Pete Blaber: Clandestine operations are vital against cartels, why timelines hinder military success, and the importance of cultural respect in foreign missions | Shawn Ryan Show

Understanding cultural dynamics and strategic flexibility is key to successful anti-cartel operations and leadership.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 10, 2026

Key takeaways

• A clandestine approach is crucial for effective operations against cartels.
• Setting timelines for military operations can hinder strategic success.
• Trust issues within the Mexican military complicate anti-cartel efforts.
• Terrorists’ ideological motivations make them harder to infiltrate than financially driven cartel members.
• Respecting local culture and history is vital for operational success in foreign environments.
• The angle of bullet impact significantly affects armor penetration.
• American SUVs are preferred for armoring due to their design and spaciousness.
• Leadership should be guided by logic, common sense, and patriotism for the greater good.
• Russian military strategy is marked by deep strategic thinking and effective implementation.
• A sensitive approach is necessary when dealing with cartels to avoid collateral damage.
• Flexibility in military strategy is crucial for achieving objectives without constraints.
• Understanding the mechanics of bullet penetration is key to effective armor design.
• Cultural awareness plays a critical role in the success of military operations.
• Trust and partnership are essential in complex operational environments.
• Effective leadership requires a balance of logic, faith, and patriotism.

Guest intro

Pete Blaber is CEO at AddArmor. He commanded Delta Force teams during the Battle of Takur Ghar on Roberts Ridge in Afghanistan. A retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, he led elite counter-terrorism operations in Panama, Colombia, Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan before transitioning to corporate leadership.

The importance of clandestine operations against cartels

• A low-visibility, clandestine approach is essential for effective operations against cartels.

  — Pete Blaber

• Direct confrontation with cartels presents significant challenges and complexities.

• My advice would be go low vis make it a clandestine we should never say we have or even you know that mission is ongoing.

  — Pete Blaber

• Understanding the operational environment is crucial for strategic planning.
• Clandestine operations reduce the risk of exposure and potential backlash.
• The success of operations often depends on maintaining a low profile.

• Understanding the complexities of cartel operations and the challenges of direct confrontation.

  — Pete Blaber

• Strategic discretion is vital in sensitive environments to achieve objectives.

The pitfalls of setting timelines in military operations

• Setting a timeline for military operations can be counterproductive.

  — Pete Blaber

• Flexibility allows for adaptation to changing circumstances on the ground.

• I wouldn’t put a timeline on it… one of the things I think Putin did for Russia was he never told his generals there’s any time limit on you know take this sector.

  — Pete Blaber

• Timelines can create unnecessary pressure and hinder strategic decision-making.
• Military operations require patience to achieve long-term goals.
• The absence of time constraints can lead to more thoughtful and effective strategies.

• Understanding the implications of military strategy and the importance of flexibility in operations.

  — Pete Blaber

• Strategic patience is often more effective than rigid timelines.

Trust issues in Mexican military operations

• Trust issues in the Mexican military and government complicate operations against cartels.

  — Pete Blaber

• Partnerships with local forces are critical but challenging due to trust deficits.

• The tough part about it in Mexico I think is it’s really hard to trust anyone in the Mexican military or Mexican government and I’m that’s not a derogatory thing it just it’s the reality it is.

  — Pete Blaber

• Building trust is essential for effective collaboration in anti-cartel efforts.
• Trust deficits can lead to operational failures and increased risks.

• Understanding the complexities of conducting operations in Mexico against cartels.

  — Pete Blaber

• Trust is a foundational element in successful military operations.
• Overcoming trust issues requires careful relationship management and strategic partnerships.

The challenge of infiltrating terrorist organizations

• Terrorists are driven by deeply held beliefs, making them harder to infiltrate than cartel members who are motivated by money.

  — Pete Blaber

• Ideological motivations create barriers to infiltration and intelligence gathering.

• It’s harder to infiltrate somebody whose motivations are not financial… it is a religion to them it is their values it is their fucking core as a human being but a cartel member is a prostitute.

  — Pete Blaber

• Financial motivations of cartel members make them more susceptible to infiltration.
• Understanding the motivations of criminal organizations is crucial for strategic planning.

• Understanding the motivations behind different types of criminal organizations and their operational challenges.

  — Pete Blaber

• Infiltration strategies must be tailored to the specific motivations of the target group.
• Ideological commitment presents unique challenges in counterterrorism operations.

Respecting local culture and history in operations

• Operational success in complex environments requires respect for local culture and history.

  — Pete Blaber

• Cultural awareness is critical for building local partnerships and gaining support.

• Part of any any you know operational space that we enter is… you’ve gotta respect the culture and the history of that country.

  — Pete Blaber

• Disregarding local culture can lead to resistance and operational setbacks.
• Respect for local customs fosters trust and cooperation with local communities.

• Knowledge of military and intelligence operations in foreign countries and the importance of cultural awareness.

  — Pete Blaber

• Successful operations are often built on a foundation of cultural respect.
• Cultural sensitivity enhances the effectiveness of military and intelligence operations.

The mechanics of bullet penetration on armor

• The angle of impact significantly affects the penetration ability of bullets on armor.

  — Pete Blaber

• Understanding bullet trajectory is crucial for effective armor design.

• As soon as you move off that angle every caliber round loses its penetration ability on armor.

  — Pete Blaber

• Armor effectiveness is influenced by the angle of bullet impact.
• Knowledge of bullet mechanics is essential for designing protective gear.

• Understanding the mechanics of bullet penetration and armor effectiveness.

  — Pete Blaber

• Bullet trajectory considerations are critical in the development of protective technologies.
• Effective armor design requires a comprehensive understanding of ballistics.

The advantages of armoring American SUVs

• American SUVs are the best vehicles to armor due to their design and space.

  — Pete Blaber

• The spacious design of American SUVs makes them ideal for armor installation.

• All American SUVs are the best vehicles to armor they have the most room in the doors the least amount of superfluous crap.

  — Pete Blaber

• Design features of SUVs enhance their suitability for protective modifications.
• The practicality of SUVs makes them a preferred choice for armored vehicles.

• Knowledge of vehicle design and its implications for armor installation.

  — Pete Blaber

• Armoring vehicles requires consideration of design and space for effective protection.
• The choice of vehicle is critical in ensuring the effectiveness of armor installations.

Leadership qualities for national governance

• Leadership guided by logic, common sense, and patriotism is essential for the greater good.

  — Pete Blaber

• Effective leadership requires a balance of rationality and national pride.

• That right leader has to be someone who’s guided by logic and common sense and faith and patriotism and if they’re not we got the wrong person leading the country.

  — Pete Blaber

• Leadership qualities impact the direction and success of national governance.
• Logic and common sense are foundational elements of effective leadership.

• Understanding the importance of leadership qualities in governance.

  — Pete Blaber

• Patriotism and faith contribute to a leader’s ability to serve the greater good.
• The right leadership can drive positive change and national progress.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.