JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we consider the nature of artificial intelligence, and what affect it might have on Special Operations in the near future. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

Update -- rescheduled due to hurricanes!  Dr. Frank Sobchak, author of Training for Victory, is a retired Special Forces, a member of the JSOU Press Editorial Board, a Senior Fellow at Global National Security Institute in Tampa, a fellow at the MirYam Institute, and the Chair of Irregular Warfare at MWI at West Point.  Training For Victory: U.S. Special Forces Advisory Missions from El Salvador to Afghanistan, is coming out on November 19th. Training for Victory came about by scouring archives and open sources for documents and interviewing more than 120 SF NCOs and officers about their experiences.  It covers historical case studies of Special Forces missions standing up SOF partners in El Salvador, The Philippines, Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and provides recommendations and best practices for security force assistance and foreign internal defense. 

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we clarify the nature of irregular warfare, an often misunderstood concept. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we follow on from our last video, where we considered the nature of artificial intelligence, and what affect it might have on Special Operations in the near future . . . . we consider the how dangerous a threat artificial intelligence may or may not be to Special Operations, and what we can do about it. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we consider the cutting edge technology called nanotechnology -- what it is, and what it is used for. Next week we will explore what all of this means for SOF. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we follow on from our video last week in asking: What does nanotechnology mean for SOF and is it really a threat? We consider specific ways it could be used against us, and how we might prevent or defend in such cases. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What is the Joint Warfighting Concept? And how does it affect SOF?" Throughout history, how, where, when and why nations have conducted warfare has changed due to advances in technology, the nature of relative power between nation states, and political realities at any given moment. As time goes on, the likelihood of large armies facing off in a field of battle decreases, and the future of warfare takes on an ever-evolving look. The Joint Warfighting Concept helps us meet these challenges, and this video summarizes it. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What is Russia’s malign influence strategy and what are the effects?" Russia is known for its malign influence operations, which it employs to produce warfighting advantages that neutralize the effectiveness of conventional forms of deterrence . Russia employs influence strategies both against its own citizens and against its foreign adversaries. Let’s consider Russia’s messaging objectives and strategy, and look at few examples of operations Russia has employed against our partners and allies, and against the U.S. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future! For more information follow us on our website and social media platforms.

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What is Russia doing in the Arctic? And what does it mean for the U.S., allies, partners and friends? " Russia has proven to have a keen interest in the arctic region of the globe, whether in posture against its perceived threats from NATO nations, its desire to control future shipping lanes, or its desire to exploit natural resources there. We look at what Russia has been doing in the arctic, and what the future implications might be for U.S. SOF. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What's really driving Russia and China's growing presence in West Africa?" What hidden agendas lurk behind their advances?" As Great Power Competition intensifies globally, so does the contest over West Africa’s natural resources and strategic trade routes, which are re-shaping global power dynamics. China and Russia each pursue different strategies toward Africa, but they share the goals of subverting U.S. and European influence, while seeking economic gains. Let’s explore each country’s interests and strategies in West Africa and consider their implications. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What lessons has SOF learned in Ukraine that might be useful in Taiwan?" Based on a recent JSOU publication, this is a short summary of “SOF Quills for the Porcupine: Applying Lessons from Ukraine to Taiwan. In a rapidly changing global landscape, the United States faces new challenges from rising powers. China, in particular, has emerged as a primary long-term threat to U.S. national security. To counter this, the U.S. must draw lessons from recent conflicts, such as Russia's invasions of Ukraine, and apply them to potential flashpoints like Taiwan. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!