Underground Strategy

Underground Strategy

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.

  1. Helion Talks – Air-to-Air Missiles

    22 JAN

    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. 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 Bill Norton on LinkedIn Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.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

    19 min
  2. Helion Talks – Soldiers and Civilians: Logistics in the British Civil Wars

    25/12/2025

    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 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: Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions: Early Modern Military Logistics and Supply Systems during the British Civil Wars 1638–1653 Glenn Price on X Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.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

    19 min
  3. Helion Talks – Bold in Battle: South African Stories from World War II

    20/11/2025

    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 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 Karen Horn on Instagram Helion & Co: https://www.helion.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helionbooks/ X: https://x.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

    17 min
  4. Helion Talks – Whiskey on the Rocks

    22/10/2025

    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 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/ X: https://x.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

    21 min
  5. Helion Talks – The Road to Helion

    22/10/2025

    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 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/ X: https://x.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

    12 min
  6. Botswana & The BDF with Bafumiki Mocheregwa

    28/09/2025

    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 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

    33 min
  7. Inside Ukraine: Accidental Ukrainians

    21/09/2025

    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 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

    31 min
  8. Operation Boleas: The SANDF’s Trial by Fire

    14/09/2025

    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 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

    55 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Underground Strategy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Underground Strategy
  • Show Website
    Underground Strategy