From Iraq’s Chaos to the Frontlines Against ISIS with the YPG | Dan Meally | Ep. 405

dee takos

04 April 2026

Dan Meally shares his journey from a chaotic early career in the British Army to deploying in Iraq, where tactical successes often clashed with strategic failure. He later recounts fighting ISIS alongside Kurdish forces in Syria, offering a raw look at modern combat, unit culture, and the realities on the ground. The conversation also explores the long-term impact of war and the challenges of coming home. Today's Sponsors: GhostBed⬇️ https://www.ghostbed.com/house FOR 10% off!  Blue Chew ⬇️ https://bluechew.com/ Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL" Mars Men⬇️ For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://mengotomars.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON!  https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse To help support the show and for all bonus content including: -live shows and asking guest questions  -ad free audio and video -early access to shows -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Support the show here:⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse ___________________________________________________ PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN"  ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/ Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️ https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured __________________________________ Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/ —————————————————————— Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️ https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse Social Media: ⬇️ The Team House Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link The Team House Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod Jack’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link Jack’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21 Dave’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21 Team House Discord: ⬇️ https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6 SubReddit: ⬇️ https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/ Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️  https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241 The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️  https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/ Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio" 00:00 — Start 00:30 — Dan Meally Intro (British Army → YPG → Syria) 02:00 — Rough Childhood & Joining the Army 04:30 — Color Blindness & Infantry Entry Story 07:00 — Basic Training & Early Army Culture 10:00 — Drugs, Discipline & Dysfunctional Unit 13:00 — Belize Jungle Deployment & Signals Chaos 17:00 — Heat Casualty & Carrying Full Kit Load 21:00 — Northern Ireland Riot Training Gets Violent 25:00 — Volunteering for Iraq 28:00 — Basra Deployment & Equipment Failures 32:00 — Massive Ambush on British Convoy 36:00 — Casualties & Friendly Fire Incident 42:00 — Why Iraq Was a Strategic Failure 55:00 — Afghanistan Deployment & ANA Chaos 01:20:00 — Transition Out & Decision to Go to Syria 01:35:00 — Joining the YPG & Foreign Fighters 01:50:00 — Combat Against ISIS & Frontline Reality 02:05:00 — Airpower, Drones & Fighting ISIS 02:25:00 — ISIS Assault & Holding the Line Overnight 02:40:00 — Sniping, Firefights & Killing ISIS Fighters 02:55:00 — End of Tour & Reflections on War Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.