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The War Diaries

Antonio Garcia served as a combat engineer in the SANDF. He is now a civil servant with experience as a researcher at Stellenbosch University, lecturer at Durham University, and tutor at the Open University.

Max Lauker served in the Swedish Armed Forces from 2002 to 2018, including roles in special operations and intelligence. He led numerous covert missions in Africa and the former Eastern Bloc. Now, he works in the private security sector, focusing on intelligence.

Both of them, the authors of the book Number 788 bring you their War Diaries, a column where they explore contemporary warfare, reflect on past conflicts, ask questions related to the future of war, and discuss many other aspects of war and warfare. Read their stories, leave comments, and join the discussion.

Herodotus vs. Thucydides: An Ancient Battle for Historical Method

Herodotus and Thucydides are often seen as the two foundational historians of ancient Greece, and their differing approaches to the writing of history have been the subject of much scholarly debate.

Past, Present & Future The War Diaries

Statues and Historical Memory (II): The Evolving Monumental War

In parks, and city squares, monuments stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time. They represent a moment in which they didn’t yet live, and in most cases they embody memories of the past. Yet, in recent years, these statues have become anything but silent, sparking protests, debates, and even violence. From the Confederate […]

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Statues and Historical Memory (I): The Evolving Monumental War from Bulgaria to South Africa

The role of monuments in shaping collective memory can be divisive, particularly when those monuments represent a controversial or painful past. Across the globe, such statues become flashpoints in the struggle to reconcile historical legacy with modern values.

Past, Present & Future The War Diaries

Reminiscences From a War Zone

I decided to keep a diary today. It’s difficult to understand people sometimes, and God knows that we can only begin to forgive once we understand the causes behind someone’s actions. All I know is that if it hadn’t been for our local expert—a community liaison and explosive ordnance specialist—we would have been finished. As I write this, I want to acknowledge that I don’t fully understand what qualifies as a diary, so maybe this isn’t a diary entry but rather a note. I just need something to help me remember in the future.

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Using ‘Whiteness’: Defeating the Apartheid Intelligence System (II)

We continue this week with an extract from Bob Newland’s life and experience, and his efforts in fighting the Apartheid regime in South Africa.