Underground Strategy
- Episodios
- 82
- Se publica
- cada mes
- Último episodio
- 23 Jul 2026
Sobre el podcast
Welcome to Underground Strategy
Where military tactics, leadership, and real-world strategies meet a whole lot of banter. Hosted by Max Lauker (ex-Swedish Special Operations, Intelligence, and Private Security) and Tony Garcia (ex-SANDF with extensive field experience and academic insight), we break down the latest in military strategy while keeping things real, candid, and fun.
Whether you're into the latest military insights or just here for smart conversations (and a few laughs), we've got you covered.
Tune in for weekly episodes packed with expert breakdowns, candid chats, and a fresh take on what's happening in the world of strategy.
It's all about staying sharp, having fun, and thinking a few moves ahead.
No fluff, just real talk.
Episodios 82
Helion Talks - Turning the Tide
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia is joined by award-winning historian and regimental historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Dr. Spencer Jones. They discuss a few of his published works …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia is joined by award-winning historian and regimental historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Dr. Spencer Jones.
They discuss a few of his published works including Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914, and the most recent release Turning the Tide: The British Army on the Western Front 1918
Jones challenges the traditional view of BEF commanders as out-of-touch relics, arguing instead that their brutal experiences in the Boer War forged a cadre of leaders uniquely equipped with grit, initiative, and the ability to withstand extreme pressure.
The conversation explores the BEF's chaotic and fast-moving baptism of fire—from the retreat from Mons to the climactic battles on the Marne and the Aisne. Jones highlights how officers at all levels, from Sir John French to brigadier-generals in the line, made critical, rapid decisions to prevent disaster.
Finally, he draws compelling parallels between the small, professional BEF of 1914 and the modern British Army, offering sharp insights on the challenges of attrition and the value of elite forces in coalition warfare.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914
Turning the Tide: The British Army on the Western Front 1918
Podcast: Not So Quiet on the Western Front
Spencer's Website
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks - Bad War Stories
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with retired U.S. Army infantry officer and Director for Strategic Innovation at US Space Command, Dr. Ben Zweibelson, about his new book, Bad War …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with retired U.S. Army infantry officer and Director for Strategic Innovation at US Space Command, Dr. Ben Zweibelson, about his new book, Bad War Stories.
Zweibelson, a veteran of multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, shuns both heroic myth and overt polemic to deliver a raw, philosophical memoir of modern conflict. He explores the chaos, tragic loss, and surreal bureaucracy of war through a series of vividly recounted personal experiences—from the sudden death of a local child to the absurdity of burying a shipping container to satisfy institutional folly.
The conversation traces Zweibelson’s journey from a son seeking to understand his silent war veteran father to a soldier-philosopher processing his own time at war.
He discusses the catharsis of writing, the importance of sharing these stories with the next generation, and how his academic work on reconceptualizing war frames these gritty narratives. Throughout, Zweibelson emphasizes neither glorifying nor condemning war, but instead capturing its complex reality to better inform policy, public understanding, and the profession of arms itself.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks - Général Louis Dio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with educator, archaeologist, and former World War I Centennial Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, co-author of Général Louis Dio: The Wartime Epic …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with educator, archaeologist, and former World War I Centennial Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, co-author of Général Louis Dio: The Wartime Epic of One of Free France's Greatest Soldiers, 1940-1946.
As the goddaughter of General Louis Dio, she brings a uniquely personal perspective to the life of one of Free France’s most remarkable — yet often overlooked — commanders.
Their conversation follows Dio’s extraordinary path from the Sahara to Normandy, exploring his legendary courage, humility, and lifelong devotion to service. Monique shares how her own background in archaeology and education ultimately led her to commemorate her godfather’s legacy, and how her collaboration with General Jean-Paul Michel and translator Colonel Jason Musteen brought Dio’s story into English for the first time.
She also reveals little-known aspects of Dio’s life, from his childhood trauma and wartime wounds to his deep sense of honor and refusal to seek recognition, even after decades of service across North Africa and Europe.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Général Louis Dio: The Wartime Epic of One of Free France's Greatest Soldiers, 1940-1946
Monique on LinkedIn
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks - Point of Failure
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and former civil servant Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940. Drawing on …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and former civil servant Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940.
