Today we spoke with Héni Nsaibia, the man behind Menastream. Héni is among the most knowledgeable people online regarding the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. He is also a senior researcher at ACLED. We discussed his background, the situation in the region, and the key external actors.You can find Héni Nsaibia on:MenastreamACLEDWe spoke aboutHéni's background (0:53)Growing Menastream (11:11)Overview of the current situation in the Sahel (13:41)Malian government's newfound lethality with Russian support (22:36)The trajectory of Burkina Faso (26:24)Wagner's business model in Africa (29:19)The trajectory of Niger (31:13)The situation in Chad (36:55)How Mauritania has remained unscathed (41:51)The UN Missions in Mali and Niger (46:44)The US contribution to the region (49:06)12 months outlook (52:51)Cultural recommendations (1:03:52)Related Links:Mali 2023 ForecastBurkina Faso 2023 ForecastRussia Sahel 2023 ForecastNiger 2023 ForecastChad 2023 ForecastMauritania 2023 ForecastFrance Sahel 2023 ForecastEuropean Union Sahel 2023 Forecast The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I spoke with Mike Evans, head of intelligence at Securitas. Mike has been working in the private intelligence sector for nearly a decade, now leading an award-winning threat and intelligence service. He also has an intelligence background within the military. In this episode, we dive into topics such as the rise of AI, getting into the industry for young analysts, and what keeps us up at night.You can find Mike Evans on:LinkedInTwitterWe spoke aboutMike's background (00:54)Mike's team set up and capabilities (03:28)Sharing information for the greater good in the private sector (07:21)How military intelligence shaped Mike's thinking (10:23)How an intelligence manager can make an impact (14:10)How to deal with things when they go wrong (19:33)ChatGPT and its role in intelligence (21:33)Creating a reliable and motivated sensor network (24:50)Incoming trends to look out for (29:24)Opening the door to more people for a career in intelligence (30:44)Intelligence misconceptions (33:49)Career advice (40:24)What does Mike look for in young analysts (46:08)Cultural recommendations (47:21)What keeps Ahmed up at night (52:19)Related Links:What is an Intelligence Analyst?So, You Want to be an Intelligence Analyst?Expert Advice For Getting Into IntelligenceIntelligence-Led Policing, OSINT and Facing PTSD with Julie NelCorporate Intelligence, Global Risk and OSINT Tips with Gareth WestwoodSkills I never knew I would need as an Intelligence AnalystThe Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I caught up with Marcel Plichta. He is a PhD candidate at St. Andrews, Ex-DIA Analyst and a colleague. We discussed the details of the upcoming Grey Dynamics Intelligence course, some recent events, and what we have been into recently. You can find Marcel Plichta on:Grey DynamicsLinkedInTwitterDaily BeastWe spoke aboutUpdate on Wagner Group (0:50)Sahel Week (9:02)Chinese Spy Balloon (15:41)Russian & Iranian Spearfishing (19:00)The Earthquake in Türkiye & Syria (22:32)Details of the Grey Dynamics Training / Capability Development Program (25:15)Underestimation of the spread of technology in Africa (31:15)Useful Tools (35:34)Cultural Recommendations (40:09)Related Links:HDX Humanitarian Data ExchangeKahneman Daniel: Thinking, Fast & SlowWhat is an Intelligence Analyst?So, You Want to be an Intelligence Analyst?Expert Advice For Getting Into IntelligenceThe Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I spoke to Benjamin Strick, director of investigations at the Centre for Information Resilience. He leads teams using open source intelligence to support civil society, media, government and accountability mechanisms. He is also a Bellingcat contributor and previously worked as an investigator at BBC Africa Eye.You can find Benjamin Strick on:Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube FacebookWe spoke aboutBenjamin's background (2:46) Investigative diligence and the power of collaboration in OSINT (6:02) Mapping complex situations (7:52) Benjamin's most fulfilling project (12:13) Adding value and being a specialist (15:20) Generalists versus Specialists (19:19) Facing vicarious trauma (25:14) Why he does OSINT tutorials on YouTube (32:45) Digital literacy (35:48) Tools and advice (42:17) Advice on training (46:51) The importance of being to write for intelligence (49:35) What media Benjamin is consuming at the moment (53:16)Related Articles: What is an Intelligence Analyst? So, You Want to be an Intelligence Analyst? Expert Advice For Getting Into IntelligenceResources on Vicarious Trauma: How to Maintain Mental Hygiene as an Open Source Researcher Vicarious trauma and OSINT — a practical guideThe Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTube Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back for season two of the Grey Dynamics Podcast! We're kicking things off by talking to Chinese and Arabic OSINT trainer, Skip Schiphorst. Skip is an ex-Dutch Royal Marine who went onto do Chinese studies and now teaches OSINT skills.You can find Skip Schiphorst on:Twitter LinkedInWe spoke aboutSkip's background (1:08) Language learning tips and tricks (20:06) The social importance of learning a language (30:07) Teaching a Chinese