Operation Pig Iron: OSS’s Skyborne Assault on Nazi Morale
Packing of miniature issues of the magazine by OSS members in “bombs” as part of “Operation Pig Iron.” U.S. Government (OSS) photo. Formed in 1942 amid the escalating conflict of…
Operation Red Wings: Valor, Tragedy, and Legacy in the Mountains of Afghanistan
United States Navy file photo of Navy SEALs operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left to right, Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson, of…
5.11 V.XI Sigurd MultiCam Shirt: Tactical Base Layer
Performance and practicality often take precedence over aesthetics in tactical apparel. The V.XI™ Sigurd MultiCam® Shirt, available in both long and short sleeve variants, positions itself as a base layer…
The 5.11 Founder’s Jacket: Blending Style and Tactical Functionality
Photos courtesy 5.11 Tactical Traditional jackets pose significant challenges for those of us who carry concealed firearms and other everyday carry (EDC) gear regularly. 5.11® has sought to change this…
CIA Launches Hollywood-Style Push to Recruit Chinese
The CIA has recently released two Hollywood-style recruitment videos aimed at attracting Chinese officials and dissidents to spy for the United States. These slickly produced clips, filmed in Mandarin with…
Turkish Coffee: A Rich Tradition in Every Sip
Traditional Turkish coffee brewing. Pexels photo by Ahmed. Turkish coffee is more than just a beverage—it’s a centuries-old tradition deeply embedded in Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Mediterranean cultures. Known for…
The Philosophy Behind 007: Ian Fleming’s Legacy
Bronze bust of the author Ian Fleming by the British sculptor Anthony Smith. Commissioned by the Fleming family to commemorate the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth in 2008. Photo credit:…
Folklore as a Weapon: The CIA’s Aswang Operation
Colonel Edward Lansdale (second from left) with C.I.A. Director Allen Dulles and United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Nathan F. Twining and C.I.A. Deputy Director Lieutenant General Charles…
Project Eldest Son: Ammo That Betrayed
Viet Cong soldier stands beneath carrying his AK-47 rifle. He was participating in the exchange of POWs by the Four Power Joint Military Commission. Photo by SSgt. Herman Kokojan –…
Ninja vs Samurai: The Iga Revolt and the Rise of Tokugawa
Portrait of Tokugawa Ieyasu by Kanō Tan’yū (1602–1674). Osaka Castle main tower. Cropped. The Iga Revolt, also known as the Tenshō Iga War (天正伊賀の乱), was a defining conflict in 16th-century…