Underground Strategy

In this episode of Underground Strategy, we go full cloak and dagger with British auxiliary units, the country’s secret last line of resistance during WWII. Max and Tony are joined by historian Andrew Chatterton, an expert on Britain’s covert civilian forces, to explore the unsung heroes who were prepared to fight from the shadows if the Nazis invaded. We uncover the origins of these secret units,...

In this episode, Max and Tony are joined by Robert Davidson, a South African author and battlefield guide, to explore the history and significance of the Spioenkop campaign during the Anglo Boer War. Robert shares his lifelong passion for military history, recounting how decades of research culminated in his book on the tragic Spioenkop battle. The discussion highlights the strategic missteps, hum...

In this episode, Max and Tony dive into the myths and realities of hand-to-hand combat. From Hollywood's dramatizations to the harsh realities of the battlefield, they explore how militaries approach close-quarters combat and its role in modern training and operations. The discussion touches on the evolution of techniques like Krav Maga, the importance of mental and physical toughness, and how...

We’re kicking off 2025 with the second part of our discussion with Seán Scullion, active-duty officer, historian, and author of Churchill’s Spaniards . This episode dives deeper into the incredible story of Spanish Republicans who joined the British Army during WWII, continuing their fight against fascism across Europe, North Africa, and beyond. Séan shares powerful accounts of these men’s bravery...

In the final Underground Strategy episode of the year, Max Lauker and Tony Garcia are joined by Séan Scullion—active-duty officer, historian, and author of Churchill’s Spaniards . Séan shares the remarkable story of Spanish Republicans who, after fighting in the Spanish Civil War, joined the British Army during WWII. These men, fighting for freedom and survival, served in the Pioneer Corps, SAS, a...

In this edition of Underground Strategy, Max and Tony bring a festive yet poignant twist to the podcast as they explore the traditions, letters, and unique experiences of military personnel during Christmas. From historical moments like the 1914 Christmas Truce to personal reflections from their own deployments, this episode delves into the resilience and camaraderie that emerge in the most challe...

In this episode, recorded just days before Christmas, Max Lauker and Tony Garcia bring a relaxed yet reflective tone to the Underground Strategy podcast. From holiday traditions to the deep connections between military service, ceremonial duties, and global conflict, this conversation covers a lot of ground. The episode begins with Max and Tony sharing Christmas traditions—from Swedish celebration...

This week on the Underground Strategy Podcast, Max and Tony sit down with Andrew Balaam, a former Selous Scout and veteran of the Rhodesian Bush War. From Andrew’s early life in Southern Rhodesia to his experiences in the legendary Selous Scouts, this episode goes straight into the realities of pseudo-operations, inter-unit rivalries, and life on the frontlines of a conflict that shaped Southern A...

In this UGS Special Edition , we continue our military legends series by exploring General Louis Botha’s transformative journey from wartime commander to statesman. In this episode, Max and Tony discuss Botha’s pivotal role in World War I, including his leadership during the Southwest Africa campaign, the challenges of commanding a divided nation, and the moral complexities of fighting alongside t...

In this week’s episode of Underground Strategy, Max and Tony tackle the evolving dynamics of military recruitment and selection processes, providing a unique perspective shaped by their personal experiences and years of observation. As the holiday season approaches, the duo reflects on the spirit of Christmas creeping into their routines—lights, advent traditions, and thoughts of thoughtful gifts...

In this UGS Special Edition, we continue our military legends series with a focus on General Louis Botha, a towering figure in South African military history and often likened to America’s George Washington. In this episode, Max interviews Tony, who shares insights from his co-authored book, Botha, Smuts and the First World War . They explore Botha’s early life, his rise as a commander during the...

In this episode of the Underground Strategy podcast, we’re joined by military historian and professor Evert Kleynhans from Stellenbosch University. Known for his research on South African military history, Evert walks us through the fascinating and often-overlooked story of German espionage networks in South Africa during WWII. He explains the role of the Ossewabrandwag and shares insights into Sm...

