STRIKE THE TRUTH

Violette Szabo’s name might not be as universally recognized as some other wartime heroes. However, her story of courage, resilience, and sacrifice during World War II stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for heroism. As a British-French secret agent, Szabo's efforts in the fight against Nazi oppression not only demonstrated exceptional bravery but also left a lasting legacy. This blog explores the life of Violette Szabo, delving into her early years, her path to espionage, her daring missions, and her enduring legacy. Violette Szabo EARLY LIFE Violette Reine Elizabeth Bushell was born on June 26, 1921, in Paris, France. Her father was English and her mother was French. She was the second child of the family, and the only daughter. Violette had four other brothers who influenced her to be strong, independent and courageous. Her parents met during the First World War, when her father Charles George Bushell, met her mother, Reine Blanche Leroy. She was a dres

Sefton Delmer, a British journalist turned master propagandist, played a shadowy yet pivotal role in the Allied efforts during World War II. Fluent in both German and English, Delmer's early career saw him rubbing shoulders with Hitler, gaining unique insights that he would later weaponize against the Nazis.  During the war, Delmer led secretive black propaganda missions, creating fake German radio stations that broadcast misleading information to undermine Nazi morale. In this week's post, we delve into his cunning strategies and mysterious broadcasts that sowed confusion among enemy ranks. These efforts cemented his legacy as a pioneering force in psychological warfare. Sefton Delmer was a master at propaganda against Germans in WWII  EARLY LIFE Born on May 24, 1904, in Berlin to Australian parents with Jewish roots, Denis Sefton Delmer was immersed in a bicultural environment from an early age. His father, Frederick, was a professor of English literature at Berlin University

Oleg Gordievsky's life reads like a thrilling espionage novel set against the backdrop of Cold War intrigue. Born into a KGB family, Gordievsky embarked on a career that eventually led him to become a double agent for MI6, the British intelligence service. His journey took him from Soviet spy networks in Denmark to a pivotal role as the KGB's London "rezident," where he provided invaluable intelligence to the West.  This week's blog post follows Gordievsky's daring escape from Moscow in 1985, orchestrated under MI6's "Operation Pimlico," amidst growing suspicions within the KGB.  Oleg Gordievsky was a Colonel in the KGB  EARLY LIFE   Oleg was born on October 10, 1938, to Anton and Olga Gordievsky. His father was an ardent Communist after the Bolshevik Revolution and remained passionate about this cause until his death. In the 1920s, Anton Gordievsky was deployed to Kazakhstan. His job was to seize grain as part of the collectivization process tha

In the past few weeks, there has been considerable discussion in Finland about whether the country is at war with Russia. Retired Finnish general and recently elected Member of the European Parliament, Pekka Toveri , has issued a series of tweets on his X wall, essentially stating that Finland is at war with Russia. The use of the word "war" has sparked controversy among other military experts and politicians. This week, on our blog, we will explore this very question. We will examine what hybrid influence is, how it manifests in the context of Russia, and what we are currently observing in Finland. After breaking these down, I will offer my opinion on whether it is justified to describe the situation as hybrid war or hybrid influence. WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF HYBRID WAR? Hybrid war, also known as hybrid warfare, refers to a multifaceted strategy employed by state or non-state actors that combines conventional military force with irregular tactics, cyber warfare, misinformat