Sean D. Naylor

Airstrikes Killing Thousands of Islamic State Fighters, but It Just Recruits More
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 06:36
The United States and its allies may be killing thousands of Islamic State militants from the air, but the Islamist extremist group is recruiting at least as many fighters for its war in Iraq and Syria as it is losing, experts say.
The Islamic State’s Best Weapon Was Born in the USA
Friday, June 5, 2015 - 10:22
When the United States gave more than 3,000 armored Humvees to Iraqi security forces over the past 12 years, U.S. officials could not have imagined that the humble utility vehicles would become a decisive weapon in the hands of Washington’s enemies from the Islamic State. But that is exactly what has happened.
The Pentagon Ups the Ante in Syria Fight
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 07:02
Hundreds of U.S. Special Forces troops are heading overseas to train Syrian rebels to battle the Islamic State, but White House dithering and bureaucratic confusion could make it hard for them to pull it off.
Yemen Was Washington’s Counterterrorism Success Story. Not Anymore.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 - 06:58
The sudden departure of U.S. special operations forces from Yemen marks a devastating blow to a counterterrorism campaign that Barack Obama’s administration had heralded as a success story, officials and experts say, as Washington suffers another intelligence reverse in the fight against the al Qaeda group that poses the greatest threat to Americans.
Special Ops Staying Put in the Horn – For Now
Friday, February 6, 2015 - 07:50
The United States’ top special operations officer raised eyebrows Jan. 27 when he suggested that America might replace its special operations forces in the Horn of Africa, a hotbed of Islamist fighters, with conventional troops.
Washington to Play Bigger Role in Yemen Terror Fight
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 08:00
The United States is continuing airstrikes against al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen while facing questions about how to carry on such operations without a trusted partner on the ground following the collapse of the country’s fragile, pro-Western government.
Profit and Loss in Somalia
Thursday, January 22, 2015 - 06:55
Retired Delta Force soldier Brett Fredricks went to Somalia to train Ugandan soldiers to fight al-Shabab. On Christmas Day, he was gunned down when members of the terror group, some dressed as Somali soldiers, overran a base in Mogadishu.