US Intelligence believes Iran paid bounties to Taliban to kill Americans

The story of foreign intelligence networks paying bounties for the killing of American troops in Afghanistan has gotten new life with a revelation that Iran paid Taliban troops to kill U.S. and coalition troops.  CNN has reported that they have identified payments linked to at least six attacks carried out by the Taliban in the […]

Special Forces Detachment A: Counterterrorism & hostage rescue operations

You can read part I here and part II here.  The men of Det A were highly trained professionals, ready to carry out what would most likely be a suicide mission in the opening hours of World War Three. With targeting packets completed, covers established, and extraction plans committed to memory, they were prepared to […]

Special Forces Detachment A: Training & missions

You can read part I here.  Assigned to 10th Special Forces Group in 1958, radio repairman Private James Wild was selected to go to Berlin despite his objections, as he wanted to stay with an A-Team. Trucked over to Munich, and then taking the train to Berlin, he was picked up by several Det A […]

Special Forces Detachment A: an elite Cold War unit

It was the early 1970s at Andrews Barracks in Berlin. A stern-looking Special Forces Sergeant Major paced down the hallway for roll call. Daily Army accountability formations are normally held outside, but due to the extremely classified nature of the mission carried out by the Special Forces soldiers standing in the hall that day, roll […]

The ‘Deep State’ and its threat to national security

It is with a healthy mindfulness of the need for wisdom and humility in the face of complex discourse that we introduce the author’s personal opinion of the notion of a so-called “deep state” in American politics. It is not the author’s intent to investigate matters outside his understanding, nor to imply disrespect towards different […]

The Video of the Week: The Yemeni Rambo

This video from the Yemeni Civil War allegedly depicts a Houthi rebel, carrying a wounded buddy, running through open ground for an astounding 2 minutes straight. Throughout the ordeal, government troops take potshots at the man but to no avail. This footage is testament that courage under fire knows no affiliations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=135&v=dJSqz_Pnu3Y&feature=emb_title

Military history summer reading list

Many of us in the summer months like to sit in the sun, at the beach or at the pool, with a good book to pass the time away. And we could use some good escape from the constant bad news regarding the spread of the coronavirus.  My better half prefers murder mysteries or true […]

Fire in Iranian shipyard damages 7 ships

A fire broke out in an Iranian shipyard on Wednesday. This is just the latest in a series of fires and explosions that are have hit the country, many at sensitive sites, in recent weeks. The fire on Wednesday occurred in a shipyard at the southwestern port of Bushehr about 430 miles from Tehran. It […]

History of intelligence gathering: The Cold War

On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Great Britain rose to give a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, a grim look on his face and an even grimmer message in his heart. His speech began with praise for his staunch ally and friend, President Harry S. Truman and the United […]

The Business of Drugs: A Navy SEAL & a CIA officer tackle the drug trade

What happens when a former Navy SEAL and a former CIA officer get together and decide to study the drug trade? A splendid and gripping documentary series. The Bussiness of Drugs, which premiers today on NETFLIX, offers an original approach to the international drug trade. Created and produced by former Navy SEAL and journalist Kaj […]