Welcome to the Global Recon Podcast! Hosted by John Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks sits down with American Intelligence professionals, and American Special Operations personnel to discuss a wide variety of subjects. These topics include historical events, current events, medicine, and geopolitics. Enjoy.
Former CIA analyst Sarah Adams unveils the truth behind the 2012 Benghazi attack, providing a detailed account of the events and their implications. With a focus on transparency, Adams exposes the political controversy surrounding the attack and the failure to enact proper security measures. Her firsthand perspective and dedication to uncovering the truth make this podcast a must-listen for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the tragedy and its lasting impact. Main Takeaways CIA Targeting Working in Africa Benghazi Russia in Africa China Follow Sarah Adams on social media:…
For this week's podcast, our guest is a former KGB Officer. Jack Barsky reveals his gripping story from the Cold War era. This episode takes you on a thrilling journey through the clandestine operations of the KGB, exposing the deception, sacrifice, and personal dilemmas faced by those caught in the web of espionage. From Mitrokhin's defection and role as the guardian of KGB's top-secret archives to Barsky's struggle between two worlds, this podcast offers unprecedented insights into the complexities of loyalty and the human toll of espionage. Jack gives his insights on the Ukraine conflict…
Host John Hendricks engages in a captivating conversation with Hrulf, a frontline source with firsthand experiences in the Ukrainian conflict. From the peaceful coexistence in Eastern Ukraine to the deliberate spread of misinformation, the podcast uncovers the complexities of the crisis. The involvement of international soldiers and the role of the Norman Brigade provide a compelling narrative of unity against Russian aggression. This thought-provoking discussion offers listeners a unique and insightful perspective on the Ukrainian conflict, challenging their understanding of the situation…
Former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke discusses his gripping new book, sharing a gritty and authentic portrayal of his protagonist's journey with host John Hendricks, drawing inspiration from real-life tragedies. Remi uncovers the hidden truths behind organ harvesting. They delve into the complexities of these criminal networks, revealing their sophistication and the shocking statistics surrounding the illegal trade of organs. This thought-provoking episode uncovers the dark realities that often remain hidden from the public eye, shedding light on the importance of exposing these atrocities. Main…
Together with Nick Seedman, we on the Global Recon podcast, chart a course for our listeners through the entangled universe of geopolitics, personal metamorphosis, and the arduous fight against sex trafficking. Through candid dialogue and fresh perspectives, we shake up prevailing narratives, dig into the motives behind worldwide interventions, and spotlight the powerful ripples of transformative experiences. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on lesser-known aspects of military operations and make a strong case for advancing regenerative medicine, inviting our audience to ponder the…
Former Australian SAS Trooper Nick Seedman shares his remarkable journey of sacrifice, resilience, and determination. Through his candid and harrowing accounts, we gain a deeper understanding of the physical and mental challenges faced by Special Forces and the impacts of war. Seedman's story is a testament to the unwavering spirit of those who put their lives on the line for their country, and his insights into the complexities of decision-making in combat zones are both illuminating and inspiring. This podcast is a must-listen. Main Takeaways Transitioning from the Navy to the Army Making…
In this podcast episode, Jennifer Cafarella, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), discusses her expertise in Syria and counter-ISIS work. The ISW focused on Syria. Over time they expanded their Russia program, recognizing Putin's intervention in Syria as part of his global strategy. ISW provides support to educate civilian leaders on military force usage. They also train and advise senior military commanders while fostering young national security talent. The podcast highlights the attempted coup by Progozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and the…
We sit down with best-selling author and former senior writer for Army Times, Sean Naylor, to discuss his experiences covering conflicts in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Naylor shares stories of meeting with Hamid Karzai and embedding with various military units, including special forces and cavalry squadrons. He also talks about the challenges of reporting on a secret organization like Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which he wrote about in his book "Relentless Strike." Naylor's insight into these complex topics creates an informative and captivating conversation. Main…
Former Air Force Brigade General John Teichert shares his insights on US-China relations, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict in Ukraine. Teichert expresses concern over China's predatory policies and practices, discussing how their unrestricted warfare aims to destroy the international world order. He also shares his thoughts on the long-term commitment of the West to Ukraine through the donation of F-16s and the allies' and partners' solidarity throughout the conflict. Teichert's valuable insights provide a thought-provoking perspective on global affairs. Main Takeaways Becoming…
Francis Racioppi, the host of the Jedburgh podcast, is joining me for this week's episode. Francis, a former Green Beret and infantry officer, served multiple tours to Iraq and Africa. Through discussing the complexities of the conflict in Iraq and leading men on the battlefield, Francis gives excellent insight into the bigger picture. He spent time in Africa looking at different forces and assessing what groups could be turned into special operations units to combat radical terrorism on the continent—founder of FRsix, where he advises businesses and leaders seeking to improve themselves,…