Drawing on decades of government service and years of academic research, McCarty examines the careers, decisions, and battlefield experiences of the brigadiers who led the British Army through one of its most challenging early-war crises.
The conversation explores how McCarty identified and analyzed every brigadier who served in the 1940 campaigns, revealing a complex picture of middle-management command at a moment of strategic collapse.
He discusses why “failure” is an unavoidable part of the story, how interwar career structures shaped wartime performance, and why First World War service was far less of a predictor of success than commonly assumed.
McCarty also shares insights on the evolution of brigade-level command, the lessons drawn (and ignored) from the 1940 defeats, and the officers whose leadership in chaos left lasting impressions. From forgotten figures like Archibald Bowman to later luminaries such as Montague Stopford, the episode illuminates the human dimension behind operational history.
Finally, McCarty offers a look at his forthcoming projects—including a regimental history, a study of the Western Desert on film, and a monograph on the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – Infantry in Battle 1733–1783
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Alexander S. Burns about his book Infantry in Battle, 1733–1783. Burns challenges the long-standing myth that 18th-century …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Alexander S. Burns about his book Infantry in Battle, 1733–1783.
Burns challenges the long-standing myth that 18th-century infantry were rigid automatons following rote drill. Instead, his work reveals a far more dynamic reality — one where soldiers and officers constantly negotiated tactics, adapted to terrain, and shaped the outcome of battles from the ground up.
The discussion spans from the battlefields of northern Italy to the American War of Independence, tracing how ordinary soldiers fought, took initiative, and learned within the chaos of war. Burns also shares insights from rare soldier letters uncovered in archives across Europe, illustrating how men thought, moved, and survived under fire.
Finally, he previews his upcoming projects, including new studies on George Washington’s army and the Duke of Cumberland’s campaigns.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Blog: Kabinettskriege
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kabinettskriege.bsky.social
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – The Last Men Standing
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with writer and historian Gabriel Neville, author of The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution. Gabriel shares the …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with writer and historian Gabriel Neville, author of The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution.
Gabriel shares the remarkable story of one of Virginia’s most distinctive regiments — a force shaped by frontier experience, cultural diversity, and the harsh realities of early American warfare.
Drawing on two decades of research, Neville discusses how he pieced together a narrative many believed impossible to write, uncovering forgotten diaries, service records, and pension accounts to tell the full story of the 8th Virginia.
From brutal frontier battles and disease-ravaged campaigns to the human cost of revolution, the conversation brings to light a side of the war rarely seen — one defined not by founding fathers, but by the ordinary soldiers who endured it.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution
Gabriel Neville — 8thVirginia.com
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – Air-to-Air Missiles
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with aerospace engineer, pilot, and author Bill Norton about his groundbreaking new series Air-to-Air Missiles: Development and Combat Across 80 Years …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with aerospace engineer, pilot, and author Bill Norton about his groundbreaking new series Air-to-Air Missiles: Development and Combat Across 80 Years.
Drawing on decades of experience in flight testing and aeronautical engineering, Bill explores the evolution of guided air combat weapons—from their World War II prototypes to the latest fifth and sixth generation systems shaping modern aerial warfare.
The discussion breaks down how air-to-air missiles work, why they sometimes miss, and how human factors, technology, and combat conditions interact in the chaos of real engagements. Bill also reflects on current challenges, from counter-drone warfare to escalating defense costs, and previews the six-volume series that comprehensively covers eight decades of innovation, testing, and combat experience.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Air-to-Air Missiles Vol. 1: Technology, Development and Operation
Air-to-Air Missiles Vol. 2: First Generation and Early Experiences 1944–1967
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – Soldiers and Civilians: Logistics in the British Civil Wars
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Glenn Price, author of Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions: Early Modern Military Logistics and Supply Systems during the …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Glenn Price, author of Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions: Early Modern Military Logistics and Supply Systems during the British Civil Wars 1638–1653.
Glenn discusses the often-overlooked world of logistics and supply during the British Civil Wars, exploring how armies were fed, equipped, and kept moving amid the chaos of seventeenth-century warfare.
