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

Photo / Image: Soldiers with 3rd Battalion 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard, participate in a helocast training exercise at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center Saturday, September 19, 2026. (Florida National Guard Photo by Mr. Orion Oettel)

Executive Summary

This week’s SOF Weekly Brief highlights significant developments affecting U.S. special operations forces and the broader national security environment. Ukraine conducted one of its largest drone attacks against Russia while Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Lyman. In the Middle East, Houthi advances and attacks are increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia and maritime traffic near the Bab al-Mandab. The United States and Denmark announced a new Greenland security agreement, while Washington approved major defense sales to Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. Other developments include U.S.-China diplomacy, continued strains on U.S. air-defense interceptor inventories, and updates on SOF personnel, training, history, and veterans.

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Key Developments

• William J. Donovan Awards Dinner by the OSS Society
• SF recruiting is up
• DoD guidance on testosterone testing
• Trump to meet with Chinese leader
• Saudi Arabia security crisis
• AFSOC’s new missile