Well, here we go!

The launch of Operation Suriname

Matthew Smith

Jan 28, 2024

Hey there! It’s Matthew.

If you are getting this email, I owe you a proper story. At some point in the past, we’ve shared a moment where I told a tale that seemed wildly over-the-top and fantastical—maybe you were even a part of it! I assure you, it was true to the best of my knowledge. Or, perhaps you are a friend, family member, or other kind soul who has aided my research.

The time has come to channel my extreme focus and love of story into something tangible. This is why I’m thrilled to introduce my new Substack: Operation Suriname! For those unfamiliar, Substack is akin to a weekly newsletter, blog, and podcast, all rolled into one. I’ve dedicated thirty years to unpacking the saga I’m about to share with you. This journey involved translating books from Dutch and German, diving into congressional hearings, tracking down missionaries, mercenaries, and veteran reporters, and exploring the bowels of the National Archives.

Each week, I’ll share a serialized story through a newsletter—free for all subscribers. Additionally, I’ll be sharing a podcast where I read that week’s chapter, offer more context, and feature interviews with intriguing characters and mesmerizing locations tied to the narrative.

Here’s the current tagline (subject to revision):

“Unpacking family secrets, mercenary tales, and dusty case files to discover why my missionary dad moved us next door to a dictator—amidst a bloody coup and a looming Deep State-backed civil war.”

I’m building this plane as we fly, so I could use your help. The story’s ending is not yet written. Your insights could help shape it. If you know folks who are drawn to these types of stories or have specific insights into our subject matter, please invite them to subscribe, comment, or reach out to . There’s a shareable link to this project below. Your support is invaluable—it helps this grow and enables me to continue sharing the stories currently capturing my imagination. If this isn’t your cup of tea or if I’ve added the wrong email—no worries! Unsubscribing won’t offend me in the slightest. We can still be friends, and I won’t make it weird if we see each other in the airport. It’s not for everyone. This is a story of missionaries, Deep State coup attempts, covert operations, and the untaught lessons of school. Think “Tiger King” meets “Wild Wild Country.” But for those of you who are on board, welcome!

And with that, it’s story time!

Matthew

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Date:
September 1, 2025
Categories:
Matthew Smith
Tags:
Operation Suriname
Boxes:
Press
Years:
2025
Persons:
META DATA
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