The conversation sheds light on the human and operational realities behind campaigns — from food shortages and transport systems to regional supply variations and the civilian toll of sustaining armies in the field. Glenn also explains why the Royalists’ logistical struggles may have been overstated and how supply lines, local productivity, and coastal transport shaped the outcome of these conflicts.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – Bold in Battle: South African Stories from World War II
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Karen Horn, author of Bold in Battle: South African Stories from the Second World War. Karen shares how her work brings to life the …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian Karen Horn, author of Bold in Battle: South African Stories from the Second World War. Karen shares how her work brings to life the overlooked experiences of South African volunteers who served across Africa and Europe — men and women whose stories have long remained in the margins of military history.
Drawing on personal diaries, letters, and firsthand accounts, Karen discusses the human side of war — from the courage of ordinary soldiers and POWs to the quiet sacrifices of families back home. She also reflects on South Africa’s complex culture of remembrance, the challenges of commemoration, and the importance of preserving these voices for future generations.
Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Bold in Battle: South African Stories from the Second World War
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – The Road to Helion
In this inaugural episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia sits down with Helion & Company founder and CEO Duncan Rogers to explore the origins of one of the world’s leading military history publishers. Duncan …
Notas del episodio
In this inaugural episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia sits down with Helion & Company founder and CEO Duncan Rogers to explore the origins of one of the world’s leading military history publishers. Duncan shares how his lifelong passion for military history evolved into the founding of Helion in 1996, and how that passion continues to drive the company today.
They discuss the evolution of Helion’s hallmark series — from Century of the Soldier to At War — and how these collections have built a global readership across eras and regions. Duncan also talks about Helion’s commitment to giving voice to overlooked stories, from South Africa to Sweden, and fostering international collaboration through partnerships like the new Underground Strategy series.
Helion Talks will release new episodes once a month, featuring conversations with authors and historians from around the world.
Links:
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Helion Talks – Whiskey on the Rocks
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Michael Fredholm von Essen about his new two-volume series Whiskey on the Rocks — an in-depth exploration of a tense Cold War …
Notas del episodio
In this episode of Helion Talks, host Tony Garcia speaks with historian and author Michael Fredholm von Essen about his new two-volume series Whiskey on the Rocks — an in-depth exploration of a tense Cold War standoff between the Soviet Union and Sweden.
Michael recounts the extraordinary events of October 1981, when a Soviet Whiskey-class submarine ran aground near a major Swedish naval base, sparking a ten-day diplomatic and military crisis. He explains how misunderstandings, high-stakes decisions, and Cold War paranoia shaped the incident — and how newly declassified documents reveal what really happened beneath the surface.
The conversation also looks ahead to his sequel volume, which follows the continuing confrontation and near-miss moments that could have drawn both sides into open conflict. Helion Talks releases new episodes once a month, featuring discussions with leading military historians and authors.
Links:
Whiskey on the Rocks Vol. 1 – A Soviet Submarine Stranded in Swedish Waters (1981)
Whiskey on the Rocks Vol. 2 – The Swedish–Soviet Confrontation (1981)
Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/
Produced and hosted for Helion & Co by UGS — https://undergroundstrategy.com
Music: ‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley — released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Botswana & The BDF with Bafumiki Mocheregwa
A small state, big pressures—Botswana built its army late and cautiously.In this season finale, we sit down with Bafumiki Mocheregwa, a historian and academic at the University of Southern Mississippi who …
Notas del episodio
A small state, big pressures—Botswana built its army late and cautiously.
In this season finale, we sit down with Bafumiki Mocheregwa, a historian and academic at the University of Southern Mississippi who studies the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) and Southern African military history.
The conversation explores how Botswana built its armed forces late—only in 1977—after relying for years on the Police Mobile Unit. We cover how the BDF grew under financial and political constraints, its complicated role during the Rhodesian Bush War and apartheid, and its later peacekeeping deployments to Somalia, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
This isn’t a neat story. It’s a patchwork of half-forgotten history, regional pressures, and unanswered questions about how a small, cautious state tried to manage the chaos around it.
