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Guns for Hire

Atlantic Council
Syria
Wagner Group
Gaza
Private Military Contractors
Bashar Al-Assad
United States
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
CIA
US Involvement
Democratic Republic Of Congo
Turkish Private Military Companies
Islamic State
HTS
Ceasefire Deal
M23
American Pmcs
Russia
ISIS
Romanian Mercenaries
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

The Guns for Hire podcast is a production of the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative. Taking Libya as its starting point, it explores the causes and implications of the growing use of mercenaries in armed conflict. The podcast features guests from many walks of life, from ethicists and historians to former mercenary fighters. It seeks to understand what the normalisation of private warfare ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes24Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScience

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Latest Episodes

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Alia is joined by the Iraqi political analyst Mohammed Salih to discuss the legion of Iraqi men turning up on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. They explore how poverty and political dysfunction in Iraq have been weaponi... more

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Alia is joined by John Lechner to discuss his new book, Death is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare. They chat about the Wagner Group’s soft power strategy in Africa including films and beau... more

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In this emergency episode, Alia is joined by the international human rights lawyer and former senior UN official, Craig Mokhiber. They discuss a new, controversial mechanism for the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza – wit... more

Send Alia a Text Message

Host Alia Brahimi is joined on the podcast by the African politics and security expert Ben Shepherd. After 300 Romanian mercenaries were cornered by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo in January, Ben reflects on ... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Mohammed Saleh
Leading Iraqi political analyst and non-resident senior fellow in the National Security Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Episode: “Youth as merchandise”: Iraqi mercenaries in Ukraine
John Lechner
Journalist and independent researcher, author of 'Death is Our Business'
Episode: Death is our business
Craig Mokhiber
Former UN human rights official who served for over 30 years, known for his leaked resignation letter condemning the worsening human rights situation in Gaza.
Formerly UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Episode: "Yes, really": American PMCs (back) in Gaza
Ben Shepherd
Leading Africa specialist focused on African politics and conflict
Fellow at Africa Programme, Chatham House
Episode: "Do not come for adventure here": Mercenaries in DRC
Dr. Andreas Krieg
Senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: “No, really”: American PMCs in Gaza
David McCloskey
Former CIA analyst and author, known for his novels about Syria and Middle Eastern politics
Episode: A mercenary client collapses

Host

Dr. Alia Brahimi
Host with insights into the geopolitical implications of mercenary warfare, leveraging her expertise from Atlantic Council's North Africa Initiative.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 29 ratings
  • I was a Blackwater mercenary in Iraq

    What a great episode - fascinating perspective from Morgan, very gently and very effectively challenged by Alia. My favourite one so far. The honesty and straightforwardness of the perspective offered is very compelling, but so are the comebacks, which Alia delivers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hceeare
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Hugely interesting

    Interesting, relevant, erudite, calmly and stylishly done. Other academics tend to make this a very dry subject but it’s brought to life very effectively. Bravo.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hceeare
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Hugely interesting

    Interesting, relevant, erudite, calmly and stylishly done. This could have been a very dry subject but it’s brought to life very effectively. Bravo.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hceeare
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Sean Mcfate

    I learn so much from Atlantic Council. Guns for hire is a great addition and the practical/ knowledgeable insights Sean brings are invaluable.

    His experience and intelligence show through in spades.

    Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DadeMurphy
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the balanced and engaging discussions that bring complex geopolitical issues to life.
The quality of expertise among guests enhances the educational value of each episode, making it a rich resource for understanding modern warfare.
Reviews highlight the podcast's ability to tackle serious subjects without losing accessibility, maintaining listener engagement throughout.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“Youth as merchandise”: Iraqi mercenaries in Ukraine
Q: So, do you see this chasm just continuing to grow? And how do you envisage that all of this is going to culminate?
The political system in Iraq is grappling with a loss of legitimacy, leading to declining voter turnout and a significant disillusionment among citizens.
“Youth as merchandise”: Iraqi mercenaries in Ukraine
Q: Does the militia environment in Iraq kind of prime them for this kind of pathway? Why Iraqis specifically?
Iraq has a history of conflict that normalizes violence, making this a perceived option for young people. The presence of militias contributes to recruitment.
“Youth as merchandise”: Iraqi mercenaries in Ukraine
Q: What's your understanding of the numbers and how is it that so many Iraqis have ended up on the front lines of war in Europe?
There is a lack of transparency and credible information, but estimates suggest 5,000 Iraqis may be involved, with many drawn by offers of money and prospects.
"Yes, really": American PMCs (back) in Gaza
Q: Is this now aid as a tool of war?
Mokhiber argues that it represents a militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism, as aid is being weaponized in the context of the Israeli campaign against Palestinians.
"Yes, really": American PMCs (back) in Gaza
Q: Are the Foundation's activities also potentially illegal under international law?
Yes, the activities of the PMCs are unlawful due to their involvement in the Israeli occupation of Gaza, which is recognized as illegal by the International Court of Justice.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Guns for Hire

What is Guns for Hire about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersection of conflict, power dynamics, and the evolving role of mercenaries, the content is characterized by in-depth discussions with experts across various fields including political analysts, authors, and humanitarian advocates. Common themes include the implications of private military contractors in global conflicts, particularly in regions such as Iraq, Syria, and Gaza, and the ethical considerations surrounding their deployment in humanitarian efforts. The approach is analytical yet accessible, aiming to demystify complex geopolitical issues and provide insights into the changing nature of warfare and international relations.

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Which podcasts are similar to Guns for Hire?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Guns for Hire:

1. Defense One Radio
2. The Rest Is Classified
3. The Slow Newscast

How many episodes of Guns for Hire are there?

Guns for Hire launched 3 years ago and published 24 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Guns for Hire?

Recent guests on Guns for Hire include:

1. Dr. Mohammed Saleh
2. John Lechner
3. Craig Mokhiber
4. Ben Shepherd
5. Dr. Andreas Krieg
6. David McCloskey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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