Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan was in Indonesia last week and met with officials in an attempt to normalize military-to-military relations between our nations. A particular area of contention is Indonesia’s Special Forces unit called Kopassus, which is accused of human rights abuses. Due to the Leahy Amendment, U.S. military forces cannot work with individuals, … [Read more…] about America to begin working with Indonesian Special Forces again, but should we?
The “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare†video game series has always included scenes that are intentionally controversial. In “Modern Warfare 2,†one level sees the protagonist acting as an undercover operative in a Russian terrorist cell that raids an airport terminal and murders hundreds of civilians. The protagonist, played by the player of the game from the first-person … [Read more…] about Op-Ed: ‘Call of Duty’ peddles us some more amoral nihilism about ‘Modern Warfare’
I love reading about Special Operations history. It’s amazing what information can be found in published sources if you’re prepared to dig around. There’s a whole hidden history that can only be compiled by doing some deep research and really looking for sources. Thankfully, some former operators penned books that are well worth tracking down. Here are four of my favorites … [Read more…] about Special Operations reading list: A few of my favorite hidden gems
Four years ago, NEWSREP reported that United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) developed the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS)—a hardened exo-skeleton suit for special operators—and it was really a sham, but promising technologies emerged in the process. From 2015’s “TALOS: Special Operations Powered Armor or Just Another Boondoggle?” Initiated under Admiral … [Read more…] about US Special Operations Command rolls from the TALOS boondoggle into another with Hyper-Enabled Operator
I knew it was going to be one of those days the second we rolled outside the wire. It was midday, and a thick black column of smoke rose above the city from a fire somewhere in the urban sprawl. I was now the tactical commander for the lead Stryker in our convoy, meaning I had to get us where we needed to go and get us back home, navigating the streets of the city and not … [Read more…] about ‘Murphy’s Law’: Hunting terrorists with the Special Operations Task Force in Iraq
Some sharp eyes over at The Drive recently spotted a modification to the MH-6 Little Bird helicopter in a USASOC-released video. The footage shows the Little Bird configured with external pods designed for ferrying special operations soldiers to their targets, but underneath one can see a rectangular attachment that appears to be an additional fuel tank. Robertson Fuel Systems … [Read more…] about MH-6 Little Bird gets an extended fuel range with some new toys
In recent years, a series of cringe-worthy posts inevitably surface on social media that lambaste veterans and chastise civilians about the appropriate way to observe Memorial Day. Rather than enjoy a long weekend and some time with our families, we’re now expected to be sad and solemn as we remember our fallen soldiers. For some people, Memorial Day isn’t a day for … [Read more…] about This Memorial Day, you should have a BBQ
The following is an excerpt from the new book, “Murphy’s Law: My Journey from Ranger and Green Beret to Investigative Journalist.” That night we were driven out to the border crossing. On the side of the road, we picked up a Canadian named Peter Douglass, which had been prearranged with the driver. He was a 66-year-old Canadian who had lived in Germany for 10 years and … [Read more…] about ‘Murphy’s Law’: The time I got smuggled into Syria
After 17 years in prison, John Walker Lindh, the American who joined the Taliban prior to the 9/11 attacks, was released. He was captured by 5th Special Forces Group soldiers and Northern Alliance fighters during the opening days of the war in Afghanistan.  Often referred to as the “American Taliban,” Lindh converted to Islam as a teenager. There are stipulations regarding … [Read more…] about ‘American Taliban’ John Walker Lindh released from prison
The White House is reportedly drafting documents to pardon a number of convicted or alleged war criminals, including Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, but Congressman and former SEAL Dan Crenshaw is speaking out against such a move. “These cases should be decided by the courts, where the entirety of the evidence can be viewed. Only after that should a pardon be considered,” Crenshaw, … [Read more…] about Congressman, former SEAL, opposes possible pardon for accused war criminals
The following article was written by guest writer Quentin Mathey, who is a friend and a Swiss militia member. Switzerland’s militia is part of their federalized military service system. Quentin is a big advocate for the Swiss defense forces as well as a supporter of private gun ownership in his country. In light of the recent passage of more restrictive gun laws in Switzerland, … [Read more…] about Switzerland says ‘oui’ to EU gun regulations: Commentary from a Swiss gun rights advocate
An earlier edition of this article previously appeared on NEWSREP in its redacted form. A more in-depth explanation about the DOD review process and appeal can be found at the end of this article for those who would like to read it, but without a doubt the following unredacted history of Special Forces Detachment A found here is far more interesting. It was the early 1970s, … [Read more…] about Unredacted: Special Forces Detachment A—Cold War espionage and counterterrorism from Berlin to Iran
