Expert Analysis

Water and heavy gear up the danger factor in any training exercise.

Geo Hand: A Former Delta Force Operator Talks About the Dangers of Training

Aggressive, dangerous, spirited, creative, and risky training is what prepares soldiers for the u...

Expert Analysis Apr 15

Fig. 1 The Kestrel portable weather station is standard equipment among snipers. The JTF2 team that scored a world record in 2017 would have carried them. They provide temperature, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, and other metrics. Atmospherics are critical for ELR shooting. The latest Kestrels have built-in ballistic calculators, though probably not as sophisticated as the team’s proprietary software.

Coriolis Effect: Extreme Long Range Sniping as the World Turns

At two miles, Earth’s spin can shift a bullet by feet. Discover how snipers battle the Coriolis...

Expert Analysis Apr 15

Fig. 1 An Abrams fires an armor-piercing discarding sabot from its 120mm smoothbore gun. Stabilization of the sabot is very different from stabilization of the .50 BMG sniper rifle.

Learn the Science of the Long-Range Kill

Why do tank rounds fly true without spinning, but bullets need rifling? Discover the science behi...

Expert Analysis Apr 14

Former Green Beret Curtis Fox discusses the need for structural and operational adjustments within the US Army Special Forces to align capabilities with core missions and evolving global challenges. (Image: DVIDS)

In Focus with Curtis Fox: Reorienting Army Special Forces for the Modern Threat Environment

Special Forces must evolve or risk irrelevance—cut the fat, focus the mission, and embrace the ...

Expert Analysis Apr 14

A rifle and classified documents — both powerful tools demanding responsibility, judgment, and accountability.

Handling Classified Information: Sound Judgment Required

Like handling an M4, access to classified information represents an understanding of the responsi...

Expert Analysis Apr 13

Delta pipe hitters in Bosnia during Operation Amber Star. Photo courtesy of the author.

Geo Hand: A Delta Force Encounter With a Hezbollah Operative

Despite recognizing Hezbollah’s strength and resolve, I’ve never chosen to call it &#...

Expert Analysis Apr 12

Canadian sniper firing the .50. Image Credit: Canadian Armed Forces.

SOFREP Exclusive: The Inside Story of Canada’s JTF2 Record-Breaking Sniper Kill

From an elevated hide site in Mosul, a JTF2 sniper peered through his scope, steadied his breathi...

Expert Analysis Apr 12

Fig. 1 Russian Bereg A222 130mm coastal howitzer. These have been supplied to the Dnieper Flotilla and can be used to support river crossings along with the army’s considerable tube and rocket artillery.

Summer Offensive: The Russian Race to the Dnieper

Why haven’t the Russians blown the Dnieper bridges? A deeper offensive may be coming—and the ...

Expert Analysis Apr 11

Tradecraft 2.0: In the modern battlefield, tariffs, semiconductors, and supply chains have replaced bullets, bombs, and bayonets.

Why Bombs Are Out and Trade Wars Are In: How Trump’s Economic Bitch Slap Could Actually Prevent World War 3

War isn’t dead — it just put on a suit, grabbed a spreadsheet, and learned to choke you out w...

Foreign Policy Apr 10

Fig. 1 Dallas Alexander, of Canada’s Joint Task Force 2. Iraq, 2017

Selecting a Rifle: The Perfect Long-Range Kill

A sniper’s 2.2-mile kill defied odds, physics, and range. Discover the secrets behind the s...

Expert Analysis Apr 08

Fig. 1 Barrett Mk 22 MRAD Sniper Rifle System in .300 PRC.

Selecting a Rifle Cartridge

Choosing a rifle? The secret starts with the cartridge. Learn why ballistic coefficient can make ...

Expert Analysis Apr 07

A linguist practices Arabic at the Western Region Language Training Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (DVIDS)

In Focus with Curtis Fox: Why Language and Longevity Matter in the Regiment

Why rotate top Green Berets off teams early or skimp on language skills? SF needs pros who stay s...

Expert Analysis Apr 07

Fig. 1 Patriotic Ukrainian teens learning military skills at training camp. Photo: The Times

Can Ukraine be Saved?

Ukraine’s war isn’t just on the front lines—it’s a race against demographic collapse....

Expert Analysis Apr 05

Fig. 1 AR-10 Ranger by Wilson Combat. Photo: Wilson Combat

Selecting a Rifle: An Organized Approach

Choosing the right rifle? It all starts with purpose. Dive into ballistics, bullets, and beyond i...

Expert Analysis Apr 04

When Europe hides behind bureaucracy, Putin calls it a "standoff"—but it looks a lot more like surrender.

Troop Numbers Don’t Lie—While Russia Sharpens the Blade, Europe’s Still Arguing Over Gender-Neutral Foxholes

Europe’s leaders are busy sipping espresso and debating climate policy while Putin’s sharpeni...

World Apr 02

During a 2018 Counterinsurgency field exercise. (DVIDS)

Counterinsurgency Won’t Save Latin America, The US Needs Counter-Subversion

US must shift from counterinsurgency to counter-subversion to tackle criminal networks and foreig...

Expert Analysis Mar 31

US Air Force Staff Sgts practice breaching and clearing during Combat Leaders Course training, September 10, 2012. (DVIDS)

In Focus with Curtis Fox: Rebuilding Special Forces Leadership and Recruitment

Why are Special Forces losing their best NCOs too soon—and are 18X recruits helping or hurting ...

Expert Analysis Mar 31

Russian tanks traversing snow and mud. Image Credit: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

Ukraine’s Spring Offensive 2025: What’s Next for Zelensky’s Forces?

While most of the world scrolls past headlines and sips overpriced coffee, Ukraine and Russia are...

World Mar 30

Fig. 1 No Country For Old Men – Anton Chigurh’s suppressed Remington 11-87

Look Under the Hood: Different Types of Suppressors

Suppressors: sleek, silent, and complex. Discover the science behind stacked vs. monolithic baffl...

Expert Analysis Mar 30

Fig. 1 No Country For Old Men – Anton Chigurh with his suppressed Remington 11-87

Check Out the Suppressed Shotgun

From WWII to Hollywood, suppressors have quietly shaped warfare and pop culture—yes, even shotg...

Expert Analysis Mar 29

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Geo Hand: A Former Delta Force Operator Talks About the Dangers of Training