Recommended Reading
The BDF in the Struggle for an African Environment - https://amzn.to/3IAvkor
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Inside Ukraine: Accidental Ukrainians
In this episode, we’re joined by John Gordon Sennett, a U.S. Marine veteran, writer, and co-author of Accidental Ukrainians, a personal chronicle of war, survival, and adaptation from inside Ukraine.John and …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we’re joined by John Gordon Sennett, a U.S. Marine veteran, writer, and co-author of Accidental Ukrainians, a personal chronicle of war, survival, and adaptation from inside Ukraine.
John and his wife Natasha Sennett moved to Kiev just before the invasion began. What started as a family decision quickly turned into a frontline life. From volunteering in the early days of war to chronicling daily reality, they’ve written two powerful books that bridge cultures, challenge narratives, and offer something rarely seen—honest, unfiltered civilian-military experience from inside a war zone.
We talk about writing as survival, advocating for POWs, the culture clash between glory-seekers and those who stayed, and how narrative itself can become a tool for recovery.
John also shares an exclusive preview of their third book and a bold new mental health project with Ukrainian universities aimed at helping veterans and civilians process trauma through storytelling.
This is not just another perspective. It’s a voice from the inside—and it matters.
Accidental Ukrainians – Books by John & Natasha Sennett
Part One – https://amzn.to/3H9GrUb
Part Two – https://amzn.to/3ZyJH1J
Connect with John & Natasha Sennett
Medium – https://jgsennett-78059.medium.com/
Substack – https://johngordonsennettsr.substack.com/
LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/john-g-sennett-sr
Project & Updates – https://accidentalukrainians.com/
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Operation Boleas: The SANDF’s Trial by Fire
In this episode, we’re joined again by Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a returning guest with deep operational experience and a sharp eye for military …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we’re joined again by Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a returning guest with deep operational experience and a sharp eye for military history. This time, we turn to Operation Boleas: the 1998 intervention in Lesotho that tested the SANDF just four years after its formation.
We get into the real story behind the headlines—why the mission was launched, how it rapidly escalated, and what it exposed about South Africa’s new defense force. From unexpected combat to political constraints and mission creep, Boleas became a crash course in regional military operations.
More than two decades later, the mission remains misunderstood. We unpack why it faded from public view—and what its legacy reveals about South Africa’s approach to hard power.
Jean-Pierre Scherman’s links
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/schermanjeanpierre/
X – https://x.com/schermanjp74
LinkedIn – https://za.linkedin.com/in/jean-pierre-scherman
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Operation Eland with Andy Balaam – Part 2
This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker continues the conversation with Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions.In Part 2, Balaam walks us …
Notas del episodio
This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker continues the conversation with Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions.
In Part 2, Balaam walks us through the attack on Nyadzonya itself — from the buildup on the parade ground to the destruction of the camp, the clearing of huts, and the tense withdrawal across the border. He also reflects on the aftermath, the claims of controversy, and how he saw the operation at the time.
Stay tuned for future episodes with Balaam, where we’ll continue exploring his experiences in the Scouts and beyond.
Warning: this episode contains graphic combat detail.
Andy's Work
Instagram – instagram.com/pseudobalaam
More from Underground Strategy
Discover Number 788 - https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Join the mission - https://undergroundstrategy.com
Operation Eland with Andy Balaam – Part 1
This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker is joined once again by Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions.After walking us through Operation …
Notas del episodio
This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max Lauker is joined once again by Andy Balaam, former Selous Scout and veteran of some of the Bush War’s most daring missions.
After walking us through Operation Long John, Balaam now turns to Operation Eland. In August 1976, fewer than a hundred Scouts crossed into Mozambique in a flying column, targeting a ZANLA base at Nyadzonya.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Balaam walks through the battle itself and the aftermath.
Andy's Work
Instagram – instagram.com/pseudobalaam
More from Underground Strategy
Discover Number 788 - https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Join the mission - https://undergroundstrategy.com
This Is Not a Drill: Listener Q&A with Amos Fox
In this episode, we’re joined once again by military scholar and practitioner Amos Fox for a fast-paced listener Q&A tackling some of the most pressing questions in contemporary warfare.From the blurred lines …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we’re joined once again by military scholar and practitioner Amos Fox for a fast-paced listener Q&A tackling some of the most pressing questions in contemporary warfare.
