End in sight? Trump ponders troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2020

End in sight? Trump ponders troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2020

It’s December. The new year is just around the corner. And that it means that the war in Afghanistan will enter its 18th year. What began as an attempt to obliterate al Qaeda and its Taliban hosts, has evolved throughout the years in a protracted conflict with no end in sight. Apparently, the Afghan government […]

So that others may live: Military dog sacrifices himself to save Rangers’ lives

So that others may live: Military dog sacrifices himself to save Rangers’ lives

A Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion (2/75) was killed during a raid against an al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan. In doing so, he sacrificed his life to give his Ranger buddies a decisive advantage over the enemy. The MPC has been identified as Maiko, a veteran of six deployments in Afghanistan with […]

Permission to kill: Australian spooks authorized to use lethal force

Permission to kill: Australian spooks authorized to use lethal force

The Australian government will be authorising new criteria for the use of lethal force by the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS). Under the Intelligence Services Amendment Bill, ASIS officers will be able to use reasonable force when necessary in overseas operations to protect themselves and friendly parties. Hitherto, ASIS officers could only use their weapons for self-protection […]

The global influence and effect of American SOF

The global influence and effect of American SOF

The United States doesn’t just possess some of the world’s top special operations units, but, more importantly, it leads the way when it comes to SOF doctrine and development. Earlier this month, the Netherlands established its own Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) in order to better face current and future threats. The NLD SOCOM is modeled […]

USMC begins to deploy new sniper rifle

USMC begins to deploy new sniper rifle

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is beginning to field the new Mk13 Mod 7 sniper rifle to all its units. The new sniper rifle has a bolt action, stainless steel match grade barrel, dual locking lugs, an extended free float rail system — which can receive numerous enhancing gadgets — and a folding stock. […]

Report confirms DoD to investigate Special Operations Forces professionalism and ethics

Report confirms DoD to investigate Special Operations Forces professionalism and ethics

Recently, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has been enmeshed in a series of scandals and bad publicity. In Iraq, a decorated Navy SEAL has been charged with war crimes and his platoon leader with covering him. In Mali, two Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Raiders and two SEAL Team Six operators have been […]

What motivates suicide bombers? This new documentary reveals the truth

What motivates suicide bombers? This new documentary reveals the truth

Have you ever wondered what motivates ordinary people to commit acts of unthinkable violence? The last decades have been dominated by images of destruction: New York, London, Madrid, Nice, Baghdad, Kabul, and countless other cities. Now, a British filmmaker is endeavouring to describe the incentives behind these attacks in a new documentary called Path of […]

A small but professional force: New Zealand’s Special Air Service

A small but professional force: New Zealand’s Special Air Service

Founded in 1955, New Zealand’s Special Air Service (NZSAS) is a small but formidable unit. Currently task organized into four squadrons, including the counter-terrorism tactical assault group, NZSAS has seen multiple deployments to Afghanistan in recent years conducting operations in and around Kabul. The unit has had both its share of honors and controversies. One […]

SOCOM’s long-term drone program

SOCOM’s long-term drone program

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has just awarded an $18 million contract to Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, as part of the MEUAS III unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. Insitu manufactures the ScanEagle UAV for the U.S. military. The ScanEagle is an ISR-capable drone that can operate at high altitudes (its maximum operational ceiling is […]

Did Czech SOF and American SF beat an Afghan commando to death?

Did Czech SOF and American SF beat an Afghan commando to death?

xA number of Czech soldiers and a team of Green Berets from 7th Special Forces Group are being investigated over the death of an Afghan commando who killed a Czech soldier and wounded two others in an insider attack. Last October, Wahidullah Khan, fired at a vehicle carrying Czech soldiers, who were returning from a […]

Would you cover 9,518 miles for a cancer-stricken comrade? These men just did

Would you cover 9,518 miles for a cancer-stricken comrade? These men just did

Jordan Brown is a 19-year veteran serving in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He is assigned to the RAF Regiment, a unit that provides soldiering support to the RAF. Airmen serving in the RAF Regiment can perform a variety of roles to include airfield security, Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) support to ground combat units, […]