News & Briefings

Get the latest news and SOF commentary here. Your source for all news SOF since 2017.

3
FM 3-05 Army Special Operations (June 2025)

FM 3-05 Army Special Operations (June 2025)

Since the days of the Revolutionary War, Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) have been persistently irregular in their approach. Our organizations have always provided outsized impact to the larger Army and Joint Force. While the adversaries, threats, and locations have changed, this impact has endured. However, we have not updated our doctrine since 2014. Now, as we face new threats and challenges, this doctrine will guide our transformation.
Covert Action: Evaluating the Future Leadership of US Strategic Covert Operations

Covert Action: Evaluating the Future Leadership of US Strategic Covert Operations

Two recent essays published by the Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) rekindle interest in a perennial debate about whether covert action, particularly paramilitary operations, and other capabilities related to irregular warfare should be the responsibility of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or the Department of Defense (DoD).
Army to study how sniper rifle, anti-armor and artillery fire impact brain health

Army to study how sniper rifle, anti-armor and artillery fire impact brain health

Long-term brain and head injuries have long been a concern for soldiers who absorb repeated shock waves in routine training with powerful weapons. A new Army study will examine how different exposures to firing .50 caliber rifles, the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle and howitzer cannons impact soldier health. Researchers will also try to determine if factors like the type of job, medical history or sleep patterns put soldiers at higher risk for chronic health issues like those common among football players.
Decapitation as Deterrence: Why U.S.-ROK Special Forces Must Be Ready for the Worst in North Korea

Decapitation as Deterrence: Why U.S.-ROK Special Forces Must Be Ready for the Worst in North Korea

With Washington reportedly considering the withdrawal of 4,500 U.S. troops from South Korea, and contingency planning intensifying for a possible dual crisis in the Taiwan Strait and on the Korean Peninsula, serious questions are emerging about how to uphold deterrence against an increasingly unpredictable North Korea. As the United States redistributes military assets to counter China’s growing assertiveness, South Korea’s exposure to North Korean aggression could deepen. In this context, a sharpened focus on the U.S.-ROK joint decapitation capability—executed by elite special forces—is not only timely but essential.
Loose Nukes In Iran Is A Scenario U.S. Special Operators Have Been Training For

Loose Nukes In Iran Is A Scenario U.S. Special Operators Have Been Training For

As Israel’s campaign of strikes on Iran continues, a question emerges about whether some level of additional action may be required on the ground to meet the stated goal of preventing the regime in Tehran from being able to acquire nuclear weapons. Even if unique U.S. conventional strike capabilities are brought to bear, there could still be significant targeting challenges, especially if the Iranians move to disperse elements of their nuclear program.
No results found.

Stay Up To Date

Subscribe to Our Newsletter and Stay Up to Date with the Latest SOF News and Events