Underground Strategy

Welcome to Episode 3 of our limited series on Number 788, hosted and produced by South African media figure Desmond Latham. Known for his History of South Africa podcast, Desmond brings his deep experience and sharp perspective to this series, guiding listeners through the pivotal events that shaped Max Lauker’s journey into Swedish special operations.

In this episode, Desmond and Max dive into the transition from intense training to high-stakes operations, revealing some of the unorthodox, unsanctioned missions that came Max’s way. Max recounts his time in the UK for close-protection training, where he found himself unexpectedly assigned as security detail for a Russian oligarch—complete with food-tasting duties to safeguard against potential poisoning. It’s a unique look at the blend of humor and tension that marked the early years of his career.

Moving on to Latin America, Max describes his initial assignments in Panama, where he was tasked with preparing for future operations and forging local and international connections. Desmond’s insightful questions help unravel the complexities of conducting off-the-books missions abroad, from extractions in Venezuela to joint operations with Colombian forces. These experiences gave Max a foundation in adaptable, real-world tactics, shaping the way he approached later sanctioned missions.

The episode wraps up with a discussion of the political dynamics behind Sweden’s special operations. Desmond and Max discuss the significance of Sweden’s proactive role during the Balkans deployment, a pivotal assignment that strengthened Sweden’s credibility within NATO-aligned intelligence circles and set the stage for a strategic shift in their operations.

In the next episode, Max will delve deeper into his boots-on-the-ground experiences in the Balkans, leading into deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Links:

Desmond Latham’s Blog: https://desmondlatham.blog/

History of South Africa Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uDa0tQjGe3GpFKDGjMMAm?si=2d2812af232742da

Number 788 on Amazon: https://a.co/d/is4FcIx

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Episode 5: The Home Front in Ukraine with Kostiantyn Koshelenko

In this episode of Underground Strategy, we are honored to be joined by Kostiantyn Koshelenko, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Social Policy and Digital Transformation. Kostia shares valuable insights into his role on the Home Front, offering a unique perspective on how Ukraine is navigating the challenges of war from both a governmental and digital standpoint.

Kostia shares his thoughts on leadership, how digital transformation is shaping Ukraine’s efforts during the war, and the ways both the government and private sectors are tackling the immense challenges they’re facing together.

You can explore more about Kostia’s experiences and strategies in his book:

Management in Times of War: Leadership Examples from Ukraine’s Government and Private Sector – Available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Management-Times-War-Kostiantyn-Koshelenko/dp/6177982103

Connect with Kostiantyn Koshelenko:

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine | LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kostiantyn-koshelenko

Kostiantyn Koshelenko on X:

https://twitter.com/k_koshelenko

Kostiantyn Koshelenko on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/k_koshelenko

Ukrainian Resources:

Digital Ukraine:

https://ukraine.ua

Good Deeds - About Us:

https://good-deeds.ua

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In this episode of Underground Strategy, we’re just kicking back and chatting about some of the military “legends” who’ve captured our attention. From the frozen fields of Finland to the revolutionary jungles of Latin America, we cover a few names you might know—and maybe one or two you don’t. Plus, will there be some singing involved? Tune in to find out.

Legends We Talk About:

Harry Järv – A Finnish-Swedish military officer who fought in the Winter War and Continuation War. He’s also a writer, which makes him pretty cool in our book.

Erik Bonde – Swedish officer known for his time in the Congo during the UN operations in the 1960s. We dive into his iconic photo and what made his legacy stick.

Che Guevara – Yeah, you know the guy. Revolutionary icon, guerrilla leader. We’ve all seen the T-shirts, but we talk a bit about his actual military career.

Koos De la Rey – A Boer general from the Second Boer War. Some call him one of the best military minds of his time, but we’re just here to shoot the breeze about what made him a legend.

New episodes drop every Sunday. No fluff, just two guys talking about the past, present, and sometimes singing.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow us on:

Website: undergroundstrategy.com

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Episode 9: Private Military Companies (PMCs) – A General Discussion

In this episode of Underground Strategy, Max Lauker and Tony Garcia take a closer look at Private Military Companies (PMCs). PMCs are organizations that provide military services, from logistical support to armed security, and they've become an increasingly significant part of modern warfare.

Max and Tony discuss the growing role of PMCs in global conflicts, their advantages, and the controversies surrounding them. While not diving too deep into the specifics, they explore how these companies operate, their impact on traditional military forces, and what makes them so integral to modern operations.

If you've ever been curious about the role PMCs play in today's military landscape, this episode gives you a broad overview.

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Episode 7: Winter Warfare—Survival, Strategy, and Snow

In this week’s episode of the Underground Strategy podcast, we’re getting chilly as we scrape the surface of winter warfare. From personal reflections to historical examples, we touch on what makes this topic so timely and important. We’re not going all crazy in-depth, but we’re here to give you a glimpse into the challenges and strategies that come with fighting in extreme cold conditions.

Will Max manage to get the name of the new NATO Secretary General right this time? Tune in to find out!

What’s in this episode?

We talk through some of the key points of winter warfare—how it affects both the troops and their equipment. Expect some historical throwbacks, too, like how armies through the ages have adapted to snow and ice.

Whether you’re prepping for a winter deployment (or just a cold day), this episode has something for everyone. Grab your hot chocolate and settle in!

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/who_is_who_229125.htm

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Claesson

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