From the blurred lines between war and peace to the myth of maneuver and the limits of tech, this one hits hard. We talk endurance, positional warfare and why most armies still get strategy wrong. Fox brings sharp analysis and field-smart insight to a global discussion that’s still struggling to catch up with battlefield reality.
Expect clarity, hard truths, and zero buzzwords.
Amos Fox´s Work
Conflict Realism – https://amzn.to/4jc1mmQ
Revolution in Military Affairs (podcast) – https://shows.acast.com/revolution-in-military-affairs
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoscfox
Want to read like Amos Fox?
The Foundations of the Science of War by JFC Fuller (page 65 if you want to pass his class) – https://amzn.to/3F5QitH
Urban Warfare in the Twenty-First Century by Anthony King – https://amzn.to/4kssNK2
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Why Soldiers Fight: History, Power, and the Ritual of War
In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tarak Barkawi—an international relations scholar, military historian, and sharp critic of the way we often misunderstand war.We talk about everything from colonial …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tarak Barkawi—an international relations scholar, military historian, and sharp critic of the way we often misunderstand war.
We talk about everything from colonial troops and battlefield ritual to the power of memoirs and the global legacy of regimental tradition. From the jungles of Burma to the camps of Korea, Barkawi explores what really drives soldiers to fight—and why the stories we tell about war often miss the point.
We also get into his groundbreaking book Soldiers of Empire, the myth of the “martial race,” and the deeper, often uncomfortable truths behind military discipline, nationalism, and the afterlives of imperial armies.
Tarak Barkawi’s Work
Soldiers of Empire – https://amzn.to/3Hh7MDO
Orientalism and War – https://amzn.to/4kqGYQ3
Globalization and War – https://amzn.to/3YR281q
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Tobruk & Beyond: South Africa’s Desert War
In this episode, we turn our focus to one of the most iconic campaigns of the Second World War—the battle for North Africa. From the strategic significance of the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil to the rise …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we turn our focus to one of the most iconic campaigns of the Second World War—the battle for North Africa. From the strategic significance of the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil to the rise and fall of Rommel’s legend, the North African campaign shaped the course of the global conflict in unexpected ways.
We’re joined by Lt. Col. Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a combat officer, scholar, and friend of the podcast—to walk us through what made the desert war so pivotal. We explore the mobile chaos of the early clashes, the critical role of supply lines, and the unsung story of South Africa’s volunteer soldiers who served far from home.
We also dive into the bitter legacy of the surrender at Tobruk, the mythmaking around commanders like Rommel and Montgomery, and what it all looked like from the ground level.
Expect serious analysis, hard questions, and some reflections on today’s conflicts too.
Jean-Pierre Scherman’s contacts
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/schermanjeanpierre/
X – https://x.com/schermanjp74
LinkedIn – https://za.linkedin.com/in/jean-pierre-scherman
More from Underground Strategy
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Inside Ukraine: War & Improv with Serhii – Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Serhii Velychanskyi, we shift from combat to recovery—exploring how war leaves marks that can’t be seen from the outside, and how humor can help heal them.After serving on the …
Notas del episodio
In Part 2 of our conversation with Serhii Velychanskyi, we shift from combat to recovery—exploring how war leaves marks that can’t be seen from the outside, and how humor can help heal them.
After serving on the front lines in Irpin and Kharkiv, Serhii transitioned into Ukraine’s Center for Morale and Psychological Support, where he began using improvisational theater as a recovery tool. He walks us through his program “Improv 450,” designed to help wounded and traumatized soldiers decompress, reconnect, and rebuild.
But this is more than a therapy story. Serhii reflects on identity, language, Russian disinformation, and the existential nature of this war.
We also hear about his upcoming leadership work, his book Path to Effectiveness (Ukrainian only), and what it means to fight and heal at the same time.
Serhii’s Work
Improv 4.5.0 – https://improv450.com.ua/en
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sergey_velichanskiy
LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/velichansky
Path to Effectiveness (Ukrainian only) – https://www.skyhorse.ua/product/shlyahy-efektyvnosti/
Also Mentioned
Management in Times of War by Kostiantyn Koshelenko – https://amzn.to/43gNmlW
More from Underground Strategy
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
Inside Ukraine: War & Improv with Serhii – Part 1
In Part 1 of our conversation with Serhii Velychanskyi, we follow his journey from civilian to frontline soldier in Ukraine’s 130th Territorial Defense Battalion—where he took part in the defense of Kyiv and …
Notas del episodio
In Part 1 of our conversation with Serhii Velychanskyi, we follow his journey from civilian to frontline soldier in Ukraine’s 130th Territorial Defense Battalion—where he took part in the defense of Kyiv and the liberation of Irpin and Kharkiv.
