14Charlie

About the author

14Charlie offers 8+ years of experience in defence intelligence and special operations, where he had the privilege of leading and managing small, highly-specialised teams in complex and dynamic environments in support of national-level objectives. He enjoys long walks through the mountains to cast cursed rings into magical volcanoes, and occasionally mounting efforts to blow up moon-sized space stations in his spare time. Opinions are certainly his own. Follow him on Twitter @cstrikesback.

Ansar al-Sharia Overruns Special Ops Base & Seizes US Weapons in Benghazi

According to recent reporting from the Long War Journal and Agence France Presse, Salafist jihadist militia Ansar al-Sharia and its allies have seized Camp Thunderbolt, a key base for Libyan Special Operations Forces located in Benghazi.  The base is reported to have fallen following a week’s worth of sustained artillery shelling. Ansar al-Sharia, the Islamist group […]

Despite Weak Relations, Iranian Support of Hamas Still a Threat to Israel

According to recent SOFREP reporting regarding Operation Protective Edge (currently ongoing since 8 July in Gaza, in case you missed it), the ability of Hamas to conduct such a large number of rocket attacks from Gaza is due largely in part to Iranian support of the Palestinian Islamic organization.  Iranian support to Hamas has occurred […]

One Missile, 298 Lives Lost: Profile of the Buk 9K37/ SA-11 “Gadfly” SAM

Author’s Note: The tragic loss of 298 innocent lives in this incident requires a strong international response that many realize can only be provided by the United States. As SOFREP has recently reported, such a tragic incident involving citizens from nine different nations has now presented the respective governments and people of Flight 17’s victims with over 298 reasons […]

The World’s Top Militaries: Do Numbers Alone Guarantee the Most Powerful?

According to recent reporting from Business Insider, the world’s top thirty-five militaries have been identified through a series of analytical and data collection means.  Using data compiled from Global Firepower and The Center For Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Business Insider created a useful infographic that visually displays the results of their analysis. We wanted to identify the […]

Air Force Base Defense “Reapers” Featured in National Geographic Special

Outside its typical area of expertise dominating air, space, and cyberspace, the Air Force isn’t widely known for its capabilities that extend past its traditional mission set. Enter a relatively unknown Air Force capability: base defense.  Cross that capability with a special National Geographic production, and one of the Air Force’s “least acclaimed missions” is […]

A Quick Look At Boko Haram’s Simple But Deadly Tactics

Since Boko Haram’s 15 April kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls from the city of Chibok in northeast Nigeria, the security situation in the troubled Borno state has been on the decline.  According to recent reporting, Boko Haram has continued to conduct a series of attacks throughout its northeastern stronghold, killing at least 200 people and […]

#BringBackOurGirls: Why Boko Haram Terrorists Won’t Be Defeated Easily

Following recent reports of the abduction of 250-300 young girls by terrorist group Boko Haram from a government secondary school in the conflict-ridden Borno state in northeast Nigeria in mid-April, countless high-profile western figures instantly took to social media in an effort to capitalize on the popular social media mobilization calling for action against the […]

Covert Op Gone Bad: Three Ukrainian Special Forces Officers Captured by Pro-Russian Militia

According to recent reporting, three officers working for the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) were captured by pro-Russian militia forces while conducting a covert operation in the town of Gorlivka, Donetsk region on Saturday. Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine has been the main hotbed of activity for unrest since Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula several months prior, […]

Violence in Rio Highlights Security Challenge Ahead of World Cup and Olympics

In just under fifty-one days Brazil will host the Fifa World Cup in twelve different venues, supporting sixty-four football matches, and costing South America’s largest country roughly 11 billion dollars.  This is significant due to the gross influx of tourists, teams and support staff, fans, and other visitors expected to either participate in, support, or […]

Somali Suicide Bomber Accidentally Kills Self Prematurely While Parking VBIED

According to recent reporting from AP News, a Somali suicide bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle accidentally killed himself prematurely while attempting to park the vehicle near the target location ahead of the scheduled attack window. Sources familiar with the incident report that the somewhat overzealous suicide bomber was attempting to parallel park* his vehicle-borne improvised […]

Stand-Off In Ukraine: Putin’s Russia Solidifies Position Of Global Influence

As world leaders and diplomats rushed to Kiev in an attempt to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine following the invasion of the Crimean Peninsula by Russian forces Sunday, Putin has demonstrated surprisingly limited intent to push further into sovereign Ukrainian territory, alleviating the fears of many. Slamming Western powers for “backing what he […]