Blog Posts

Tensions are increasing, not only in the Donbas but on the Ukraine-Crimea frontier following the off-and-on closure over the weekend of all three border crossings by Russia.

More than half the men and women who have left the U.S. to join the conflict in Iraq and Syria may actually be battling against the Islamic State instead of fighting for it.

“For those concerned that America’s military is in decline or somehow not up to the next challenge, we offer a few reassuring facts.”

“We’ve really been trying to reinforce the fact to Afghans that we are committed to you, and this gives the enemy some propaganda to say, ‘Hey, these people really aren’t committed to you.’”

TRADOC’s commander challenged military, industry and academic leaders attending the Mad Scientist Conference at Georgetown University to think differently about the future.

Every Grunt has a well of courage that is drawn upon as he moves through his tour.  It is a pool that resides in us all.

Dumping large sums of money into solutions that have provided no relief will only weaken the current state.

Governments should double down on this unfortunate incident and encourage police departments to highlight the positive contributions of Muslim officers.

After years of undercover work, the U.S. is starting to pull back the veil on what appear to be loose-knit, perhaps deeply rooted networks of would-be terrorists.

“Russia has won the proxy war, at least for now.”

“The Continent’s jihadists plot attacks while on the dole.”

“Ukraine had become Russia’s means for showcasing what might happen if we ever fought a firepower-intensive battle against it.”

Continue on for a summary and a link to download the US Army Special Operations Command’s UW Pocket Guide.

Continue on for a Mad Scientist Initiative information video.

Continue on for information on the upcoming U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Mad Scientist Conference (includes info on the live stream).

“A jailhouse interview with a German man who joined IS reveals the workings of a unit whose lieutenants are empowered to plan attacks around the world.”

"In the years after the collapse of the Soviet empire, the need diminished in Ukraine and elsewhere for a state-of-the-art army following Western promises."

IS is inciting supporters to mount more attacks on Christians just days after two of the terror group’s sympathizers slit the throat of an 85-year-old French priest as he was celebrating Mass.

“Except for blacklisted nations like Syria and North Korea, there is little to stop governments that routinely violate basic rights from obtaining so-called ‘lawful intercept’ tools .”

A Vortex Foundation and Small Wars Journal--El Centro Book.

"It is expected that South Korea’s contribution to overseas peacekeeping missions will play a more critical role in contributing to international peace and security."

A bit of ‘with tongue in cheek’ from SWJ’s resident Godfather and official cranky old man.

Right now there is a tactical pause in Iraq, but not an operational pause, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said on background today.

Jane Burrell was a CIA counterintelligence officer and had served as one in all of CIA’s predecessor agencies.

"Falluja was the first Iraqi city to fall to the Islamic State, more than two years ago, and the militant group had all that time to learn the city, sowing traps everywhere."