Serhii walks us through those early days of the full-scale Russian invasion: the uncertainty, the shelling, and the harsh lessons learned on the ground. But this isn’t just a war story—it’s also about adaptation. Serhii shares how his past life as an improv performer unexpectedly shaped his resilience under fire, and how that mindset helped him—and others—navigate the chaos of combat.
Part 2 continues the story as Serhii transitions into psychological support work, helping soldiers heal through humor, storytelling, and group recovery.
Serhii’s Work
Improv 4.5.0 – https://improv450.com.ua/en
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sergey_velichanskiy
LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/velichansky
Path to Effectiveness (Ukrainian only) – https://www.skyhorse.ua/product/shlyahy-efektyvnosti/
Also Mentioned
Management in Times of War by Kostiantyn Koshelenko – https://amzn.to/43gNmlW
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Fortress Britain 3 with Gordon Barclay
The third part of our Fortress Britain series takes us north, where Gordon Barclay joins us for a deep dive into Scotland’s defense plans during the Second World War—and how they’ve been misunderstood ever …
Notas del episodio
The third part of our Fortress Britain series takes us north, where Gordon Barclay joins us for a deep dive into Scotland’s defense plans during the Second World War—and how they’ve been misunderstood ever since.
We talk about stop lines, airfield vulnerabilities, pillbox design, and the sheer logistical push it took to prepare the country for invasion. Gordon breaks down how anti-tank ditches, coastal artillery, and naval fortresses fit into a larger strategy—one that included Polish and Norwegian forces defending the Scottish coast. We also look at how these defenses evolved, what still survives today, and how some of it is only just being re-discovered.
Toward the end, we discuss how Gordon’s research was misrepresented during Scotland’s independence debate, and why wartime history—when twisted—can still fuel modern mythmaking.
Gordon’s work
If Hitler Comes: Preparing for Invasion – Scotland 1940 by Gordon Barclay – https://amzn.to/4kvhT6B
Other books mentioned
Fortress Britain: 1940 by Andrew Chatterton – https://amzn.to/3Sd5iJ4
Britain’s Secret Defences by Andrew Chatterton – https://amzn.to/4jYuT4x
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Zimbabwe’s Liberation with Takawira Chatambudza
In this episode, we explore the Zimbabwean liberation struggle—a war that redefined Southern Africa and left lasting political and military scars across the region.Takawira Chatambudza joins us to unpack the …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we explore the Zimbabwean liberation struggle—a war that redefined Southern Africa and left lasting political and military scars across the region.
Takawira Chatambudza joins us to unpack the origins of the nationalist movements, the split between ZANU and ZAPU, and how their armed wings—ZANLA and ZIPRA—fought on different fronts with different doctrines. We talk about guerrilla tactics, ideological influence from China and the Soviet Union, and how newly independent frontline states like Mozambique and Angola changed the course of the war.
Taka also offers a grounded, firsthand view of Rhodesian counterinsurgency tactics, including the controversial role of the Selous Scouts and their deep infiltration operations, and we revisit pivotal moments like the Lancaster House Agreement, ZIPRA’s cross-border raids, and the collapse of internal unity efforts like ZIPA.
This episode brings together politics, warfare, and memory from a perspective rarely heard in Western military history circles.
Takawira’s work
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Zimbabwe’s Liberation Struggle (Edited) – https://amzn.to/3H3f3XT
Want more?
For Better Or Worse? Women And ZANLA In Zimbabwe's Liberation Struggle – https://amzn.to/43gKeXe
The Army and Politics in Zimbabwe – https://amzn.to/43kG1St
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Fortress Britain 2: Battlefield Archaeology
The second part of our Fortress Britain series takes us to the windswept beaches of northeast Scotland, where archeology meets military history.Tony and Alessandro link up with Bruce Mann—a senior Historic …
Notas del episodio
The second part of our Fortress Britain series takes us to the windswept beaches of northeast Scotland, where archeology meets military history.
