Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast! This week, we are talking to a risk management expert in the humanitarian sector. E. has previously worked in the military and private security sector in many countries and conflict zones. We'll discuss the opportunities presented during crisis, how humanitarian NGOs use intelligence and the complexity of navigating the current information space.

• 0:00 - Intro and E's background
• 5:13 - Getting into humanitarian security
• 7:26 - How the private sector can learn to see risk as an opportunity
• 9:00 - Why is the private sector so conservative with risk
• 14:23 - Is there space for the private and humanitarian sector to work closer together
• 16:50 - Does the humanitarian sector have anything to learn from the private sector in terms of their approach to security
• 19:17 - How organisations such as humanitarian NGOs can use intelligence to support their operations
• 21:01 - Overcoming the stigma associated with intelligence in the humanitarian sector
• 24:39 - How unhelpful the mystification of intelligence is
• 28:54 - How has OSINT impacted the humanitarian sector?
• 32:25 - How do humanitarian organisations navigate the complexity of the current information domain
• 40:31 - What are some of the tools and techniques E uses for his work
• 45:23 - Advice on getting into security risk management in the humanitarian sector
• 47:31 - What keeps E up at night
• 53:29 - The emerging weaponisation of refugees
• 59:32 - Cultural recommendations

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We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.

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Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast for season 3! We're kicking things off with a fascinating guest today, Pasha Munro. Pasha served as a Royal Marine Mountain Leader and Special Boat Service operator as part of UKSF in the British Armed Forces. Today, he is the director of operations at the private security company Black Box Global. Pasha has honed his skills in high-pressure environments, where precision, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence are paramount. His extensive experience in conducting complex operations and mitigating security risks allows him to provide invaluable guidance and leadership in safeguarding organisations and their assets.

You can find Pasha Munro on LinkedIn.

• 0:37 - Pasha’s background
• 4:34 - Becoming a Royal Marine
• 9:54 - First time in Special Forces selection
• 12:12 - Becoming a Royal Marine mountain leader and returning to Special Forces selection
• 15:35 - Joining the Special Boat Service (SBS)
• 18:31 - Why Pasha choose the SBS
• 19:18 - Training and earning his keep in the SBS
• 21:25 - Deploying to Afghanistan with the SBS
• 31:13 - Getting back into maritime activities
• 32:32 - The Afghanistan pullout
• 35:11 - Operational scenarios in the SBS
• 37:32 - The psychological aspect of being in the water
• 38:55 - Life after the SBS, office life and close protection
• 43:27 - Black Box Global
• 46:33 - Mentoring and advice
• 49:17 - Being able to switch off
• 50:52 - Advice to young people

Sign up to the Grey Dynamics Intelligence School (GDIS) for Top Instructors, Practical Skills, and Real-World Application.

We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.

With security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to secret & top secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!

Podcast Archive

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We're back to discuss the 2019 reboot of Call of Duty's Modern Warfare series! In this episode we'll be talking about the inspirations for the campaign, the controversies that made headlines, chemical weapons and much more.

Make sure to stay tuned for the first episode of season three, coming very soon!

You can find Marcel Plichta on:

• Grey Dynamics
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

You can find Michael Elmer on:

• Grey Dynamics
• LinkedIn

0:00 - Intro

1:27 - Context

5:54 - Marines vs. Spetsnaz in Kastovia

20:26 - The London Attack

27:07 - Russian occupation in Urzikstan

36:11 - US Marines and CIA search for Al-Qatala

38:03 - Storming of the US embassy in Urzikstan

44:27 - The Highway of Death

49:39 - The flashback 

52:20 - Designating the rebels as terrorists and intel briefings

58:05 - Second flashback

1:00:16 - Clandestine operation in Russia and going to get General Barkov in Moldova

1:09:25 - Summary

• The Wagner Group: The World’s Most Infamous PMC
• The KSSO: Russia’s Special Operations Command
• CIA Special Activities Center: The Third Option
• MARSOC Marine Raiders: Always Faithful, Always Forward
• SCO19: The ‘Trojans’ of London

• Episode 17: Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare, an Intelligence perspective
• Episode 18: Call of Duty Modern Warfare, an Intelligence Perspective (Pt. 2)
• Episode 19: Call of Duty Modern Warfare, an Intelligence Perspective (Pt. 3)

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Welcome to the Grey Dynamics Intelligence School (GDIS). In this special podcast, we provide an all-encompassing look at our unique approach to intelligence training, discussing our origin story, course structure, and future vision.

Recognising a gap in existing intelligence training – a disconnect between academic studies and on-the-job experiences – we founded GDIS. Our mission? To bridge this gap and offer an effective transition from theoretical knowledge to practical intelligence work.

