Ideas
DOD Managers Need a New Approach. SOCOM Can Lead the Way
The Pentagon's McNamara-era philosophy is woefully insufficient to a world that changes daily. U.S. Special Operations Command is working to craft a better one.
Exclusive
Ideas
How Special Operations Forces Must Meet the Challenges of a New Era
To the commander of U.S. SOCOM, what matters most is whether we solve the problem our nation needs solved.
Science & Tech
Tomorrow’s Special Operator? Less Iron Man, More 007
But first, SOCOM must reverse a trend of “falling behind, not just linearly but exponentially” to Chinese and Russian tech.
Threats
With Lessons from Ukraine, US Special Forces Reinvents Itself for a Fight with China
A recent exercise was Army SOCOM’s first to explicitly name China as the adversary.
Policy
Special Operations Seeks 20% R&D Budget Bump
Collaborative autonomy and better contested communications top the wish list, while supply-chain risk becomes a top concern.
Science & Tech
The Reaper UAV Is Getting Its Own Drone Swarm
Air Force special operators are rigging the venerable uncrewed aircraft with an ISR swarm that may take just one person to control.
Policy
Army Special Operators Seek to Reduce Suicide with ‘Bottom-Led’ Approach
Units have been ordered to develop anti-suicide efforts based on the USASOC's new strategy.
Policy
Ukraine, Irregular-War Changes Are Reshaping Pentagon’s Info-Ops Strategy
Civilians reporting military movements and a return to proxy war will inform the first IO update in seven years.
Policy
Special Operators Lack ‘Seat at the Table’ in Post-Counterterror Pentagon, SOF Leaders Say
Even as U.S.-trained Ukranians show their mettle, SOF is getting lost in the transition to great power competition, says the assistant defense secretary for special ops.
Threats
The US’s New Tool for Deterrence Isn’t Ready
The “SOF, space, and cyber triad” is meant to serve as an integrated deterrent, much like the nuclear triad.
Threats
Army Special Ops Is Changing Psyops Training to Reflect Ukraine War
Even as some operators chafe at rules that keep them out of the fight, they are keenly interested in how Ukrainians are applying their U.S. training.
Policy
Oversight of Special Operations Forces Requires Better Data, Watchdog Says
The data collected by U.S. Special Operations Command lacks consistency and transparency, the Government Accountability Office found.
Threats
This Gen-Z Value Could Spell Trouble for Spec Ops Community
CNA looked at the leadership traits valued by today’s youth, special operators, and strategists of tomorrow.
Threats
New ‘Influence Triad’ Will Fuse SOF, Cyber, and Space Command Satellite Intelligence
Information warfare cells, where space units and SOCOM work side by side, will be dispersed throughout combatant commands.
Business
SOCOM Orders Cropduster Attack Planes from L3Harris Technologies
The contract, which could grow to 75 aircraft, marks a major victory for proponents of prop-driven close air support.
Policy
SOCOM Nominee Sees China Fight As More Partner Building, Less Door Kicking
The SOCOM mission in the age of high-end conflict a lot less flashy than Zero Dark Thirty
Threats
Three More Nations Join Ukraine Planning Cell Run By Army Special Forces
Army secretary says U.S. intelligence may help Ukrainian convoys evade Russians.
Science & Tech
‘Collaborative, Portable Autonomy’ Is the Future of AI for Special Operations
Creating autonomous teams in contested environments will be a challenge of technology—and policy.
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