The strength of our research is in our breadth and diversity of contributors that come from all over the world and the region because they believe in our passion for studying the intersection of small arms and the peoples of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asian regions of the world. Every article we work on at Silah Report is a team effort from the archival, open-source, and field research to the translations, the editing, and publication. We are a multi-faceted team with specializations in contemporary and historical research, podcast production, newsletter editing, database entry, web development and photography.
What Makes a Good Contributor?
An ideal article for Silah Report should have three elements that form a ‘tripod’ of research success and corroboration. A writer doesn’t necessarily need to complete all three but in our experience being able to successfully investigate and corroborate these elements leads to a very solid historical or contemporary research project. In addition, writers need to be team players and realize that the sum of all parts is greater than an individual ability at times. Oftentimes the editing and corroborating process can be lengthly before an article is ready to be published.
Small arms knowledge and experience (Military, Law Enforcement, instructing, researching) is a near essential component. Regional language fluency or cursory/working ability is another one. Applying writers will be accepted on a probationary basis, after which submitted articles that are published will be paid freelance content.
Field Research
Getting out into the field, whether that be at a museum in the United States, an auction in Europe, a battlefield in Syria, or a local market in Darra Adam Khel in Pakistan. Being able to have sufficient technical knowledge to know what to look for and photograph or video while on-site, in addition to the best possible recording capabilities as well.
Archival/Primary Sources
Working in historical and contemporary record holdings such as national archives, historical accounts, interviews and patent registries. An important note here is the ability to work in different mediums and in primary source languages as well. A fluency or at least a cursory regional language ability is an extremely important asset in this area.
Open Source/Secondary Sources
The internet is a mile wide but a foot deep. There is a lot out there and one can quickly be led to half-truths or even false conclusions if simply looking at everything available online. The Iraqi, Syrian, and Yemeni WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook market groups are choked full with new small arms for sale on a daily basis, but unless this is corroborated with the facts on the ground, it is hard to draw legitimate conclusions about what is being sold and fought with and in what ways in theater.
Positions We Are Looking to Fill
Researchers & contributors with the following language specialities:
Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen, Kyrgyz, Amazigh, Azeri, Baluch, Pashai, Sindhi, Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji),
Database Manager with an ability to work in Ragic, and data entry.
Web Developer who can manage WordPress, Hostgator servers & webmail.
Interested? Send us an email at info@silahreport.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!