We hear the story of Nick Jones, a retired Marine Raider and recipient of the Navy Cross, for his bravery. Jones shares his experience serving in Afghanistan in the infantry and later in Iraq as part of the Marine Special Operations, where he engaged in direct combat against ISIS. He also discusses the toll that special operations can take on family life and the importance of supporting veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Jones's story is both inspiring and eye-opening, providing listeners with a glimpse into the dedication and sacrifice required of those who serve in…
The Prime Minister in exile of East Turkestan, Salih Hudayar, is joining me for this week's podcast. East Turkestan is the homeland of the Uyghur Muslims. Hudayar shares his personal story of growing up in East Turkestan and his family's experience with political persecution. He discusses the Chinese government's mass internment and genocidal campaign targeting Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkish peoples, including forced assimilation, concentration camps, slave labor, sterilization, and indoctrination of children. Hudayar emphasizes the importance of the international community taking…
My friend Dave Nielsen, a former Army Ranger and Delta Force Operator is back on the podcast. Dave co-hosts a brand new show called the Christology Podcast. After leaving the Army, he got a theology and biblical studies degree. We discussed the difficulty of Delta's selection and how his experience in dealing with adversity growing up in Detroit helped him make it through. Dave talked about the culture of servant leadership at Delta Force which plays a crucial role in the unit's success. We touched on his time as a dog handler and his dog Pepper. There are many nuances of operating in a…
Former Marine Major Fred Galvin discusses the exoneration of the MARSOC Seven, who was falsely accused of killing civilians in Afghanistan. He sheds light on the flaws in the military justice system and the need for accountability among the Major Generals. He also discusses the ongoing legal battle of the MARSOC Three. Galvin expresses concern about the state of the military and the potential conflict with China over Taiwan, highlighting the need for strong leadership. With insightful commentary on current issues within and the military world, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone…
Army veteran and founder of Geo Owl, Nick Smith, discusses the growing importance of geospatial intelligence across various industries, including healthcare, farming, and elite intelligence operations. However, using geospatial intelligence also raises national security concerns, particularly regarding China's capacity, capability, and reach for stealing technology. Smith argues that economic warfare might be the actual version of World War Three, and cutting off access to the US market could lead to conflict with China. The podcast delves into the potential risks of allowing Chinese…
Former Combat Controller and author Dan Schilling shares stories of the bravery and dedication of America's Special Operations forces, highlighting the relatively unknown community of Airforce Combat Controllers. These individuals are among the most versatile in Special Ops and have a unique dual role as both lethal individuals on the battlefield and humanitarian responders in times of crisis. We discussed the story of Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman a Combat Controller who inserted with a small element of SEALs from DEVGRU into an enemy camp to retrieve SEAL Neil Roberts. Through a…
I sat down with Rick Hogg, a Special Operations combat veteran who served 29 years in the US Army and operates a training company called "War Hogg Tactical." Rick spent time in the infantry before assessing and being selected for Army Special Forces. Rick would deploy into combat 13 times working in various roles, including handling K-9s. His final deployments were to counter ISIS terrorists in Iraq. Spending that much time in combat arms takes a mental and physical toll on a human being, and Rick advises current operators on dealing with some of these challenges. We discussed Master…
We hear from a former CIA officer, Douglas London, who spent over 30 years working for the organization. London's growing up in the Bronx, gave him the street smarts necessary for specific roles in the government. We learn about the rigorous training pipeline for case officers and how the agency shifted focus after 9/11. London provides fascinating insights into the internal workings of the CIA, the sacrifices made by its officers, and the challenges and adversities they face in their work. We discussed the importance of Open Source Intelligence Techniques (OSINT). This podcast offers a…
GRP 176-It is better to be on the move than being still: A Conversation with Sandra Eira A Sami Native At War In Ukraine Sandra Eira, a Norweigan Sami native and volunteer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is my guest for this week's podcast. She worked as a fisherman in the Barents Sea for ten years which is among the most dangerous professions in the world, before serving on the Sami Parliament in northern Norway. During her four years in the Parliament, she studied for a career as a health professional. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she immediately traveled to Kyiv to join…
GRP 175-Inside the War Against ISIS: A Soldiers Journey From The Italian Military To A Kurdish Special Unit We hear from Alex Pineschi, a veteran of the Italian Mountain Troop who served a Kurdish Special Unit and spent five years fighting ISIS in Iraq. Pineschi worked counter-piracy operations in Africa as a security contractor before traveling to Iraq to help train troops in their fight against ISIS. He would eventually join a newly formed Special Operations unit and participate in several major battles, including the first phase to retake Mosul. This podcast provides a unique and…
