INTERVIEW: Why do you do MILITARY & HISTORY, Torsten

Imagine there is a war, and everyone is watching. That doesn't mean they understand more. Propaganda, unfiltered information, false information, and simply the "Fog of War" make realistic assessments of the situation difficult. Torsten Heinrich operates the YouTube channel MILITÄR & GESCHICHTE and has been analyzing the Ukraine war since the beginning with open-source sources as meticulously as possible. Including situation reports - we link an example in the interview. The cover image is a fan meme about it.

SPARTANAT: Torsten, with your channel MILITÄR & GESCHICHTE you accompany and explain the Ukraine War. Why do you do this?

Torsten Heinrich: Genuine interest. I have had an interest in the military, weapons technology, armed forces, conflicts, and military history since I was nine years old. This niche topic has fascinated me for 30 years, even if engaging with it may have been largely frowned upon in Germany. I haven't done much else for the Second Mount Karbach War, except that I only commented on the whole thing in writing on my Facebook timeline at the time, instead of making videos. Accordingly, it almost found no audience back then.

SPARTANAT: You are actually in Central America and doing a kind of freely accessible OSINT - Open Source Intelligence. What are your sources? What can one learn and discover? 

I spend almost all my waking time scouring all the sources and channels of the participants, observers, and propagandists of this conflict. I probably have subscribed to the 25 most popular pro-Russian channels on Telegram, a multitude of channels on YouTube, Twitter, and, for example, Reddit. I follow representatives and politicians of both sides, countless open-source aggregators, OSINT analysts, journalists on the ground, and of course various think tanks and experts worldwide.

The mixture of comparing the statements of both sides helps in determining the truth, the input of the OSINT analysts aids in documenting the facts, and the commentary from experts and think tanks helps in the evaluation. I then incorporate my 30 years of involvement in the topic, as well as my ability to critically analyze sources learned in my history studies, to obtain the most accurate picture of the situation and to evaluate it as competently as possible. The fact that I have been engaging with technology, tactics, strategy, as well as just the corresponding terminology for decades certainly plays a part in why my viewers appreciate my channel MILITÄR & GESCHICHTE.

SPARTANAT: The Ukraine War is also a war of public opinion. How do you experience your audience? Who supports Ukraine, who supports the Russians?

Personally, for reasons of transparency, I am relatively open about the fact that I cannot be neutral in this emotional issue. I openly communicate that I am pro-Ukrainian. However, this does not release me from a duty of care, and it does not lead me to begin lying to myself and then to my audience. Therefore, I do address weaknesses and crimes of the Ukrainian side, of course, I occasionally anger my pro-Ukrainian viewers when, for example, I dared to address Bandera and the handling of his memory in Ukraine or do not automatically believe the Ukrainian version of war crimes.

"I strive to not lecture or convert the viewers, but to stay as close to the truth and facts as possible."

Generally, it is important to me that MILITÄR & GESCHICHTE viewers know how I think, in turn making it easier for them to critically analyze sources. However, this does not mean that I do not do my best to be as objective as possible. Therefore, I am pleased that a significant portion of my viewers are indeed pro-Russian and yet remain loyal viewers, some even actively supporting the channel. I strive to not lecture or convert the viewers, but to stay as close to the truth and facts as possible. This seems to be working to some extent, as evidenced by the pro-Russian viewers.

As for the audience, it is mostly male, generally a bit older, with a high percentage of former and current soldiers. But also civilians who admit that they never thought they would follow a "military YouTuber." Politically, there is everything from very far right to very far left. In the end, it interests everyone. The fact that I do not take feelings into account but strive for the most accurate evaluation is greatly appreciated by the predominantly mature part of my viewers in the long run.

SPARTANAT: Where does your personal commitment to this work come from? What should we learn from you?

When I studied history, I consciously decided against becoming a teacher. The idea of sitting in front of 30 students who are not interested in what I have to say was terrible. Now, in the end, I have become a kind of teacher, only sitting in front of an audience that is actually interested in my statements. My engagement out of pure interest has led to a broad knowledge base, which certainly leaves me far from being an expert in every field, but also far from being a specialist fool. So, I hope to summarize my interest in an interesting and sometimes entertaining way and thus provide a broad audience with access to a very specific topic. The fact that my video channel MILITARY & HISTORY is now growing rapidly actually offers the prospect of being able to turn my vocation into my profession. Being able to earn a living from his hobby in the long run is certainly a dream.

What should people learn from me? In what way? Eat well and lift heavy weights? That would definitely be good advice!?

SPARTANAT: Do you already have a balance sheet for this war? Or is the very exciting detailed view enough for you?

It is still far too early for a general balance sheet, of course. It is entirely possible that this war will last at least another year, possibly even significantly longer.

However, it is clear that the so-called "second strongest army in the world" has been unmasked in a disgraceful way.

TORSTEN HEINRICH, 40, has been "engaged with the topic since I was nine years old, of course with increasing intensity and competence". He studied a Magister Artium in History and European Ethnology, as well as Political Science and Archaeology, although without graduating. He has founded a few companies, written a few books, and has been living in Panama since November 2017.

If you want to support Torsten in his work: HERE is a direct link to his Patreon.

MILITARY & HISTORY on YouTube