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

Photo / Image: U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) walk towards the water during annual dive requalification training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 12, 2026. Special Forces Combat Divers requalify each year to maintain proficiency in waterborne infiltration, a capability that allows teams to reach objectives inaccessible by land or air. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Landon Carter)

Executive Summary

This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. The Iran War heats up again, diminished interceptor inventories create increased risk, and Yemen threatens shipping once again. A former Navy SEAL is named to a high-level Navy position. SOCPAC has a new commander. Ukraine changes out military leadership and continues to hit Russian shipping.

Do you receive our daily newsletter? If not, you can sign up here and enjoy it two or three times a week with your morning coffee (or afternoon tea, depending on where in the world you are).

Key Developments

• Clashes erupt in Yemen between pro-Houthi and pro-PLC tribes
• Former SF soldier gets extended prison sentence at Fort Leavenworth
• USMC’s Ground Combat Element (GCE) 2040 Initiative
• China shipping up to 400 shoulder-fired SAMS to Iran
• Iran War casualties and fuzzy math
• Trump backtracks on Patriots for Ukraine