Afghanistan

Last December, a tourist visit to an island with an active volcano in New Zealand went catastrophically wrong. On December 9, while 47 tourists were admiring the natural beauties of the Whakaari/White Island, the volcano in the center of the island erupted. In total, 20 people died and 25 wounded, most of who critically with […]

The Taliban, despite signing a peace deal with the United States, have vowed to keep attacking Afghan governmental forces. Over the weekend and on Friday they did exactly that by ramping up their attacks and targeting a number of Afghan towns and outposts. They launched an attack on security posts in Bariha, located in the […]

The Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community is looking for its future leaders. More specifically, the Navy EOD community is looking for either civilian candidates or Sailors already serving in the fleet who are looking into commissioning through the Enlisted to Officer Commissioning Program (OPNAVINST 1420.1B). Both categories of candidates will have to complete the […]

The Special Operation Group (SOG) was a SOF unit from the Czech Republic. The unit was part of the Military Police and was one of the youngest units kicking around having been formed only in 2002. SOG consisted of two departments: the Department of Protection for the Minister of Defense and the Combat Operation Department. […]

Since the U.S. and Taliban leaders signed a peace deal on Feb 29, the world has been unraveling due to the spread of the Coronavirus. As a part of the deal, the U.S. agreed to decrease the number of troops in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 in the coming months and to have all troops […]

U.S. Army Rangers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment conduct mortars training during task force training August 2019.

My personal experiences from Afghanistan have taught me that the Afghanis are resilient people, capable of overcoming natural disasters, political turmoil, and complex insurgencies. Afghanistan’s economic development has been stifled considerably by war and poverty; climate change will only add another hindrance to the list. However, there is a deep desire amongst the Afghan population […]

Last year, a gunship crew from an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) squadron helped turned the tide in a fierce engagement against ISIS fighters in Afghanistan. The nine-hour operation took place last April in Nangarhar Province. An AC-130U aircraft from the 4th Special Operations Squadron was proving overhead support to a Special Forces assault […]

THE STORY OF CPL MATTHEW R. BRADFORD, USMC (RET) We all raised our right hands and swore an oath to our country for different reasons. By taking that oath we all chose service, and understood, at least partially, the potential dangers and sacrifices that come with serving. But when you’ve sacrificed your legs and your […]

The United States has begun the initial, gradual withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in keeping with the peace agreement signed with the Taliban on Feb. 29. The Pentagon confirmed this despite the political chaos surrounding the Kabul government. Under the peace agreement, U.S. forces will be reduced from 13,000 to 8,600 over the next 135 […]

With the recent 14th anniversary of Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), the latest addition to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), it is important to remember how it all came to be a reality. Much has been discussed about the success of MARSOC, but less is known about why it was formed — and what […]

Hardly a week has passed since the conditional peace treaty between the U.S. and the Taliban, and American troops are already leaving the country. Despite evidence that the Taliban have resumed attacks on Afghan government forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has given the order for the United States to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.s. […]