective Suspicion: Afghans in America in the Aftermath of a Killing”, published in War on the Rocks on January 27, 2026.
SIGAR Goes Away. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) will conclude its operation as of January 31, 2026, ending a significant chapter of oversight in the Afghan War. This independent body provided critical insights often contrasting with official narratives from the Department of Defense and State, marking its reports as valuable historical records.
CT Policy Against ISIS at Stake. The U.S. decision to withdraw support from the Syrian Democratic Front (SDF) could have significant repercussions for its counterterrorism strategy against ISIS. The shifting political landscape in Syria complicates matters further, with the new Syrian government aiming to reclaim the northeast from Kurdish control. This evolving situation is analyzed in “Syria’s Campaign Against Kurds Scrambles Trump’s Counterterror Policy”, published by The Wall Street Journal on January 28, 2026.
Insurgency in Mozambique. Brandon Schingh discusses the rise of ISIS and its impacts on Mozambique amidst a deteriorating socio-economic situation. A timeline of events highlights the persistent challenges faced by the government and the humanitarian response limitations leading to increasing unrest. Schingh’s analysis can be found in “A War Without Headlines: Mozambique’s Insurgency and the Global Security Blind Spot”, published in Small Wars Journal on January 26, 2026.
Russians In Mali. Following the exit of the Wagner Group from Mali, the Africa Corps has taken its place; yet, the tactics employed remain unchanged. For a deeper understanding of the ramifications of this transition, read “In Mali, Mercenaries Have New Name, Same Tactics”, published by Eurasia Review on January 24, 2026.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Book – The Winter Warriors. In a recent interview, author Oliver Norek reveals the intricacies behind his latest novel set during the 1939 Russo-Finnish War, featuring the infamous Finnish sniper known as ‘The White Death’. Read the full interview in Lethal Minds Journal, published on January 27, 2026. Here’s the link for interested readers.
Sentinel. The February 2026 issue provides updates on America’s “Forgotten Warriors” – the Montagnards in Vietnam, a recounting of covert ops in El Salvador during the 1980s, a book review of “Textbook Special Ops: The Son Tay Raid,” and highlights on Colonel Mataxis. Read more here.
Report – The War in Sudan. Nikkie Lyubarsky and Gabriella Tejeda cover the involvement of external actors in Sudan and prospects for conflict resolution, certified by The Soufan Center in January 2026. A comprehensive PDF report is available for download here.
Video – Embedded with 20th Special Forces Group in Eastern Europe. A detailed view of Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) training with Latvian counterparts is available on YouTube. This video runs for 38 minutes and was posted by Mighty Finland in August 2025. Watch it here.
Video – What Do Night Stalkers Do? A brief insight into the inner workings of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been made available on YouTube by the U.S. Army, running for about 4 minutes. Here’s the link to watch.
Video – How CIA Black Ops Actually Work. John Kiriakou, a former CIA Counterterrorism officer discusses various aspects of black operations. He shares valuable insights from his experiences, including missions and interrogations. The video lasts 58 minutes, posted by Business Insider on January 22, 2026. Watch it here.
Podcast – Special Operations Aviation (Night Stalkers) with Kyle Hogan. This podcast features a former Deputy Commander of the 160th SOAR discussing significant events like the Maduro raid and discussing the future of Army Aviation. The episode lasts about 40 minutes and is published by WarVector. You can find it here.
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