The heart of our intelligence training is a series of six crucial modules, each addressing a distinct phase of the intelligence cycle:

• Intelligence Fundamentals
• Intelligence Direction Fundamentals
• Intelligence Collection Fundamentals
• Intelligence Processing Fundamentals
• Intelligence Analysis Fundamentals
• Intelligence Dissemination Fundamentals

Our podcast also offers a glimpse into the future, revealing our plans for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of our intelligence training program. These upcoming phases will introduce specialised and advanced modules, deepening our intelligence training further. To ensure quality training, we limit our student intake to 100 per cohort (for the whole bundle and each 2/3 months), maintaining a focus on personalised attention and mentorship.

Despite the comprehensive nature of our intelligence training, the courses are around $200/$250 per course. While the bundle is economically priced between $1000 and $1250. We will continuously update and refine our courses to stay current with the industry's evolving landscape, ensuring our students receive up-to-date and relevant intelligence training.

Tune into our latest podcast episode for an exclusive look at how GDIS is reshaping intelligence training. Whether you're a prospective student, potential partner, or an intelligence enthusiast, join us to explore the innovative world of intelligence training.

Timestamps:

0:00 Why we made the course

9:22 The Fundamentals

15:35 Direction

19:24 Collection

21:05 Processing

25:38 Analysis

31:38 Dissemination

34:18 Caveats and FAQ

37:46 Instructors

38:24 Phase Two and Difficulty

40:40 Career prospects

42:57 External courses and instructors

45:37 Marcel’s thoughts

47:40 Who can take this course?

Grey Dynamic Intelligence

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Today we are rounding up the best advice we have had so far in season 2 of the podcast! Advice from professionals from across the industry, whether it be corporate, government, or non-profit, it's all here. Be sure to check out the episodes featured. This is our last episode of season 2, but keep on the look out for bonus episodes over the summer.

• Mike Evans (0:23)
• Benjamin Strick (7:09)
• Skip Schiphorst (9:14)
• Jordan Ponath (13:35)
• Mike Monnik (21:07)
• Paul Scharre (25:02)
• Lucas Webber (30:42)
• Alec Bertina (32:33)
• Jonah Leff (37:22)
• D. (40:44)
• Kelly Wong (42:45)
• Bryan Stern (44:32)

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Today, I spoke to Drew Biemer, a strategic management, and communications professional with over two decades of experience in governmental, public, and civil affairs. Currently serving as the administrator of the Site Evaluation Committee and agency director for Energy Facility Siting, Permitting, Investigation, and Enforcement in the US State of New Hampshire.

His political experience spans campaign management and legislative staffing at the local, state, and federal levels, working with notable figures such as members of Congress, governors, and presidential candidates.

As a frequent panellist and moderator at energy conferences in the US and Africa, Drew shares his expertise in resilience, energy security, stakeholder engagement, land use, politics, and local content. He also has additional experience in executive protection, public safety, information operations, geopolitical risk analysis, and crisis management.

You can find Drew Biemer on:

• LinkedIn

• Drew’s background (1:30)
• Policy campaigns as information operations (3:44)
• Why disrupt an adversary’s energy operation (8:37)
• Load shedding and South African case study (12:02)
• How ESG has impacted US business and policy (17:49)
• How can Western countries successfully partner with other countries going forward? (22:13)
• The western infantilization of African countries (25:34)
• What is the apprehension of nuclear power? (30:47)
• Are there any recurring issues Ahmed finds with his clients, concerning African energy (37:24)
• Career advice (45:40)
• Cultural Recommendations (48:39)

Related Links:

• Corporate Intelligence, Global Risk, & OSINT Tips with Gareth Westwood
• OSINT & SOCMINT for Threat Intelligence with Jordan Ponath
• Warzone Extraction, China vs Taiwan & Project Dynamo with Bryan Stern

The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!

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• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Google Podcast
• Amazon Podcast

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Today, I spoke to Bryan Stern, who has 25 years of service focused on intelligence and special operations with the US. He specializes in counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, hostage rescue, personnel recovery, critical technology protection, and unconventional warfare against near-peer threats. He is a Purple Heart recipient and is credited with being a military first responder at the World Trade Center on the morning of the 9/11 attacks. Currently, he manages Project Dynamo, a non-profit international search, rescue, aid, and assistance organization. Initially established to aid individuals in leaving Afghanistan after the US withdrawal, Project Dynamo has since been involved in extracting people from Ukraine, Sudan, and various other perilous locations.

You can find Project Dynamo on:

• Project Dynamo
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin

• Bryan’s background (0:56)
• Bryan on the focus of near-peer threats (4:40)
• US-China strategy and national focus (7:40)
• Developing US capability to fight near-peer threats (11:26)
• Questioning China’s combat experience (15:06)
• China’s legal claim to Taiwan (17:10)
• Do Americans care about Taiwan? (20:18)
• Project Dynamo and its origins during the withdrawal from Afghanistan (21:15)
• Project Dynamo after Afghanistan (31:57)
• Discussing what human infrastructure is (41:28)
• Project Dynamo in Sudan (49:02)
• Preparing for an evacuation from Taiwan (59:28)
• Advice (1:10:36)
• Being disarming (1:12:04)
• Advice continued (1:15:06)
• Cultural recommendations (1:24:50)

Related Links:

• OSINT, Military Career Transition & Language Skills with Skip Schiphorst
• OSINT & SOCMINT for Threat Intelligence with Jordan Ponath
• Interview with former CIA Officer, Jason L.

