The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley has launched “SAS: The Shadow War”, an eight‑part podcast that brings former members of the Special Air Service out of the shadows to recount their most secretive missions. The series, released in monthly installments, offers listeners direct access to personal testimonies from soldiers who operated during the Troubles, the Iranian Embassy siege and other contentious operations. While the first three episodes are already live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, full access to the complete run is reserved for Independent members who sign up for early entry. The project aims to illuminate a conflict that has long been shrouded in secrecy while raising fresh legal questions about how such actions should be judged.
Unveiling the hidden narratives
The programme’s format pairs Kiley’s incisive questioning with first‑hand recollections from those who lived the missions. Episode one introduces George, a former SAS ground commander who led the operation at Drumnakilly. He describes how the mission unfolded and the split‑second decisions taken when the situation grew volatile, recalling that he felt “the tethered goat” during the covert action.
In episode two, Kiley revisits two of the regiment’s most notorious engagements – the Iranian Embassy siege in London and the assault on suspected IRA bombers in Gibraltar – while hearing from the operatives who were present. Episode three shifts to South Armagh, where a former soldier recounts a harrowing episode in which a farmer doused his hiding place with petrol and urged his young son to strike a match. Episode four focuses on Liz, who was recruited as an intelligence operative at just 19; she explains how secret teams shadowed suspects, navigated anti‑surveillance traps and worked alone in hostile terrain, noting that her gender became a distinct advantage in the covert world. Episode five features Blue, a former 14 Intelligence Company soldier, who speaks publicly about the night he and a comrade were ambushed while monitoring a farm linked to the wanted IRA man Francis Hughes. Finally, episode six contains David’s account of a British soldier being used as a decoy, the setting of a lethal trap and the rapid decision to open fire.
Access and membership benefits
The first three episodes are freely available on major podcast platforms, but Independent members enjoy exclusive early access to all eight installments. Signing up grants unlimited listening, downloadable files and the ability to bookmark favourite moments for later reference. This model reflects the publication’s commitment to providing quality journalism without imposing a blanket paywall, allowing those who can afford it to support the work while ensuring broader public access.
The broader significance
Beyond the personal narratives, the series contextualises a covert campaign waged against the IRA in Northern Ireland, tracing surveillance operations, ambushes and the enduring legal battle over how these actions should be judged. By exposing the regiment’s shadow war, the podcast invites public scrutiny of a force that has long operated beyond the view of Parliament and the courts. The testimonies also highlight the moral complexities faced by soldiers who balanced national security imperatives with the realities of guerrilla warfare.
Why it Matters
The release of “SAS: The Shadow War” marks a watershed moment for both media transparency and veterans’ rights. By giving former operatives a platform to speak without censorship, the podcast challenges the historical culture of silence that has protected the SAS from public examination. This openness not only enriches public understanding of Britain’s role in the Troubles but also fuels a necessary debate on the legal and ethical frameworks governing covert military actions, a discussion that will shape future policy and accountability.
