Who is Malcolm Nance? MSNBC journo says 'he's done talking' as he joins fight in Ukraine
Days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenksyy made history by allowing foreign fighters to join Ukraine's army. Over the past 50 days, hundreds of volunteers from all over the world have joined the Foreign Legion, documenting their swift and brutal attacks on Russian forces. Amongst those fighting for Ukraine is Malcolm Nance, who just in March was MSNBC's foreign policy analyst.
Currently fighting in Ukraine is Captain Lee Geun, a former Korean Navy Seal, and popular YouTuber. Six special ops veterans also quickly flew to join the fight, along with at least 60 former British soldiers. Iraq war veteran Paul Grey also headed to Ukraine, but to teach rather than fight on the front lines. Numerous veterans from around the world are currently helping Ukraine, despite some disapproval from their governments.
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Nance is now one of those Americans fighting for Ukraine's freedom, something he has no qualms about. "The more I saw of the war going on, the more I thought, ‘I’m done talking, all right? It’s time to take action here," he told Joy Reid from the frontlines.
Who is Malcolm Nance?
Nance is an author, media pundit, former United States Navy officer, and an expert when it comes to Russia. Born in Philadelphia, Nance learned Russian, Chinese, Spanish, French, and Latin as a student. After graduating with a BA degree from New York's Excelsior College, he turned toward intelligence with a keen focus on the KGB and Vladimir Putin. Between 1981 and 2001, Nance also served in the Navy, achieving the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.
Interestingly, Nance comes from a family of veterans, who have all served the US in every war since the Civil War. According to one report, he was also a first responder to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. During his time in the Navy, Nance specialized in cryptology, counter-terrorism, intelligence, and combat operations. He later conducted Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training for the Navy and Marine Corps.
He has also seen extensive action, having been involved in the 1986 bombing of Libya, Operation Praying Mantis, and serving on the USS Tripoli during the Gulf War. After leaving the military, he founded the intelligence support company Special Readiness Services International. He also directs the think-tank error Asymmetrics Project. Using his extensive experience, Nance also turned into a writer and author, and in 2016 published 'The Plot to Hack America'. He also wrote several about ISIS and Al Qaeda, and multiple books focused on Putin and his links to Donald Trump.
Since 2007, Nance also served as MSNBC's foreign policy analyst, a role he quit sometime in March 2022, to join the fight in Ukraine.
'I am here to help this country fight'
Speaking to Reid on 'The Reidout', Nance said, "I am here to help this country fight … what essentially is a war of extermination. This is an existential war and Russia has brought it to these people and they are mass murdering civilians, and there are people here like me who are here to do something about it." He denied he was in any extra danger as an American, noting "(The Russians) are not going around hunting for American flag patches."
He also called the Foreign Legion "one of the best-kept secrets", and added, "It is literally a multinational force of men and women who are here to defend Ukraine... they were here for the right reasons." He was also quick to slam detractors, saying, "Tell them to shut the f--k up since they’re obviously p-----s who have never been in combat." Shortly after the interview aired, Nance posted a photo in full combat gear on Twitter, with the caption, "I'm DONE talking."