Jamie Read

About the author

I am a former UK infantry reconnaissance specialist serving worldwide, military advisor to Ukrainian special operations, a former volunteer with the YPG in Syria. Worked many years as a private security contractor in the Middle East and Africa and currently working as an executive protection officer on the UK circuit. Also, I am the owner of the Mercs Corner podcast.

Libyan government: Raids and kidnappings during military surge

Libya, a once-beautiful land on the Mediterranean Sea, has been engaged in conflict since the downfall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The West has a great deal to account for when it comes to their involvement in Libya and the collapse of the Gaddafi regime; they promised the Libyan people freedom and democracy, but they instead received little more […]

A violent start to the year: Mali, the most dangerous UN mission on earth

In the latest attacks against the United Nations mission in the sub-Saharan nation of Mali (MINUSMA), two more blue helmets were killed and one more U.N. peacekeeper was injured in a separate improvised explosive device (IED) blast. The two blue helmets who died in the blast were from Sri Lanka. Several others were injured in […]

Israeli Special Forces to teach Ukrainian Special Forces how to combat Russia

Having worked as a trainer and adviser to the Ukrainian military since 2015, I have seen over the years a noticeable difference in the training, equipment, and the general modernization of the Ukrainian military. Today Ukraine seeks to further enhance its military capabilities by sending its special forces to the Israel Military Industries Academy for […]

Under-equipped and undertrained, will Burkina Faso be the next to fall in the war against Islamist terrorists?

Burkina Faso, a once-peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa, shares a border with Mali—and that’s a problem. Mali has experienced incredible violence and political instability over the years, which continues to pose a significant threat to the entire region. The two countries share a long and relatively unmonitored border, allowing jihadis to conduct cross-border operations whenever they see […]

Analysis: Irish Rangers to deploy to Mali

Ireland will deploy its Special Forces unit, the Army Rangers, to Mali to support U.N. operations within the country. This a positive move for Ireland, as it will deepen ties with Europe and the U.N., and allows the elite Irish units to be truly tested in what is regarded as the most dangerous U.N. mission […]

Taliban bomb attack in Kabul kills 4, wounds more than 100

Another blast, another day in Kabul, Afghanistan. This has become the new normal for the people of Kabul. The blast occurred near the Green Village compound on Monday, January 14, killing at least four people and wounding more than 100, the country’s health ministry has said. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. Green Village, a compound […]

Ambush in Somalia, Kenya Defense Forces inflict losses on al-Shabaab extremists

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) deployed as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) were caught up in a small arms engagement in the southern town of Tabda on New Year’s Day. KDF troops killed seven al-Shabaab militants and wounded an unknown number of fighters in the exchange. The KDF fared better this time […]

Boko Haram’s horrific assault on the village of Molai is not uncommon

Boko Haram’s latest Assault on the village of Molai, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, shows that the terrorist group’s efforts in Nigeria continue to be successful — and there seems to be no end to their horrific actions. On Sunday, the 16th of December, dozens of villages were forced to flee their homes as the terrorist […]

Al Qaeda kidnapping video: France is to blame?

Al Qaeda branch in sub-Saharan Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM, or the “Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims”), has released a new video addressing the families of several of its hostages. Also addressing the French government’s lack of interest in freeing these hostages. JNIM and other groups in the region have for […]