Tony and Alessandro link up with Bruce Mann—a senior Historic Environment Officer and real-world battlefield archaeologist—to walk through pillboxes, anti-tank blocks, and the overlooked coastal defenses that still dot the landscape today. We talk about how terrain shaped defense planning, how local contractors helped construct pillboxes under pressure, and why Black Dog Beach isn’t just a poetic name.
We also explore how defensive structures were camouflaged, improvised, and in some cases, repurposed entirely—and how the layering of stop lines and river crossings built a real strategy behind the concrete. From hidden gun loops to pillboxes disguised as cottages, this is the physical side of Britain’s invasion defense as few have seen it.
Bruce’s contact
Historic Environment Team – [email protected]
Books mentioned
Fortress Britain: 1940 by Andrew Chatterton – https://amzn.to/3Sd5iJ4
Britain’s Secret Defences by Andrew Chatterton – https://amzn.to/4jYuT4x
If Hitler Comes: Preparing for Invasion: Scotland 1940 by Gordon Barclay - https://amzn.to/4kvhT6B
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Fortress Britain 1 with Andrew Chatterton
In the first of our Fortress Britain episodes, we step back from the secret guerrilla units and look at the bigger picture—how ready was the UK, really, to stop a German invasion in 1940?Andrew Chatterton …
Notas del episodio
In the first of our Fortress Britain episodes, we step back from the secret guerrilla units and look at the bigger picture—how ready was the UK, really, to stop a German invasion in 1940?
Andrew Chatterton returns to break down Britain’s physical defenses—from the rapid construction of stop lines and pillboxes to the strategic thinking behind them. We talk about how much of the country was actually covered, why mobility was so limited, and how even a random brick hut on the coast fits into a much larger defense plan. It wasn’t just Home Guard with pitchforks—there was real doctrine, structure, and urgency.
We also look at the overlooked air and naval elements: radar, decoy airfields, and the sheer power of the Royal Navy—along with the PR, panic, and practical improvisation that shaped the public's view of the war.
Andrew’s work
Fortress Britain: 1940 – https://amzn.to/3Sd5iJ4
Britain’s Secret Defences – https://amzn.to/4jYuT4x
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/historicalandrew
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Inside Ukraine: Roman Kuzyuk - Inside the Wire
In this episode, we’re joined by Roman Kuzyuk, First Deputy CEO of Viysktorgservice and co-author of Management in Times of War. Roman brings a unique mix of experience to the table—from corporate governance …
Notas del episodio
In this episode, we’re joined by Roman Kuzyuk, First Deputy CEO of Viysktorgservice and co-author of Management in Times of War. Roman brings a unique mix of experience to the table—from corporate governance and martial arts to frontline logistics within Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
We explore the transformation of Ukraine’s defense sector, the challenges of legacy systems, and the ongoing fight to establish integrity and effectiveness within state institutions. Roman speaks openly about veterans' futures, the limits of reform, and the deeper personal mission that drives him through war and bureaucracy alike.
We also dive into his fiction writing, why he chose a detective novel to explain real-world corporate dysfunction, and how martial arts shaped his view on leadership, balance, and power.
This isn’t theory—it’s real-world warfighting, organizational struggle, and national survival, told by someone living it every day.
Books by Roman Kuzyuk
Management in Times of War (English) – https://amzn.to/44SdXbx
Ledarskap i krigstider (Swedish edition) – https://www.bokus.com/bok/9789177415527/ledarskap-i-krigstider-erfarenheter-fran-krigets-ukraina/
Connect with Roman Kuzyuk
LinkedIn – https://ua.linkedin.com/in/roman-kuzyuk
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/roman.kuzyuk.2025/
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Join the mission – https://undergroundstrategy.com
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Hitler’s South African Spies – Part 3
We’ve covered the Radleys, Rooseboom, and the Felix network—but in this final episode, the focus flips.What did the South African and British services actually know about these Nazi spy efforts? And more …
Notas del episodio
We’ve covered the Radleys, Rooseboom, and the Felix network—but in this final episode, the focus flips.
