In the publishing world’s search for authenticity, they often procure the names of writers who have been there and done that, but generally being a great soldier does not make one a great writer. Because of this, we end up with a slew of ghost-written mish-mashes of fictional memoirs and non-fictional novels. However, a relatively […]
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Appearance on the Resilient Performance Podcast
I was recently flattered when former Air Force Para-Rescuemen and my old Columbia classmate Doug Kechijian asked me to come on his podcast to speak about Syria, military journalism, and a myriad of other foreign policy topics. Give the podcast a listen on the Resilient Performance website. Here are some of the topics we covered: […]
Declassified documents on the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA)
A declassified document provides background information about the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), a little known intelligence gathering unit that collects tactical intel for Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and other Special Operations units. While units like SEAL Team Six hog the headlines, smaller compartmentalized organizations slide below the radar. That said, ISA has had some light shed on […]
No better team mate, James Hupp
Through the green tint of my night vision goggles, I watched the urban sprawl of Mosul speed beneath my feet, my legs dangling outside the door of a MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. To my left sat fellow Green Beret James Hupp, both of us anticipating our arrival at the landing zone. Behind us, the helicopter was […]
How the Leahy Law interferes with US Special Forces missions in Nigeria, Syria, and the Philippines
In many ways the battle for Marawi has been a curious event which has seen bandits belonging to the allegedly ISIS affiliated Maute Group attacking a Muslim city in order to raise their public profile and demonstrate their power to the Philippine government. Philippine SOF units and Marines worked hard to cordon the enemy into a small neighborhood […]
Tawi-Tawi: a nexus on the guns and terrorist underground railroad
Following my late night attendance of General Sabban‘s birthday party in Zamboanga, I met the general the following morning at the airport to catch a plane to Tawi-Tawi. I was pretty exhausted, but Sabban looked none of the worse for wear. I had been invited down to Tawi-Tawi for the activation anniversary of 2nd Marine […]