SAS: The Shadow War

About SAS: The Shadow War

For decades, the SAS has operated beyond public view, its missions shaped by secrecy and its reputation burnished by the rare moments when that secrecy has fallen away. In SAS: The Shadow War, The Independent's world affairs editor Sam Kiley traces the regiment’s covert campaign against the IRA in Northern Ireland, from the surveillance operations and ambushes of the Troubles to the hard questions that still endure today. Along the way, the Iranian Embassy siege and a deadly operation in Gibraltar reveal how the SAS became both a celebrated and a contested force. Drawing on rare and previously unheard first-hand accounts from former operatives and those who witnessed the conflict up close, this eight-part documentary series explores a war fought largely out of sight – and the legal battle now being waged over how its actions should be judged. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

The Independent / Aurra Studios

Category

government · history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Sept 2026

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

5 of 5 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 4 Cat and Mouse

   In this interview, Sam Kiley speaks with veteran surveillance operator 'Bob' and pioneering operative 'Liz' about the deadly risks and secrets of British intelligence operations in Northern Ireland.

2. 

   5 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 2 Heroes and Villains

   World affairs editor Sam Kiley interviews himself, exploring how two SAS operations, the Iranian Embassy siege and the Gibraltar killings, created vastly different public legacies for the regiment.

3. 

   5 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 3 Life in a Hedge

   World affairs editor Sam Kiley interviews a former SAS soldier about the perilous covert surveillance missions against the Provisional IRA during the Troubles.

4. 

   5 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 1 Tethered Goat

   World affairs editor Sam Kiley interviews former SAS ground commander ‘George’ about a pivotal ambush during the Troubles, exploring the complex balance between duty and accountability.

5. 

   28 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   SAS: The Shadow War - Trailer

   International affairs editor Sam Kiley interviews former operatives about the SAS's secret campaign against the IRA, revealing the regiment's controversial history and enduring legacy.

Inside a recent episode

Episode 4 Cat and Mouse

Published 12 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] These warring communities were Protestant loyalists who wanted to stay part of Britain and Catholic Republicans who sought a united Ireland. But of course, the army itself then became the target, particularly for the IRA. And so in trying to respond to the violence that has been perpetrated against themselves, against the opposing entity over there, the loyalist community, and the various instruments of state, the policemen, the judges, etc., politicians, it found itself in an intelligence vacuum. It didn't really know what it was trying to respond to. How do you find these people? I mean, they're hiding their identities, they're operating from within the civil community, principally from the Catholic community, not exclusively, I have to say, but principally from the Catholic community. […]

Who has been a guest on SAS: The Shadow War

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Bob
• Liz
• George

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

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Questions about SAS: The Shadow War