Conflict of Interest

The Malayan Emergency, with Phil Wang

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Episode notes

Few are aware of the secretive conflict that took place in the jungles of Malaysia in the 1940s and 1950s between British colonial forces and communist guerillas. So what tactics were used by both sides? Why was it called an Emergency and not a War? What happened to ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire? And why did this conflict become so important for future counterinsurgency campaigns?  In this episode we were joined by stand up comedian Phil Wang.

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CREDITS: 

Excerpt from "Malayan Jungle Patrol Aka Malaya Report (1953)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo6W2s1_AfY&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9

Excerpt from "Malayan jungle fighting in 1952"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PzaBY8-58&ab_channel=MichaelRogge

Excerpt from "Sir Eden introduces new Malaya High Commissioner (1952)"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h1zqqttu3c&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9