Topic: U.S. Special Operations Command

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Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Famous US Special Forces operations

Here are six of the most famous successful American special operations missions in recent memory.
Five ways 9/11 has transformed the US military

The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, fundamentally transformed the way the United States military wages war, forcing the Pentagon to rethink some of its basic tenets. Here are the Top 5 changes since 9/11.
PlayStation Move review

PlayStation Move may be four years behind the Nintendo Wii, but it's a major leap forward for the age of motion gaming. The new set of peripherals, available this weekend for the Sony PlayStation 3, doesn't revolutionize video games, but it shows Nintendo fans what they're missing out on: surprisingly precise controls paired with current-generation graphics. Click the blue arrows to check out the full review of PlayStation Move and several PS3 motion games.

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Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Afghan commando kills special forces soldier: US training mission futile?

An American special forces soldier was killed this week by a US-trained Afghan commando, during a joint night raid operation. One-fifth of all NATO losses in 2012 are by Afghan troops.
How bravery on the ground won controller an Air Force Cross

Capt. Barry Crawford receives the rarely awarded Air Force Cross for coordinating airstrikes and medical evacuations while in the middle of a 14-hour Afghan firefight.
Terrorism & Security
Reports: Afghan soldiers complicit in a suicide plot against their own government

The alleged discovery of nearly a dozen suicide vests at the Afghan Ministry of Defense deepens concerns about the loyalty of Afghan security forces, which have already killed 16 coalition troops this year.
Army sergeant suspected in Afghan massacre did 'multiple tours' in Iraq

The Army sergeant alleged to have killed 16 Afghanistan civilians on Sunday acted alone, Pentagon officials continue to say. They are treating it as an isolated incident, not as a sign of mounting frustration within US ranks about the Afghanistan war.
'Act of Valor': Does Navy SEAL film reveal too many secrets?

'Act of Valor' is a fictional account of a potential terrorist attack on American soil. The film uses 'real-life' active duty US Navy SEALs. Critics warn the film may give away sensitive intel.
Fatal helicopter crash underscores hazards of Marines' mission training (+video)

Thirteen Marines have died since October in serious aviation accidents during training, including seven killed late Wednesday when two helicopters collided in midair.
Special Forces in Afghanistan: not just taking out terrorists anymore

As conventional forces withdraw from Afghanistan, US Special Forces will take the lead in training Afghan soldiers and police – a task that takes Special Forces back to their roots.
Famous US Special Forces operations

Here are six of the most famous successful American special operations missions in recent memory.
SEAL Team 6 rescue in Somalia frees two from pirates' lair (+video)

SEAL Team 6 members raided a compound in Somalia early Wednesday to free two hostages held by pirates since October. The raid signals that US 'will not tolerate' abductions of Americans, Obama said.
How often do US military drones 'disappear'?

The US military acknowledged that one of its unmanned aerial vehicles had gone missing over western Afghanistan last week. With no pilot in the cockpit, drones can be tricky to fly.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: What really happened at the bombed out Pakistani military post?

NATO bombardment of Pakistani military post has pushed US-Pakistani relationship to new low. That's the bad news. It's also fodder for some great news reporting.
Chapter & Verse
Book on bin Laden raid is a 'fabrication,' says US Special Operations

'SEAL Target Geronimo' by former Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer, which presents an alternate version of the death of Osama bin Laden, is 'far off the mark,' says a US Special Operations spokesperson.
After the US pulls out, will CIA rely more on Afghan mercenaries?

Thousands of Afghan mercenaries are believed to be helping America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. But they're accused of flagrant human rights abuses.
What US manhunt for LRA leaders reveals about Obama's war strategy

Obama is sending 100 Special Operations Forces to central Africa to help track down leaders of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army), a brutal guerrilla group. Surgical strikes at enemy leaders are emerging as the preferred US strategy.
Five ways 9/11 has transformed the US military

The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, fundamentally transformed the way the United States military wages war, forcing the Pentagon to rethink some of its basic tenets. Here are the Top 5 changes since 9/11.
New York and D.C. alert as US warns of 'credible' terrorist threat

Intensified chatter on jihadist websites led the US to move to protect against a possible terrorist attack, likely focused on New York and the nation's capital, to coincide with the 9/11 anniversary.
In Afghanistan war, Navy SEALs and special ops playing more central role

Navy SEALs and special operations forces are not being withdrawn from Afghanistan war at the same rate as other forces, meaning their duties in the region will only grow. With the Aug. 6 helicopter shoot-down, the SEALs lost 1 percent of their operational population.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Three options weighed by the White House

How many US troops are coming home from Afghanistan this year? On the eve of Obama's speech on his promised July start to the drawdown of American forces, here are three scenarios.
In SEAL Team Six success, lessons from 'horrible night' in Iran 30 years ago

The SEAL Team Six raid of Osama bin Laden's Pakistan compound Sunday is being seen as a historic success. But the roots of that success are in lessons learned from the failure of a mission to free the US hostages held by Iran in 1980.
Bin Laden wives found in compound, one used as human shield

Bin Laden wives: During the night attack on Osama bin Laden, one of his wives was reportedly used as a human shield to protect bin Laden from US commandos' fire.
US Air Force chief: Libya no-fly zone would be too little, too late

Many experts agree with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who told Congress Thursday that a no-fly zone in Libya 'would not be sufficient.' But there are other options short of putting troops on the ground, which President Obama has ruled out.
Pentagon's quiet shift on Afghanistan war: Maybe safe havens aren't crucial

For years, the Pentagon has stressed the importance to the Afghanistan war of eradicating safe havens for the Taliban and other insurgents in Pakistan. Now, it's easing off those claims.
Stan McChrystal recounts US roadblocks to Taliban manhunt

Retired Gen. Stan McChrystal relayed story of how US special forces in Afghanistan finally got their man, despite an intelligence blackout from D.C. Now a Yale professor, he spoke this week about that Taliban episode, WikiLeaks, and information-sharing with the public.
Terrorism & Security
Petraeus strikes back at Karzai ahead of major NATO conference on Afghanistan

A war of words has erupted between Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and the United States just days before a major NATO conference on security strategy.