Greg Shaffer, an author and retired FBI agent is joining me for this week's podcast. Shaffer spent ten years in the Coast Guard and twenty years at the FBI, working in various roles. He served as an Operator at the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), conducting operations around the globe. He spent several years working on a joint task force in a counter-terrorism role. Shaffer finished his career coordinating security for major sporting events in the Dallas, Texas, area. We discussed his time working on the D.C Sniper case in 2002, where HRT Operators arrested the perpetrators. Shaffer explains why…
Joining me for this week's podcast is a veteran foreign correspondent and author of First Casualty: The Untold Story Of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 Toby Harnden. Harnden is a Royal Navy Veteran from the United Kingdom and has spent years covering wars in conflict zones worldwide. We discussed his journalism career, and he cut his teeth in Northern Ireland, covering the conflict there. He's also spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq. The initial American response to the 9/11 attacks was a secret eight-man CIA squad called Team Alpha. Team Alpha rode into battle on horseback alongside the…
oining me for this week's podcast is recently retired Australian SASR Operator Andrew White. White served for nearly 30 years in two different armies. He began his career in the British infantry with deployments to various areas of the world. White was part of the initial invasion of Iraq and would deploy there three times. Due to an issue with his command after his third deployment to Iraq, he transferred to the Australian Army. He passed selection into the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, where he spent the remainder of his career with multiple combat deployments. White was on the…
Joining me for this week's podcast is retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gregory Coker. Coker wrote the book "Death Waits in the Dark: Six Guns Don't Miss!" and has donated 100% of the profits to organizations that support veterans. He flew helicopters in the Army for over 20 years and spent 15 of those years in the world's most elite helicopter unit, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He flew the MH-6 Little Bird, an attack helicopter with thousands of hours spent flying in and out of combat. Coker was shot down in Iraq, supporting an assault force during a daytime operation. He…
Retired Army Special Missions Sergeant Major Erick Miyares is joining me for this week's podcast. SGM Miyares's family immigrated from Cuba to Florida, where he lived until joining the Marine Corps and served for six years. He transitioned into the Army, serving as a Signals expert in the 7th Special Forces Group. He was shot during a deployment to Ecuador in the late 90s. After recovering, Sergeant Major Miyares tried for and got selected to serve in the Army's Special Missions Unit, where he stayed for 20 years. We discussed working with the SEALs, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and…
Joining me for this week's podcast is Marine Corps veteran Nick Laidlaw. Laidlaw spent seven years in the Marine Corps as an 0311 Rifleman and Security Forces Marine. He wrote the book "What War Did To Us: Ukraine." Providing first-hand accounts of all aspects of the conflict in the first 150 days of the war. Nick runs the popular Instagram account Battles. and.Beers, where he posts photos and videos of war stories from civilian and soldier perspectives. We discussed talking with veterans from both sides of a war, including Ukraine and Russian soldiers, plus much more. Tune in. Here is a…
Joining me for this week's podcast is retired Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann. LTC Mann spent a career as a leader in the Special Forces with multiple tours in Afghanistan. Scott is the author of Operation Pineapple Express, a New York Times Bestseller detailing the effort of a group of retired special operations veterans led by Scott who saved 500 Afghans being hunted by the Taliban. We discussed the harsh lives of the men who served in the Afghan Commandos, how they moved families to safety, and much more. Tune in Main Takeaways Miscalculation of American assessments on how long the Afghan…
GRP 167-Black Ops: The Story Of A Cuban Refugees Journey Into The Upper Ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Joining me for this week's podcast is Ric Prado. Ric witnessed a firefight at seven in Cuba during Fidel Castro's revolution. After his family fled, they relocated to Miami. Prado would go on to serve as an elite Pararescuemen in the Airforce and spent 24 years at the CIA, retiring at the rank of Senior Intel Service-2, the Major General equivalent at the Agency. He was the Deputy Chief of Station of the original Bin Laden Task Force and later served as the head of Korean…
Two active-duty Ukrainian Special Forces Operators are joining me for this week's podcast. Back on the show is Mikko, and joining us for the first time is his teammate Quebec. Quebec joined Special Forces in 2014 when the Russians annexed Crimea. He was wounded during a battle in eastern Ukraine, leading to his retirement from the military. He later worked as a security contractor in Afghanistan. Once Russia invaded Ukraine, he went back into Special Forces and has been fighting ever since. We discussed the Partisan movement and undercover operations in Russian-controlled territory, Bahkmut,…
My guest for this week's podcast is retired Marine Corps Major General Arnold Punaro. Punaro went on to serve for 34 years, finishing his career as the Commanding Officer of the 4th Marine Division and reaching the rank of Two Star General. He was shot during a firefight as a young Officer leading Marines against an enemy position in Vietnam. After the war, he went to work for Senator Sam Nunn in National Security matters serving as his director of National Security Affairs and then as Staff Director of the Senate Armed Services Committee. His latest book, "The Ever Shrinking Fighting…
About Global Recon
Welcome to the Global Recon Podcast! Hosted by John Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks sits down with American Intelligence professionals, and American Special Operations personnel to discuss a wide variety of subjects. These topics include historical events, current events, medicine, and geopolitics. Enjoy.
Global Recon is a English news podcast from John Hendricks. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.