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

Photo / Image: Video Dark Dune 18. AFSOC aircraft conduct aerial refueling of French helicopters during Exercise Dark Dune May 2018. DoD

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-U.S. War continues with no resolution in sight. Many U.S. veterans who served in Afghanistan will note the five-year anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 15, 2021. Brian Petit comments on a better way for SOF to advise in Taiwan. The government is pursuing a journalist who wrote about a failed Navy SEAL mission off the coast of Korea. The Ukraine Russia War continues with no significant gains on either side; Ukraine continues to hit Russian logistics but is suffering from minimal interceptor missiles like the Patriot.

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Key Developments

• SF general assumes command of SAG-U/NSATU
• Oman and Iran have possible Strait of Hormuz agreement
• U.S. strike and interceptor missile inventories are down
• USASOC Best Squad Competition ran this past week
• Pharmacy by mail for veterans is at stake in some states
• U.S. and partner nation SOF units participated in PANAMAX 2026
• Protecting special operator identities could be law