Exclusive Policy

JSOC commander likely to be SOCOM pick, sources say

The White House “loves" Vice Adm. Mitch Bradley, but final decisions are not yet in.

Defense Systems

Make big things small and small things big: SOCOM’s gear wishlist

As special operations forces prepare to take on a wider set of missions, their tech needs are growing more ambitious.

Ideas

Forging a new national security alliance

The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command wants to knit traditional and non-traditional government, industry, and academic partners.

Ideas

Add special operators to the Joint Simulation Environment

The X-Men have the right idea: training needs to include the whole team.

Policy

In Pentagon shakeup, some see bid for more secret actions, less oversight

Trump's unconventional pick for Joint Chiefs chair brings deep special-warfare experience.

Science & Tech

SPRINT contractors add details about their fast, runway-independent aircraft

DARPA-SOCOM program managers aim to review the technology-demonstrator designs in April.

Policy

How Trump may shake up DOD: an insider’s view

An interview with Christopher Miller, the acting SecDef-turned-Project 2025 co-author.

Exclusive Science & Tech

New small cruise missile slated for SOCOM gunship test

Digital engineering is helping smaller companies make big leaps in missile design.

Science & Tech

Special operators hope AI can reduce civilian deaths in combat

Automation could eventually turn “trigger-pullers into the experts that can do this,” one official said.

Threats

INDOPACOM wants more special operators in the Pacific

“SOF’s greatest power is early leverage” in deterring conflict, Adm. Sam Paparo said.

Defense Systems

Ultrasecure comms could give special operators a leg up

U.S., Norwegian commands team up to test a quantum-communications prototype.

Ideas

Too few planners understand what special operators can do today

No less than in yesterday’s era of counter-terrorism, SOF are indispensable in today’s great power competition.