MERC WORKS PODCAST

Today we are joined by Alan Chiasson and Edward Ford, co-authors of "Postcards Through Hell", which documents the exploits of a team of private security contractors who are recruited to Afghanistan, working high-risk contracts for SOC (Special Operations Consulting) delivering supplies and most importantly, the U.S. Mail. www.mercworkspodcast.creator-spring.com for Merc Works Podcast t-shirts.

Operation Gideon, a failed coup attempt that began on or around May 3, 2020, which consisted of an attempted seaborne insertion of foreign mercenaries near the city of Vargas to “capture/detain/remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.”  This is a wild story involving former USA Green Berets, Silvercorp USA, Colombian based  mercenary training camps, Venezuelan military and political exiles, and allegations of foreknowledge by theTrump administration. It’s a story straight out of a Fredrick Forsythe novel. 

In this episode, we speak with Tim Foley, a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of Arizona Border Recon. Tim discusses how his team conducts intelligence gathering and reconnaissance on Mexican cartel activity along the United States–Mexico border, specifically in Arizona.Foley explains the origins of Arizona Border Recon, how the group monitors cartel movements in remote desert areas, and the challenges posed by smuggling routes used by criminal organizations. We also discuss what his team observes on the ground, how they document activity, and the broader debate around border security, citizen involvement, and cartel influence in the region.

Today’s guest is Evan Ratliff, an American journalist, author, and podcast host known for his deep investigative reporting. Ratliff has contributed to major publications including Wired, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The New Yorker. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Mastermind and has hosted several podcasts, including Shell Game.His book explores the extraordinary story of Paul Calder Le Roux, born December 24, 1972—a former programmer who went on to become a powerful businessman and international criminal cartel boss before eventually becoming an informant for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.Show Sponsors:www.knuckledraggershair.comwww.buckleytraditions.comContact us on IG @Merc_Works_Podcast and X @mercworkspod. Email: [email protected] available on YouTube @MercWorksPodcast.

It's Morgan Lerette's third appearance on Merc Works Podcast. He shares his insight on PMC activities taking place across Haiti, Gaza, DRC, and Ukraine. @BlackWaterDude1@Private_Military_News

Today we speak with Soldier of Fortune Magazine contributor and U.S. Army veteran Heath Hansen. Heath details his work writing about Mexico cartel activity on the U.S./Mexico border.Show sponsors: www.buckleytraditions.com and www.knuckledraggershair.comIG: @merc_works_podcastX: @mercworkspod

We discuss the many wars of Fredrick Russell Burnham with Steve Kemper, the author of "A Splendid Savage." https://www.stevekemper.net/Show sponsors: https://www.buckleytraditions.comhttps://knuckledraggershair.com

Today, we hear a retelling of the adventures of Mike Hoare from his son, Chris Hoare, author of Mad Mike Hoare, The Legend. These exploits span his service in Burma and India during World War II, his leadership of mercenary units during the Congo Crisis, and his involvement in a coup attempt in the Seychelles.Links to the book are listed below:http://www.madmikehoare.com/https://books2read.com/MadMikeHoare

For episode 019 we speak with Soldier of Fortune Magazine's owner and editor, Susan Katz-Keating. We discuss the origin of SOF Magazine and where it is headed.www.sofmag.comFacebook: Soldier of Fortune MagazineX: @sofmagpublisherShow sponsors: www.buckleytraditions.com and knuckledraggershair.comIG: @merc_works_podcastX: @mercworkspod

Today we are joined by Dagen Van Oosten, a former USMC Scout Sniper, CIA contractor, co-founder of Nomadic Research and founder of Ten22Fifty.Show sponsors: www.buckleytraditions.com and www.knuckledraggershair.comIG @merc_works_podcastX @mercworkspod

We discuss the whereabouts of Troy Hargett after he joined the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine in 2024. Any information about Troy can be forwarded to [email protected] @merc_works_podcastX @mercworkspodShow sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.com

"I could never work at a bank because I would rob it." For episode 15 we discuss the complicated life of Ross Roggio, an arms dealer, grifter, U.S. Army veteran, and convicted torturer.Sponsored by www.buckleytraditions.com

Episode 016 is with Gregory Michael Budd, the author of "Sunday, Bloody Sunday: A Soldier's War in Northern Ireland, Rhodesia, Mozambique, and Iraq." Budd tells the amazing story of his friend Jake Harper-Ronald, who served in the military and intelligence services of multiple nations to include PMC work as well. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" can be purchased at Amazon.com and https://genius.genus/rtz4rInstagram @merc_works_podcastX @[email protected]

We speak with Macer Gifford, the author or "Fighting Evil." He's a former UK currency trader, who joined the Kurdish YPG in Syria to fight ISIS, and later joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a foreign volunteer.Macer can be reached on X: @macergiffordShow sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.comIG: @merc_works_podcastX: @mercworkspod

X: @mercworkspodIG: @merc_works_podcast

Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.comX: @mercworkspodIG: @Merc_works_podcast

Today we discuss the life and legal woes of former USMC fighter pilot and former U.S. citizen Daniel Duggan. Duggan is accused of providing military training to a foreign adversary and is fighting extradition to the U.S. from Australia. Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.comX: @mercworkspodIG: @merc_works_podcast

Today we speak with writer, journalist, and teacher, Johnny Dwyer, the author of "American Warlord," which details the relationship between former Liberian President Charles Taylor and his son, turned convicted torturer, Chucky Taylor. Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.comJohnny Dwyer can be reached at www.johnnydwyer.netX: @mercworkspodIG: @merc_works_podcast

We speak with Morgan Lerette, a former U.S. Army Intelligence officer, Blackwater mercenary, and author of "Guns, Girls, and Greed, I was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq."Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.com

In this episode we'll detail the life of U.S. citizen William Morgan who reinvented himself and fought on behalf of the Cuban Revolution, ultimately paying a high price for his service.This episode is sponsored by www.buckleytraditions.comX: @mercworkspodIG: @merc_works_podcast

Today we speak with John Lechner, the author of "Death Is Our Business," which details the rise and fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner throughout the world.

During this episode we discuss the humble upbringing of former US Marine Jacques Yves Sebastien Duroseau, and his attempt to smuggle weapons into Haiti to train security forces and ultimately become president. Maybe he was on to something.

We speak with Penny Idema, the widow of infamous mercenary, Green Beret, bullshit artist, felon, bounty-hunter Jack Idema.Links Penny's content: https://www.youtube.com/@penniidema8586Show sponsor:www.buckleytraditions.comMerc Works:X: @mercworkspodIG: @merc_works_podcast

Morgan Lerette, U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, Blackwater Mercenary and author of "Guns, Girls, & Greed" explains the role of venture capitalism in private military company's.Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.com

Today we speak with former Air America Captain Neil Hansen about his adventures of flying for the Central Intelligence Agency's Air America in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era.Show sponsor: www.buckleytraditions.comReach out to Capt. Neil Hansen at Facebook's Air America Historical Society.IG: @merc_works_podcastX: @mercworkspodEmail: [email protected]

"He who rides the tiger's back will end up inside." Winston Churchill. Today we recount the story of Russell "Texas" Bentley's mercenary work in the Donetsk People's Republic during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. X: @mercworkspodIG: @[email protected]

Today we are speaking with "B." A U.S. citizen who has been living in Israel since 2017. He's part of a special forces unit called "Sayert Givati." He has completed deployments to the West Bank and Gaza.