The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!

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Today I spoke to D., a former Military Intelligence operator from Australia. He has also worked in law enforcement and is currently doing contracted work. We spoke about his experience transitioning from combat engineer to intelligence operator, his time in Afghanistan, mental health, demystifying HUMINT, getting into OSINT and more.

You can find D. on:

• Instagram

• The reality on the ground in Afghanistan during his deployment (3:08)
• Staying on and changing roles after his first deployment (4:55)
• Transitioning from a combat engineer to intelligence (6:21)
• Lessons learned and experiences on deployment in intelligence (9:42)
• Whether he maintained any relationships from operations (12:31)
• Learning languages (13:43)
• Recognizing burnout and mental health struggles (16:43)
• Starting the.dirtydingo Instagram account (21:46)
• AI and the future of intelligence (27:04)
• Advice to professionals in the industry (29:56)
• Advice for getting started in OSINT (33:35)
• Cultural recommendations (39:07)

• Related Links:

• So, You Want To Be An Intelligence Analyst?
• A Guide to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• OSINT, Military Career Transition & Language Skills with Skip Schiphorst
• OSINT & SOCMINT for Threat Intelligence with Jordan Ponath
• GEOINT, OSINT & Facing Vicarious Trauma with Benjamin Strick
• Former DIA Intelligence Analyst, Marcel Plichta
• Intelligence Led-Policing, OSINT & Facing PTSD with Julie Nel

The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!

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• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Google Podcast
• Amazon Podcast

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Today I spoke to Kelly Wong, a security analyst in the Canadian Senate. She has previously worked for multiple private intelligence firms and has interned at the International Criminal Courts. We discussed the challenges and rewards of working in intelligence, the obstacles ethnic minorities face in the application process, and Kelly's advice for young professionals.

Apologies for the mic quality in this episode.

Disclaimer:

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the Interviewee are solely that of the Interviewee and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of any institution or organisation.

You can find Kelly on:

• LinkedIn

• What working at the ICC was like as an intern (3:00)
• Moving from an international organisation to the private sector (6:13)
• The experience of working away from home (10:09)
• Kelly’s current job at the Senate of Canada (11:09)
• The precautions involved in working with classified material remotely (12:33)
• What working for the Senate of Canada in an intelligence role involves (14:42)
• Canada’s intelligence capability (16:05)
• OSINT and application of investigative mindset in Kelly’s role (17:25)
• What sets Kelly apart from others, professionally (19:46)
• What helped shape Kelly as a person and a professional (22:03)
• How being from an ethnic minority has impacted Kelly’s journey (24:44)
• What’s next for Kelly (28:37)
• What area Kelly would like to work in going forward (29:53)
• Mentoring (31:13)
• Career advice for young / mid career professionals (33:31)
• Cultural recommendations (35:05)
• Kelly’s question about the origins of Grey Dynamics (36:41)
• Kelly’s advice on languages (42:35)
• Final thoughts (46:29)

Related Links:

• So, You Want To Be An Intelligence Analyst?
• A Guide to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• A Guide to Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT)

The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!

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• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Google Podcast
• Amazon Podcast
• 
  
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Today I spoke with Lucas Webber, co-founder of Militant Wire, an organization focused on providing independent analysis of militant activity and armed conflict around the world. We discussed Russia's "White Power Rangers", Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), interviewing violent non-state actors, Lucas' writing process and more.

You can find Lucas on:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Militant Wire

• Lucas’ background and The Militant Wire (0:43)
• What is Lucas currently working on? (06:48)
• The White Power Rangers (7:56)
• Who is ISKP? (10:30)
• ISKP’s media operation (14:51)
• The Taliban and GDI response to ISKP (17:41)
• What makes ISKP so robust? (21:06)
• What does Lucas’ process look like (22:59)
• Where Lucas sources his information (25:36)
• Talking to members of the groups Lucas writes about (27:12)
• Lucas’ structure for researching and writing (27:57)
• Advice for people trying to get into the field (30:50)
• Cultural recommendations (32:33)
• Lucas asks how Grey Dynamics started (33:49)

Related Links:

• Russian Private Military Contractors in Ukraine with Alec Bertina
• Selling Terror Online and Information Warfare with Anna Kruglova
• So, You Want To Be An Intelligence Analyst?
• Cyber Terrorism: The Islamic State in Cyberspace
• IS-K: Undermining the Taliban and Central Asian Security
• Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan: A Situational Assessment

The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Google Podcast
• Amazon Podcast

Subscribe to Grey Dynamics

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