$15 million bounty for Iranian officer behind the deaths of 5 American soldiers

$15 million bounty for Iranian officer behind the deaths of 5 American soldiers

The State Department is offering $15 million for information relating to the financial activities, networks, and associates of a high-ranking Iranian operative. According to U.S. Special Representative on Iran Brian Hook, Abdul Reza Shahlai, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officer with Quds Force, has been behind attacks targeting American soldiers and civilians. In 2007, […]

Israelis hit dozens of targets in retaliation for Syrian airstrike

Israelis hit dozens of targets in retaliation for Syrian airstrike

On Tuesday, Iranian Quds Forces launched, from Syrian territory, four missiles at targets in Israel. The Israelis’ reaction was swift. They retaliated early on Wednesday morning by attacking dozens of Syrian air defense and Iranian forces targets within Syria.  According to a statement by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Israel’s airstrikes targeted missile launchers, weapons […]

The defense implications of a Trump impeachment

The defense implications of a Trump impeachment

The public hearing for the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump is underway, and while a lot of the nation’s attention is focused on domestic politics, it’s important to remember that the world continues to turn even when our attention wanes. As Republicans and Democrats in Washington D.C. and all around the nation fortify their […]

Iran discovers massive oil reserve

Iran discovers massive oil reserve

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that his country has found a new oil field, which contains an estimated 53 billion barrels of crude oil, in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. The discovery increases Iran’s proven reserves by a third. Covering roughly an area of 2,400 sq km, it’ll be the country’s second largest oil field, […]

Just weeks after Syria pullout, US troops return to defend oil fields

Just weeks after Syria pullout, US troops return to defend oil fields

Just weeks after President Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Northern Syria, troops have returned to defend oil facilities from falling into the hands of the Islamic State. There were approximately 1,000 American troops in Northern Syria when President Trump announced, “It’s time to come back home,” earlier in October, but with this […]

Fraying at the edges: Elite SOF aviation unit faces critical pilot shortage

Fraying at the edges: Elite SOF aviation unit faces critical pilot shortage

According to a manning report, the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), also known as Night Stalkers, is facing significant manning shortages. The report, first obtained by the Army Times, concerns the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2019. It reveals the following numbers of pilot shortages: With regard to the MH-60 Black Hawk […]

SOFREP’s exclusive interview with President Assad of Syria

SOFREP’s exclusive interview with President Assad of Syria

“There is nothing personal, I’m just a headline,” President Bashar Al-Assad said when questioned about how he feels being called a war criminal in the western media. “The bad president, the bad guy is killing the good guys. It is black and white like George Bush’s narrative. The real reason for wanting to topple this […]

Trump lifts sanctions on Turkey as he declares ‘permanent’ ceasefire with the Kurds

Trump lifts sanctions on Turkey as he declares ‘permanent’ ceasefire with the Kurds

President Trump announced on Wednesday that he would be lifting sanctions placed on Turkey over their military offensive against U.S.-partnered Kurdish forces in Northern Syria, following the establishment of what he called a “permanent ceasefire” between the two groups. The president went on to declare that, despite receiving harsh criticism from officials on both sides […]

The US accidentally hit Hawaii with an EMP in the 1960s

The US accidentally hit Hawaii with an EMP in the 1960s

On July 9, 1962, the United States launched a Thor rocket armed with a W49 thermonuclear warhead up to an altitude of around two hundred and fifty miles over the Pacific and detonated it.  It took thirteen minutes for the missile to reach its predesignated altitude before the 1.45 megaton explosion illuminated the night sky […]

Watch: Russian mercenaries take control of abandoned US camp in Syria

Watch: Russian mercenaries take control of abandoned US camp in Syria

Videos surfaced on Twitter in the past week that appear to show Russian mercenaries contracted to the Syrian government via the paramilitary Wagner Group assuming control of an abandoned American installation in Northern Syria. American troops left the base willingly after President Trump issued an order to withdraw from the region, providing Turkey with the […]

Ending the ‘forever wars?’ US to deploy more troops to defend Saudi Arabia from Iran

Ending the ‘forever wars?’ US to deploy more troops to defend Saudi Arabia from Iran

The Pentagon announced plans to deploy 1,500 more troops to Saudi Arabia on Friday, including two fighter squadrons, one air expeditionary wing, two Patriot missile batteries, and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This decision comes shortly after President Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Northern Syria, a move that has […]