What did the South African and British services actually know about these Nazi spy efforts? And more importantly—how did they respond?
Evert Kleynhans takes us inside the counterintelligence war: the Royal Navy’s Y service, MI5, and the South African Postmaster General all played a role in intercepting transmissions, triangulating hidden radios, and watching the Ossewabrandwag from the inside. They were reading the messages. They had the direction-finding gear. And they still couldn’t shut it down.
We get into why—factionalism, political hesitation, and sabotage from within. And we follow the trail beyond the war, all the way to the abandoned treason cases, buried archives, and the intelligence files that were meant to be erased.
The spy rings may have fizzled, but the fallout never really ended.
Evert’s work
Hitler’s South African Spies by Evert Kleynhans – https://amzn.to/43u79jp
More from Underground Strategy
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
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Spanish Civil War with Séan Scullion – Part 2
In the second half of our series, we turn to the aftermath—Franco’s victory, the cost of silence, and the contested memory that still divides Spain.Séan Scullion returns to chart Franco’s rise from the margins …
Notas del episodio
In the second half of our series, we turn to the aftermath—Franco’s victory, the cost of silence, and the contested memory that still divides Spain.
Séan Scullion returns to chart Franco’s rise from the margins to dictator. We look at how he consolidated power, erased opposition through systematic terror, and survived long enough to become a Cold War ally. From forced exiles and mass graves to American base deals and a Vatican-blessed crusade, this episode unpacks how Franco shaped Spain’s future—and why it remains unresolved today.
We also talk about Séan’s book Españoles contra el nazismo, which is the Spanish translation of his earlier release Churchill’s Spaniards, and how the expanded edition reflects new discoveries and family stories that emerged after publication.
Séan’s work
Españoles contra el nazismo (Spanish edition of Churchill’s Spaniards, out June 4) – https://amzn.to/3ROJXFI
Churchill’s Spaniards – https://amzn.to/4j2bsqA
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sean.scullion/
X – https://x.com/sean_f_scullion
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Spanish Civil War with Séan Scullion – Part 1
In this first of a two-part series, we unpack the political collapse and brutal realities behind one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century—the Spanish Civil War.Séan Scullion joins us to trace …
Notas del episodio
In this first of a two-part series, we unpack the political collapse and brutal realities behind one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century—the Spanish Civil War.
Séan Scullion joins us to trace the long arc leading to war: empire in decline, broken reforms, class fractures, and military coups recycled from the 19th century. From the fall of the monarchy to the Popular Front’s last stand, we walk through the key players, failed power grabs, and shifting momentum between Republican and Nationalist forces between 1936 and 1939.
We also get into Franco’s rapid rise, foreign intervention, and why Madrid never quite fell—even when the war was lost.
Part one ends just before the reckoning. In part two, we turn to Franco’s legacy and how Spain still wrestles with its memory.
Séan’s work
Españoles contra el nazismo (June 4 release) – https://amzn.to/3ROJXFI
Churchill’s Spaniards – https://amzn.to/4j2bsqA
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sean.scullion/
X – https://x.com/sean_f_scullion
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Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
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Hitler’s South African Spies – Part 2
Last episode, we met Rooseboom and the Radleys—Germany’s early spy recruits in South Africa, whose operations leaned more chaotic than covert.This time, the spotlight’s on a man with a much better spy name …
Notas del episodio
Last episode, we met Rooseboom and the Radleys—Germany’s early spy recruits in South Africa, whose operations leaned more chaotic than covert.
This time, the spotlight’s on a man with a much better spy name: Felix. Real name—Lothar Sittig. The one the British couldn’t quite pin down. After escaping internment, he linked up with the Trompke network in Mozambique and was smuggled back into South Africa to help build a direct radio line to Berlin.
Evert Kleynhans walks us through how the Ossewabrandwag backed the effort, how the transmitter was built using stolen medical gear, and why British intelligence already knew what was coming. We also get into the kind of intelligence they passed along—some of it credible, some of it questionable, and some of it just… potatoes.
Part two of a three-part series on Nazi espionage in South Africa.
Evert’s work
Hitler’s South African Spies by Evert Kleynhans – https://amzn.to/43u79jp
More from Underground Strategy
Discover Number 788 – https://amzn.to/3BQGmm7
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