In this fifth and final episode of the Number 788 podcast series, host Des Latham wraps up the journey with Max Lauker, reflecting on the incredible experiences that shaped his life in special operations and intelligence. From the Swedish Arctic Ranger Regiment to covert missions across the globe, Max shares how his career evolved from military operations to a focus on intelligence and beyond. Ret...

In this week’s episode of Underground Strategy , Max and Tony sit down with Alex, also known as Agent Condorito, to explore the militarization of Mexican cartels and their evolving tactics. Alex, an open-source intelligence enthusiast, has been closely monitoring cartels through digital channels, uncovering insights that often go underreported. Alex discusses the rapid transformation of cartels li...

Welcome to Episode 4 of our limited series on Number 788 , hosted and produced by South African media figure Desmond Latham. Desmond, known for his History of South Africa podcast, brings his expertise and narrative skill to this series, guiding listeners through the defining missions and experiences of Max Lauker’s career in Swedish special operations. In this episode, Desmond and Max dive into M...

In this edition of Underground Strategy , Max Lauker and Tony Garcia welcome historian Karen Horn, who brings her extensive research on prisoners of war (POWs) to the podcast. Karen shares insights from her books, In Enemy Hands and Prisoners of Jan Smuts , exploring the lives and experiences of POWs from WWII. Through her detailed research and personal interviews, Karen uncovers stories that reve...

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 t...

Max and Tony are back, tackling a classic debate: are we all carrying too much kit? In this episode, they dig into the question of what’s truly essential versus what might just be extra baggage. From old-school rain gear to today’s “must-have” gadgets, they share insights on how to find the right balance without diving into a laundry list of gear. The conversation might make you rethink that overs...

Welcome back to the second episode of our limited series on the making of Number 788 , hosted and produced by South African media figure Desmond Latham. This in-depth series explores the experiences that led Max Lauker, co-authored with Tony Garcia, to write Number 788: My Experiences in Swedish Special Operations . This episode dives into Max’s journey from early training in the Swedish Armed For...

In this episode of Underground Strategy, we welcome Hex, a former operations officer in the South African Navy with 18 years of specialized experience in electronic warfare, now known as electromagnetic warfare. With a career rooted in cyber and electronic security strategies, Hex has a unique skill set that merges military precision with cutting-edge cybersecurity techniques. After completing his...

We’re thrilled to introduce a new limited series on Underground Strategy—an in-depth exploration into the making and the mind behind Number 788, authored by Max Lauker and co-authored by Tony Garcia. Hosted and produced by South African media figure Desmond Latham, this series offers listeners an inside look at the origins, experiences, and challenges that shaped this compelling story of courage a...

Episode 10: War and Peace with Peter de Clercq In this episode of Underground Strategy , we had the honor of hosting Peter de Clercq, a Dutch diplomat who has spent over 35 years working at the highest levels of the United Nations, including as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). His extensive experience includes work...

Episode 9: Military Logistics – The Backbone of Warfare In this episode of Underground Strategy , Max Lauker and Tony Garcia take a deep dive into one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, aspects of military success: logistics. As the saying goes, "Amateurs talk tactics, but professionals talk logistics." Throughout history, the ability to keep armies supplied has been the differe...

In this episode of Underground Strategy, Max Lauker and Tony Garcia take a closer look at Private Military Companies (PMCs)—the organizations providing military services ranging from logistical support to armed security. As modern warfare evolves, PMCs have become a powerful and controversial force in global conflicts. Max and Tony explore the advantages, challenges, and ethical dilemmas surroundi...

Cold. Brutal. Unforgiving. Winter changes everything in war. From historical battles to personal experiences, we break down what makes winter warfare so uniquely challenging. How do freezing conditions impact soldiers, strategy, and equipment? What have armies throughout history done to survive and fight in extreme cold? And most importantly—will Max finally get the name of NATO’s new Secretary Ge...