GRP 188-An Inside Look At The Institute For The Study of War with Jennifer Cafarella

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify(Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

In this podcast episode, Jennifer Cafarella, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), discusses her expertise in Syria and counter-ISIS work. The ISW focused on Syria. Over time they expanded their Russia program, recognizing Putin's intervention in Syria as part of his global strategy. ISW provides support to educate civilian leaders on military force usage. They also train and advise senior military commanders while fostering young national security talent. 

The podcast highlights the attempted coup by Progozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and the group's uncertain future. The brutality associated with Wagner, such as disturbing videos from Syria and Ukraine, is discussed. Speculation arises on potential Russian defense and leadership changes due to the coup attempt. The ISW provides daily briefs and updates on the fighting in eastern Ukraine, which I think is the best publicly available information on the war.

Main Takeaways

• Analyzing the War in Syria

• Building ISW's Russia program

• Open Source Intelligence Collection

• Geospatial Intelligence Collection

• Wagner Group

Visit the Institute for the Study of War's website:

https://www.understandingwar.org/

Follow Jennifer Cafarella on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JennyCafarella

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off your first purchase. 

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band

GRP 178-Those that know do, Those that understand teach: My conversation with Army Special Ops Vet Rick Hogg

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify(Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

I sat down with Rick Hogg, a Special Operations combat veteran who served 29 years in the US Army and operates a training company called "War Hogg Tactical." Rick spent time in the infantry before assessing and being selected for Army Special Forces. Rick would deploy into combat 13 times working in various roles, including handling K-9s. His final deployments were to counter ISIS terrorists in Iraq.

Spending that much time in combat arms takes a mental and physical toll on a human being, and Rick advises current operators on dealing with some of these challenges. We discussed Master Sergeant Joe Andres, Rick's teammate, who was killed in action on December 24th, 2005, in Iraq, and once again, Rick gives incredible advice on how to deal with the loss of a loved one. We dived into running dogs in combat and how he and his teammates are alive today because of the skill of special operations K9s, particularly his dog Duco, who he retired from the Army. Rest in peace, Duco. 

Main Takeaways

• 82nd Airborne

• Special Forces

• Dealing with loss

• 13 combat deployments

• Falling out of a helicopter in combat

• K9s saving lives on the battlefield

• Advice to active military

All of Rick's links for social media and his podcast can be found on his website:

https://www.warhogg.com

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band

GRP 177-The Recruiter: My Conversation With Douglas London A 34 Year Veteran of The CIA

You can access the full episode below, or on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify(Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

We hear from a former CIA officer, Douglas London, who spent over 30 years working for the organization. London's growing up in the Bronx, gave him the street smarts necessary for specific roles in the government. We learn about the rigorous training pipeline for case officers and how the agency shifted focus after 9/11. London provides fascinating insights into the internal workings of the CIA, the sacrifices made by its officers, and the challenges and adversities they face in their work. We also discussed the emerging importance of OSINT. This podcast offers a glimpse into the world of intelligence and espionage, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in national security and the role of covert operations in America's foreign policy.

Main Takeaways

• Growing up in the Bronx 

• Joining the Marine Corps

• Becoming a CIA Officer

• OSINT

• Havana Syndrome

• China

• Russia

Get your copy of Douglas London's book:

The Recruiter

Follow Douglas on Twitter

@douglaslondon5

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band

GRP 162-The Last Train to Kyiv: Insight From a Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

GRP 162-The Last Train to Kyiv: Insight From a Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier 

                       Joining me for this week's podcast is Mikko. Mikko is an active-duty Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier who has been fighting the Russians since the 2022 invasion began. Mikko saw combat in 2016 as a breacher in Eastern Ukraine, working for a Law Enforcement unit in the Special Operations Group. He transferred into a specialized role sending him overseas, where he was in charge of a K-9 section. 

When the Russians invaded Ukraine, he was in Istanbul on his way home. It was a surreal experience as everyone was heading west out of Kyiv, and he was racing east before the Russians could encircle Kyiv. Mikko was in Bucha, a city in Ukraine when the Russians were executing civilians and witnessed the horrific aftermath. We discussed the cultural nuances between Ukrainians and Russians, President Zelenskiy, the Azov Battalion, etc. Tune in!

             Main Takeaways

• Apprehending criminals in the lawless eastern regions of Ukraine

• President Zelensky

• Serving in A Special Recconassiance Unit

• Witnessing Russians Execute Civilians

• The Azov Battalion

• Russia Underestimating Ukraine

• Mariupol

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspian.band

GRP 161-Don't Rush To Your Death: A Conversation with An American Tier 1 Operator

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

GRP 161-Don't Rush To Your Death: A Conversation with An American Tier 1 Operator

Joining me for this week's podcast is retired Special Missions Operator Fred Fusco. I did a podcast with Fred five years ago. Fred spent most of his career in Special Operations, serving as a Green Beret Medic before joining the Army Special Missions Unit, where he served as an Assaulter and a Sniper. We talked about some of Fred's experiences in combat, including dealing with suicide bombers on target, conducting hostage rescue operations, and working with allied Special Operators, including the British SAS, Australian SASR, and Polish GROM. Tune in!

   Main Episode Takeaways

• 18 Delta Special Forces Medic

• Poor leadership in combat

• Joining the Army's Special Missions Unit

• Dealing with suicide bombers while assaulting targets

• Hostage Rescue

• Dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury

Connect With Fred Fusco

Instagram

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspian.band

Connect With Eco Defense Group

Kay Foye hand-forged and handcrafted an incredible knife to support the work of special operators as they train wildlife rangers on the frontlines of the rhino war. She gathered materials unique to Africa, including spent brass from the range, and combined those with a wooly mammoth tooth. Working in partnership with Eco Defense Group, Kay is bridging the gap of their secret work to ensure these vets can do what they do best in a unique place. I've never seen anything quite like it, so if there are knife collectors who want to support US Special Missions Unit vets and protect the rhino in Africa, get one now. Click the link below.

African Wildlife Knife

If you are interested in learning more about EDGE, see the link below:

https://www.ecodefensegroup.org/donate

www.instagram.com/ecodefensegroup