About Me

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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Friday, November 14, 2008

LOOKING BACK AND GOING FORWARD

I never thought I would find myself having a blog but since the publication of my book “Executive Outcomes – Against all Odds” (Galago, 2007), the feedback I got from across the world made me realise that a blog might be a good way to give some insights into the current situation. The book, as well as some of the reviews, can be found at http://www.galago.co.za/

Writing the book was however never a guarantee that people would read it. Today still, there are bookstores in South Africa that refuse to carry the book and book reviewers who refuse to review it. This despite the fact that I can prove what I wrote but those so-called journalists who wrote scathing reports about myself and EO cannot prove what they wrote. Some of them even had the gall to threaten to sue me…something I am sorry they didn’t do because a court of law would expose their duplicity even more.

Truth has a strange way of resurfacing several years later as I discovered when The Star newspaper in South Africa published a full-page apology to me.

Of course, running Executive Outcomes (EO) had me labelled as a “communist”, “mercenary”, “right-winger”, “conservative”, “racist”, “nigger-lover”, and even worse. Although I initially found the entire name episode directed at me a rather bitter pill to swallow, I eventually figured out that people were confusing what I considered to be right with their political and business agendas. Furthermore, wherever EO worked in a country where diamonds were a resource, the disinformation against the company started. I wonder why other countries’ diamonds were of such interest to a specific mining company, South African Military Intelligence and the South African Department of Foreign Affairs, not to mention their association with a company acting as an advisor to all three of them.

Be that as it may, I shall refrain from continuing with that tedious subject as I covered it in some detail in my book. Instead, I shall rather focus on defence and security issues at hand and particularly in Africa and the Middle East and give my opinion and thoughts on what is happening.

23 comments:

He of difficult days said...

Greetings

Looking forward to seeing the content of your posts. Especially about local civilian security

And if its ok with you, I will direct others here if your posts are of any value to people.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Being somewhat very new to all of this, I welcome your visit and comment.

I certainly intend to get the subject of personal security and the collapse of our law enforcement organisations as this is a very troubling area. As citizens of a country, we are being disarmed and left to the mercy of criminals who sometimes either pose as policemen or are policemen.

My two cents worth on this matter will shortly be published.

Rgds,

Eeben

ZZ said...

We from SA Sucks wish you well.
Make sure you back up your blog regularly as you will doubtlessly receive unwanted visits and may suffer the same fate as we, namely having it deleted.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thanks for your visit and good advice! I shall take it to heart.

ray said...

We from Hong Kong wishing you well. We are living in a very peaceful City and there are nothing remind us of military issue. Looking forward for your posts which will inspire us the importance of law and order.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

You live in such a beautiful city and are so fortunate to not have the to deal with the problems we have in Africa.

Thank you for your visit and comment.

Rgds,

Eeben

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to your posts Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thank you Loggi! I shall try to not disappoint you.

Rgds,

Eeben

bulletbunny said...

about time somebody who knows what he is talking about does the talking. let us hope this will inspire countries experiencing difficulties to use the professionals instead of the rip-off artists and posers.

Nomad said...

There have been so many people pretending to be the E.O. founder, and quite frankly I think it’s insulting to Eeben. It’s about time the real voice of E.O., and the only man who could pull it off, was heard.

Garryowen said...

Sir,

Why do you think that Africa is opposed to US involvement on the continent through its AFRICOM?

Do you think that South Africa and Nigeria view AFRICOM as a threat to their individual regional hegemony?

Do you think that the African nations are suspicious due to past involvement of the CIA in Africa during the Cold War?

And my last Question, do you think Angola has the expertise to assist the Congo in its request for military assistance and will it ignite a second conflict as large as the first?

Link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hoitt5Bs
M5OKJ2Mmc3g5q6iufXjwD94DBL580

Regards,

Garryowen

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Sadly, the US has a history of betraying its friends in Africa. These betrayals have been perpetrated by the CIA, State Dept, DoD, DIA and other bodies. AFRICOM is seen as just another attempt by the US to dictate – not help - what Africans should be doing. Apparently, General Ward’s visit did much to entrench that belief. Nigeria and SA do see this as a threat to their position in the south and west of Africa but the resistance goes much deeper. This window of opportunity was identified by the Chinese who adopted an entirely different strategic approach to Africa. As regards Angola getting itself involved in the Congo: Angola will not abandon its friends but it will also not allow itself to the threatened. I doubt that it will involve itself large-scale in the conflict but it will protect its interests. I believe it does have the know-how and ability to assist Congo – and it knows where to get that expertise should it not be present.

I shall, however, in a later post be taking a look at AFRICOM and its possible future in Africa.

Rgds,

Eeben

Sonny Cox said...

The Unseen War
James would be proud of your achievements.
Regards to Chris
Billy Cox

Norbert said...

Hi there Eben, just received notification that you have your Blog up and running ... will be visiting regularly ... im currently in Iraq and will be back on the 18th of Dec. Hope to catch up at "our" coffee shop for a cappuccino .. LOL!

Rgds

Norbert

E Richard said...

Hey Eeben,
I was forwarded your blog from a friend and really did not know who you were. Interesting. I read about your book and think I will pick up a copy. Aside from what it is that you actually do, you must be an excellent manager. The levels of cooperation and coordination necessary to run a business such as yours must be immense. Congradulations on achieving what you have and still being regular enough to communicate with the regulars.
You mentioned something about having the opportunity to have the courts substantiate you position, better left alone. Remember, in order to do that you would need a lawyer, all judges use to be lawyers, need I say more. Just from your book reviews alone, in the right court in the wrong country you could be a war criminal. Better to be free and working for the right side than proving a point from behind bars. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I look forward to seeing you again Norbert. Keep your eyes peeled and your head down. My best wishes to those that I know.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

ER, I was very fortunate to have some outstanding men who played a large role in helping to manage the company. Without them, I am sure it would have all fallen down.

To be a war criminal, you need to commit a crime but your point is taken, thanks.

Rgds,

Eeben

Adriana Stuijt said...

S.Africa faces collapse, chaos because of filthy waterways - scientist warns
Read my articles:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262639

Young whites emigrate, young blacks die of TB-Aids:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262718

regards Adriana

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thanks for that Censorbugbear.

Rgds,

Eeben

Unknown said...

is this blog stiil operating? i do hope so Mr.Barlow because i wood like to talk to you sir

j.c.rosa


best regards.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Yes it is, J C Rosa. How can I help you?

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

My late response is due to the fact that I have been away, Thcerbllov – sorry about that.

Please send me your email address on this means – I will not publish it – but will contact you directly then.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Many thanks for the invitation, Donovan.

Truth be told I have never had to opportunity to visit your neck of the woods. If ever it does present itself, I shall be sure to hold you to that “biltong and beer” offer.

Rgds,

Eeben