SOUTHCOM

The 3 colors of TRADOC.

Operational Environment Must-Solve Problems Posed by the Enemy

By Kevin O'Connell | 02/19/2026 | Comments Off on Operational Environment Must-Solve Problems Posed by the Enemy

Understanding the Modern Operational Environment and Strategic Adversary Threats The current strategic landscape presents a complex operational environment defined by…

OE Watch Issue 1 2026

By Kevin O'Connell | 01/14/2026 | Comments Off on OE Watch Issue 1 2026

Articles in this release include: China  Russia Assists China’s Military in Potential Taiwan Invasion  China Expands Economic Influence in Nicaragua …

OE Watch Issue 9 2025

By Kevin O'Connell | 12/30/2025 | Comments Off on OE Watch Issue 9 2025

Articles in this release include: China China’s 82nd Group Army Brigade Enhances Red-Blue Training To Improve Combat Readiness Chinese Victory…

Colombia’s Gustavo Petro Promises New Approach to Security and Drugs

By Kevin O'Connell | 10/01/2022 | Comments Off on Colombia’s Gustavo Petro Promises New Approach to Security and Drugs

Newly inaugurated president, Gustavo Petro. Minutes after taking office last month, leftist President Gustavo Petro called for a new approach, saying in…

Colombia’s New Government Quickly Reestablishes Relations With Maduro’s Venezuela

By Kevin O'Connell | 10/01/2022 | Comments Off on Colombia’s New Government Quickly Reestablishes Relations With Maduro’s Venezuela

The Colombia-Venezuela border, which has witnessed millions of migrants in recent years. The first and most important step in this…

Venezuela Plays Host to China, Russia, and Iran in International Military Games

By Kevin O'Connell | 09/01/2022 | Comments Off on Venezuela Plays Host to China, Russia, and Iran in International Military Games

Venezuelan tanks during a military parade.  “This week, Venezuela will become the first country in the Americas to host military…

Iván Márquez Survives Attack but FARC Dissidents Remain on the Run

By Kevin O'Connell | 08/02/2022 | Comments Off on Iván Márquez Survives Attack but FARC Dissidents Remain on the Run

Iván Márquez, one of the leaders of the FARC dissidents known as the Second Marquetalia. “Márquez ‘is being protected by…

Murder of Paraguayan Prosecutor in Colombia Suggests Transnational Criminal Cooperation

By Kevin O'Connell | 07/01/2022 | Comments Off on Murder of Paraguayan Prosecutor in Colombia Suggests Transnational Criminal Cooperation

Brazilian Police have faced stiff resistance in the face of a sophisticated and expanding PCC. “The prosecutor was leading one…

Nicaragua’s Ortega Consolidating Dictatorship with Russian and Chinese Backing

By Kevin O'Connell | 01/02/2022 | Comments Off on Nicaragua’s Ortega Consolidating Dictatorship with Russian and Chinese Backing

Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Denis Moncada, speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrob. “For years, the Russian government has been focused…

Honduras Election Likely To Expand China’s Geopolitical Footprint

By Kevin O'Connell | 01/02/2022 | Comments Off on Honduras Election Likely To Expand China’s Geopolitical Footprint

President-elect Xiomara Castro of Honduras campaigned on opening diplomatic relations with China. “Could the new left-wing Honduran executive repeat patterns…