Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, intelligence, irregular warfare, national defense, and global conflicts.

Photo / Image: U.S. service members assigned to Naval Special Warfare Command conduct Special Purpose Insertion/Extraction training from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, July 25, 2019. U.S. Navy SEALs engage in a continuous training cycle to improve and further specialize skills needed during deployments across the globe. SEALs are the maritime component of U.S. Special Forces and are trained to conduct missions from sea, air, and land. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Ryan DeBooy)

Executive Summary

This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. The White House announced that a “historic” peace agreement had been reached with Iran. Israel continues its attacks against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, possible endangering the proposed ceasefire agreement. The U.S. military continues its operations in South America; most recently killing the leader of the Tren de Aragua drug gang in Venezuela. MARSOC changes out commanders. The conflict in Urkaine drags on; Russia can’t mount an effective offensive and Ukraine is hitting logistical routes in Russian forces rear echelon.

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