Matthew VanDyke

VanDyke attended the private schools Calvert School and Gilman School in Baltimore.{{cite news|last=Smith |first=Van |title=Baltimorean Matthew VanDyke didn't plan to be a motorcycling, freedom-fighting, filmmaking activist (and prisoner) in the Arab world, it just kinda happened. |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore |date=10 July 2013 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/07/10/baltimorean-matthew-vandyke-didnt-plan-to-be-a-motorcycling-freedom-fighting-filmmaking-activist-and-prisoner-in-the-arab-world-it-just-kinda-happened-2/}}

In 2002, VanDyke received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, graduating summa cum laude.{{cite news |last=Brumfield |first=Sarah |title=Md. Writer Among Journalists Missing in Libya |newspaper=Associated Press |location=Baltimore |date=4 June 2011 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/md-writer-among-journalists-missing-in-libya/}}{{cite news |last=Schaap |first=Fritz |title=Syrien braucht dich - Sagte sich Matthew VanDyke und fuhr los |newspaper=Das Magazin |date=23 February 2013 |url=http://zeitenspiegel.de/de/projekte/reportagen/syrien-braucht-dich-sagte-sich-matthew-vandyke-und-fuhr-los/article/}}

VanDyke studied in the Security Studies Program (SSP) at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service from 2002 to 2004. He received his master's degree in Security Studies with a Middle East regional concentration in 2004. As a graduate student at Georgetown University he wrote a political column for the campus newspaper, The Hoya, and co-hosted a radio talk show on the Georgetown University radio station, WGTB.{{cite news |last=Russo |first=Glenn |title=Alumnus Missing in Libya |newspaper=The Hoya |location=Washington, DC |date=18 May 2011 |url=https://thehoya.com/news/alumnus-missing-in-libya/}}

VanDyke is a member of Mensa, a social organization whose members are in the top 2% of intelligence as measured by an IQ test entrance exam.{{cite news|last=Smith |first=Van |title=The Accidental Warrior |newspaper=The City Paper |location=Baltimore |date=10 July 2013 |url=http://citypaper.com/news/issue-28-the-accidental-warrior-1.1517840 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827201032/http://citypaper.com/news/issue-28-the-accidental-warrior-1.1517840|archivedate=27 August 2013 }}

In 2004, VanDyke graduated from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service with a master's degree in Security Studies with a Middle East concentration.{{cite web |last=Engel |first=Evan |title=This Man Fights and Films the Last Gasps of the Arab Spring |website=Mashable |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://mashable.com/2012/11/05/matthew-van-dyke-libya-syria/}} His desire to see the Arab World for himself led him to supplement his academic pursuits with two long introspective journeys that would fundamentally change the way he viewed himself and the Arab World.{{cite web |last=Goudsouzian |first=Tanya |title=The white 'saviours' of the Arabs |date=22 April 2014 |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/04/white-saviours-arabs-syria-libya-201442145225666272.html}}{{cite web |last=Chantereau |first=Filippa |title=American freedom fighter Matthew VanDyke turns his eyes from Libya to Syria |work=Your Middle East |date=16 August 2012 |url=http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/features/american-freedom-fighter-matthew-vandyke-turns-his-eyes-from-libya-to-syria_8641}}{{cite web |last=VanDyke |first=Matthew |title=Why I Fought in the Libyan Civil War |date=17 February 2012 |url=http://www.matthewvandyke.com/blog/why-fought-libyan-civil-war/}}

The first expedition from 2007 to 2009 was a solo trip through North Africa and the Middle East on a Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle that included journeys in Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. This was followed in 2010 by a six-month motorcycle trek from Iraq, through Iran, to Afghanistan. For the latter, he traveled with his friend American photographer Daniel Britt, with the final goal of spending a few weeks embedded to film the US military in Afghanistan.{{cite web |last=Hofmann |first=Greta |title=The American Filmmaker Who Became a Freedom Fighter in Libya |work=VICE |date=19 September 2013 |url=https://www.vice.com/read/the-american-who-was-imprisoned-in-libya-for-six-months-for-fighting-gaddafi}}{{cite news |last=Pelton |first=Robert |title=Matt VanDyke: Filmmaker/Fighter |newspaper=Dangerous Magazine |date=29 March 2013 |url=http://dangerousmagazine.com/2013/03/29/matt-vandyke-filmmakerfighter/}}

VanDyke made several close friends in Tripoli, Libya in 2008; those friendships were instrumental in making his decision to fight in the Libyan Civil War in 2011. VanDyke lived in Iraq later in 2008 and 2009, teaching English at a University to fund his motorcycle journey.{{cite web |last=Wallace |first=Marlon |title=Matthew VanDyke: Tinker, Teacher, Soldier, Almost Spy |date=5 November 2013 |url=http://www.wboc.com/story/23884299/matthew-vandyke-tinker-teacher-soldier-almost-spy}} He also filmed the US military in Iraq and briefly worked as a war correspondent.{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Jack |title=An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 |date=1 March 2012 |url=http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/}}

VanDyke filmed his motorcycle journeys from 2007 to 2010, and some of the footage was used in the feature documentary about VanDyke, Point and Shoot, which won the Best Documentary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2014.{{cite news |last=Michaud |first=Chris |title='Zero Motivation,' 'Point and Shoot' win Tribeca Festival prizes |newspaper=Reuters |date=24 April 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tribeca-awards-idUSBREA3O01H20140425}}{{cite news |last=Buckley |first=Cara |title='Zero Motivation' and 'Point and Shoot' Take Top Prizes at Tribeca Film Festival |newspaper=The New York Times |date=24 April 2014 |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/zero-motivation-and-point-and-shoot-take-top-prizes-at-tribeca-film-festival/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0}}

In February 2011, the Libyan Civil War began, and VanDyke was in contact with several of his Libyan friends in Tripoli via email and Facebook. "My friends were telling me about family members being arrested or disappearing or being injured. They would say to me things like, 'Why doesn’t anybody help us?' So I said I would be there."

