Researcher Profile: Miles Vining and Silah Report

Published on July 23, 2019
Duration: 7:11

This video introduces Miles Vining and the SELA report, an organization dedicated to researching firearms in conflict zones and regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Vining explains how SELA bridges the gap between firearms enthusiasts and academics by combining technical firearm knowledge with cultural and political understanding of the regions. The report emphasizes original research, often with indigenous input and translation, to uncover the history and provenance of specific firearms, such as the Sudanese AR-10 found in Yemen.

Quick Summary

The SELA Report is an organization dedicated to researching firearms in conflict zones and regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Its mission is to bridge the gap between technical firearms knowledge and the cultural and political understanding of these areas, providing in-depth analysis of weapon provenance and history.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Miles Vining and SELA Report
  2. 00:13Miles Vining's Work in War Zones
  3. 00:37Founding the SELA Report
  4. 00:56The Divide in Firearms Knowledge
  5. 01:38Combining Technical and Regional Understanding
  6. 01:55The Sudanese AR-10 Discovery
  7. 02:11SELA Report's Research Methodology
  8. 02:21Content on the SELA Report Website
  9. 02:53The SELA Report Research Team
  10. 03:47SELA Report Merchandise Production

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SELA Report and what is its mission?

The SELA Report is an organization dedicated to researching firearms in conflict zones and regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Its mission is to bridge the gap between technical firearms knowledge and the cultural and political understanding of these areas, providing in-depth analysis of weapon provenance and history.

How does the SELA Report conduct its firearms research?

SELA Report combines technical analysis of firearms with deep regional knowledge, including indigenous languages and cultural nuances. They prioritize original research using primary sources and often collaborate with local researchers and translators from the regions they study.

What are some examples of firearms research conducted by SELA Report?

SELA Report has researched the history of firearms like the Mauser C96 in Yemen, explaining its presence through historical alliances. A significant discovery was finding a Sudanese AR-10, a rare rifle from the 1950s, in Yemen, tracing its journey from Sudan.

Who is Miles Vining and what is his role with the SELA Report?

Miles Vining is the co-founder of the SELA Report. He has a background in studying regional affairs and noticed a disconnect between firearms enthusiasts and academics, leading him to establish SELA to provide comprehensive research on firearms in complex geopolitical areas.

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