and Arabic OSINT course (39:44) Researching workshop (44:55) Understanding different national perspectives (47:43) The importance of analysis and critical thinking (54:40) What media Skip is consuming at the moment (59:08) Advice (1:02:25)Related Articles: What is an Intelligence Analyst? So, You Want to be an Intelligence Analyst?The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTube Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 3 of our series analyzing the Call of Duty series from an intelligence perspective. In this episode we look at 2011's Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, the most extravagant game yet. Storming Wallstreet, assaulting a hotel in Dubai, shootouts on the London Underground, and a chase through the Catacombs of Paris. It has it all.You can find Marcel Plichta on:TwitterGrey DynamicsLinkedInYou can find Michael Ellmer on:Grey DynamicsLinkedInTwitterWe spoke aboutFailing as a grey man in Amsterdam.Russian Spetsnaz in India.The Russian Navy in New York.Illicit trade routes through Sierra Leone.SAS shootout on the London Underground.Chemical weapons.Mid-flight plane hijacking.Call of Duty's portrayal of Somalia.War in Europe and much more.Related Articles:The KSSO: Russia's Special Operations CommandDelta Force: Sine Pari WarriorsDEVGRU: Also Known as Seal Team 6The Increment: The UK's Most Secretive Special Forces UnitSCO19: The 'Trojans' of LondonGIGN: The Hostage Rescue Primacy of the Gendarmerie Intervention GroupThe Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!SpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of our series analysing the Call of Duty series from an intelligence perspective. This episode we look at 2009's Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. We travel the world from Afghanistan, to Brazil to the Virginia suburbs. Encountering Far Right Terrorists, Gun Runners, Spetsnaz and PMCs.You can find Marcel Plichta on:Twitter Grey Dynamics LinkedInYou can find Michael Ellmer on: Grey Dynamics LinkedIn TwitterWe spoke aboutRangers in Afghanistan. CIA Recruitment and Deep Cover. James Bond level spectacle. How realistic is the "No Russian" mission? Russian in the Virginia suburbs. Evil PMCs. Russian gear and the Ratnik Program. Perspectives in conflicts and their portrayal in propaganda. The pain of using a real Javelin.Related Articles: The Regimental Reconnaissance Company: Hidden Eyes of the Rangers CIA Special Activities Center: The Third Option The KSSO: Russia's Special Operations Command Ratnik: Russia's Modern Warrior Program PMCs: The Future Frontier of Warfare in Afghanistan?The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon PodcastSubscribe to Grey Dynamics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we're not with family, some of us at Grey Dynamics are spending the holiday break playing the new Modern Warfare! As a bonus for the holidays, we decided to record some episodes looking at the franchise's realism. In this first episode, we will take a look at the granddaddy of modern shooters, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.You can find Marcel Plichta on:Twitter Grey Dynamics LinkedInYou can find Michael Ellmer on: Grey Dynamics LinkedInWe spoke aboutRealism in the series. Special Air Service (SAS). Where is JSOC? The consequences of nukes in the Middle East. Russian Civil War. Ghillie Suits. AC-130. Psyops.Related Articles: 160th SOAR (A): Night Stalkers Marine Force Reconnaissance Marine Raiders AC-130 GunshipThe Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I spoke with Rory Cormac, an international relations lecturer at the University of Nottingham. He specialises in UK covert action and has written six books on the matter. Including his latest "How To Stage A Coup and ten other lessons from the world of secret statecraft".You can find Rory Cormac on:TwitterUniversity of NottinghamWe spoke aboutThoughts on the recent German coup attempt.Do coups work?The difference between UK & US intelligence culture.Staying away from conspiratorial mindsets.Foreign espionage in UK academia.The royal family and their relationship to UK intelligence.Intended consequences of covert action.Learning from failures.The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!SpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I thought we would round up some of the best advice from our guests so far on the podcast. If you would like to check out further advice, here is Marcel Plichta's article on becoming an Intelligence Analyst. You can also find the links to the individual podcasts featured in this episode below.We spoke toJason L. spoke about being impartial, learning a language, writing for intelligence and more.Jack Margolin spoke about having a sense of purpose and finding your niche.Julie Nel spoke about problem-solving mindsets, constantly learning and not relying only on technology.Dave Luke spoke about finding a mentor, forming the right attitude, understanding what you can offer and more.Marcel Plichta spoke about critical thinking in the age of social media.Gareth Westwood spoke about understanding how you best consume information, demonstrating skills, the value of public sector work and more.The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!SpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.