Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, intelligence, irregular warfare, national defense, and global conflicts.

Photo: A Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom crew chief assigned to Littoral Combat Force-24 fires an M134 minigun during a maritime interdiction operation while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 2, 2026. The vessel of interest was boarded and cleared before being destroyed. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility supporting Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, War Department-directed operations and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (Photo by Cpl. Daniel Garcia, USMC)

Executive Summary

This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. The Ukraine War continues with no marked advances for either side in the conflict. The war between the U.S. and Iran has picked up in tempo over the last several days with the U.S. now targeting Iranian government oil tankers for the first time. Piracy has picked up off the shores of Somalia, and Turkey is among the countries responding to the threat.

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Key Developments

• Cartels increase use of car bombs and drones
• Mobile Ad IDs have been giving away U.S. troop locations in the Middle East
• A former SF battalion surgeon is going back into space
• The Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll resigns
• Bowe Bergdahl’s conviction restored
• Russia has increased its use of jet-powered drones