Science & Tech

US Special Forces Are Experimenting With Bug Drones

As intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance needs grow, devices are shrinking.

Science & Tech

How Special Operators Are Taking Artificial Intelligence To War

Data and machine learning will steer missions and predict uprisings before they start.

Science & Tech

Special Operators Are Using Rapid DNA Readers

Conducting a midnight SEAL raid on a terrorist compound? Positive DNA identification is just 90 minutes away.

Threats

US Helicopter Shot at By Anti-ISIS Forces; Commander Blames Iran

No. 2 U.S. special operations commander in region says dumb rumor fueled by Quds Force leader is making the U.S. job in Iraq much harder.

Threats

US Special Ops Troops Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Raid

The mission appears to be the first offensive action by U.S. ground troops in Syria as part of the campaign against ISIS.

Business

All 8 Women Fail To Advance To Next Phase of Ranger School

But all eight, along with 101 male soldiers, earned the right to restart the first training phase next week.

Threats

Green Berets Helping with Earthquake Recovery; Pentagon Ferries Hundreds of Rescue Workers to Nepal

U.S. Special Forces are combing trekking routes to help find the dead and wounded in the worst quake to hit Nepal in 80 years.

Business

Army Shows Women No Slack at Elite Army Ranger Qualifiers

No debate about it, the Army is making the women trying to qualify for Ranger School meet every male standard – just like they want it.

Business

Six More Women Qualify For Army’s Elite Ranger School

Six more women now can attend the first gender-integrated Ranger Course on April 20. The last chance to join them begins Friday.

Science & Tech

What Your Facebook Posts Mean to US Special Operations Forces

Social media as an intelligence asset is of growing value to special operations forces, but there are legal issues and controversy surrounding its use.

Business

Peeling the Onion Back on the Pentagon’s Special Operations Budget

When compared to the Pentagon’s $560 billion budget, U.S. Special Operations Command’s share is relatively small, but not as tiny as officials say. By Marcus Weisgerber

Science & Tech

How US Special Forces Uses Google Maps

Looking for your car in a parking lot? How about a rooftop sniper? By Patrick Tucker

Threats

US Commandos ‘Lost the Element of Surprise’ in Yemen Raid

American journalist Luke Somers is killed in a second attempt to rescue him from al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. By Gordon Lubold

Policy

Did the SEALs on the Bin Laden Raid Break Their Code of Silence for Fame and Fortune?

An interview with former SEAL Team 6 member Matt Bissonnette. By James Kitfield

Ideas

Why the US Needs a Strategy To Counter 'Hybrid Warfare'

The Pentagon should expect more than a conventional fight in any military conflict with Russia, China, Iran or Syria. And it should start preparing for it immediately. By Robert A. Newson

Business

The Army Wants To Fully Integrate Conventional and Special Operations Forces

Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven the benefits of joint conventional and special operations missions. Now the Army wants expand that formula. By Col. Mike Rauhut

Science & Tech

Here's the 'Game-Changing' Tech Special Operators Want for Tomorrow's Wars

Directed-energy systems, night vision googles with full color displays and suits you might find in a comic book origin story. By Bob Brewin

Policy

Special Operations Commander Says Burden On Elite Troops Is Here to Stay

Obama’s nominee to command special operations troops said more should be done to help alleviate the stresses on families of more than 13 years of frontline combat. By Ben Watson

Threats

U.S. Forces Capture Benghazi Suspect

Alleged ringleader finally picked up, taken to secure location outside Libya. By Matt Berman and Emma Roller

Threats

U.S. Special Ops Adds to African Presence for 'Secret' Price Tag of $70 Million

Increasing fears about the spread of al-Qaeda across Africa have the Pentagon sending its Green Berets back to their original mission. By Ben Watson