US occupies Syrian oil fields as a foreign policy maneuver

Despite President Donald Trump’s pledge to end “forever wars” by withdrawing troops from Syria, the U.S. has in fact taken over oil fields in the country. By doing this, Washington is further entrenching itself in the eight-year-long war as well as setting itself up for long term confrontation with regional actors. Ostensibly, the U.S. presence […]

Raid on al-Baghdadi and the targeting of terrorist leaders: The best way?

Is this the best strategy in the War on Terror? Like everyone else, we watched riveted as the Pentagon released video of the Special Operations Forces from the 1st SFOD – Delta, commonly known as Delta Force, taking down the compound of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  And as much as everyone complained about President Trump’s comments, […]

Future US-Iraqi relations uncertain as Baghdad is gripped by protests

In recent weeks, and as discontent has been rising throughout the country, tens of thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets of Baghdad to demonstrate. During the past two years, since Iraq’s declaration of victory against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, institutional problems have resulted in large scale protests. Like in Lebanon, […]

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 […]

‘On me!’ — Watch Delta shooters and Kurdish SOF raid ISIS compound

With everyone praising Delta Force and the rest of the assault force for the killing of the leader of ISIS, it’s worth taking a moment and reflecting the operations and sacrifices that have led to this moment. Delta has led the campaign against ISIS since 2015, either by conducting surgical raids or unconventional warfare in […]

Wiping the slate clean: How the US obliterated any chance of an al-Baghdadi shrine

Last Saturday night, approximately 70 special operators hailing from Delta Force’s A Squadron and the 75th Ranger Regiment stormed a compound in the Idlib Province of Northeast Syria with orders to kill or capture ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The mission has been hailed as a complete success, with no American troops lost and one […]

Will the elimination of Baghdadi change the US’ relationship with the Kurds?

The swift and daring raid by members of the United States Special Operations Command to take out Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was a resounding success. Al-Baghdadi who was considered the head of ISIS and established a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq before being routed by a U.S.-led coalition. That coalition included the Kurdish-led Syrian […]

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 […]

The Hero that got hurt in the weekend ISIS raid is named Conan — what a good pup!

Earlier today, President Donald Trump released the first image of the military working dog that was injured during Saturday’s dramatic raid that culminated in the death of ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The dog, whose name the president said remains classified (but is rumored to be Conan), was injured when al-Baghdadi chose to kill himself […]