VanDyke went to Libya with the intention of joining the rebel force opposing the government of Muammar Gaddafi. At the time, there was no international military support for the rebels, and it appeared that NATO would not intervene. Gaddafi had air superiority and his military was significantly stronger than the rebel force.{{cite web |last=Little |first=Allen |title=Libya: Gaddafi forces 'bomb rebel-held Benghazi' |publisher=BBC |date= 17 March 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12775824 |accessdate=14 November 2011}} "I knew that they needed people to go fight. There was no NATO at that time. It didn't look like there would be NATO involvement or foreign involvement. It was a very, very desperate situation of Gaddafi's army moving towards Benghazi, and it was an all or nothing situation."{{cite episode |title=American POW Turned Libyan Resistance Fighter Matthew VanDyke Tells His Story |url=http://www.thetakeaway.org/2011/nov/07/matthew-vandyke-his-capture-libya/ |series=The Takeaway |credits=John Hockenberry |network=Public Radio International (PRI) and WNYC-New York Public Radio |station=WNYC-New York Public Radio |location=New York |airdate=7 November 2011 |minutes=8:37}}

On 13 March 2011, VanDyke was struck on the head during an ambush in Brega and lost his memory of what happened. VanDyke regained consciousness briefly during his transport from Brega to a prison, which he believes was in Sirte. He was interrogated and told he would never see America again.{{cite video |people=James Foley |url= http://web1.globalpost.com/video/5674478/libya-former-gaddafi-prisoner-matthew-van-dyke |title= Former prisoner Matthew Van Dyke tells of being jailed by Gaddafi] |medium=Website video |publisher=GlobalPost |location=Boston |date=31 August 2011}}{{cite news |last=Bahrampour |first=Tara |title=Marylander proud he joined Libyan rebels' army |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |date=7 November 2011 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/marylander-proud-he-joined-libyan-rebels-army/2011/11/07/gIQAZ16gxM_story.html}}

Sometime within the next 24–48 hours VanDyke was flown to Tripoli, where he was imprisoned in the Maktab al-Nasser prison in the Abu Salim district of Tripoli. VanDyke was held in solitary confinement, in a 1.2m x 2.2m (4 ft x 7 ft) cell with a small skylight in the ceiling. He was fed and allowed to use the toilet three times a day, but was not allowed outside or given anything to read or other materials.

After 85 days, VanDyke was blindfolded, handcuffed, and transported to Abu Salim prison, where he would spend the next 81 days, also in solitary confinement. The psychological torture of the solitary confinement was made worse by VanDyke's obsessive-compulsive disorder.{{cite news |last=Lyons |first=John |title=US filmmaker Matthew Van Dyke free after six months in Libyan 'hell' |newspaper=The Australian |location=Sydney |date=30 August 2011 |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/us-filmmaker-matthew-van-dyke-free-after-six-months-in-libyan-hell/story-e6frg6so-1226124790685}}{{cite episode |title=Filmmaker: 'We were all Gadhafi's prisoners' |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/44292441#44292441 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104001519/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/44292441%2344292441 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2013 |series=NBC Nightly News |credits=Richard Engel |network=NBC |station=NBC |location=New York |airdate=26 August 2011 |minutes=3:09}} Prisoners broke the lock off his cell on August 24, 2011, and he escaped prison. Free from prison, VanDyke stayed at the home of a fellow escapee for a few days before relocating to the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli as a guest of the National Transitional Council, and spoke to reporters about his experience as a prisoner of war.{{cite episode |title=Freed U.S. journalist visits Libyan prison he was held for 5 months |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/27/libya.freed.journalist/|series=CNN |credits=Brian Walker |network=CNN |station=CNN |airdate=27 August 2011|minutes=0:45}}

Shortly after his capture was reported, he was incorrectly described by the media as a freelance journalist.{{cite news| last =Farhi | first=Paul | title=Two Western journalists missing in Libya; three spotted in Tripoli detention camp | newspaper=The Washington Post | date = 14 April 2011 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/missing-western-journalists-including-clare-morgana-gillis-spotted-in-tripoli/2011/04/14/AFRm8peD_story.html }} Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Committee to Protect Journalists,{{cite web | author = Committee to Protect Journalists | authorlink = Committee to Protect Journalists | title = Journalist missing in Libya; 1 killed in Iraq | date = 8 April 2011 | url = http://www.cpj.org/2011/04/journalist-missing-in-libya-1-killed-in-iraqyemen.php | accessdate = 15 December 2012}} attempted to pressure the Gaddafi government on his behalf.{{cite news |last=Bahrampour |first=Tara |title=With Gaddafi dead, Matthew VanDyke, who joined Libyan rebels, finally returns to Md. |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/with-gaddafi-dead-matthew-vandyke-who-joined-libyan-rebels-finally-returns-to-md/2011/11/05/gIQAipAoqM_story.html}} On May 25, Deputy Libyan Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said he had no information about VanDyke. In early August, after nearly five months of denials, the Gaddafi government finally admitted that VanDyke was in custody, but would not allow anyone to speak with or visit him, and would not reveal which prison he was being held in.{{cite news |last=Brumfield |first=Sarah |title=APNewsBreak: US rep says writer in Libyan custody |newspaper=Associated Press |location=Baltimore |date=9 August 2011 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-us-rep-says-writer-libyan-custody-205310372.html}} Human Rights Watch visited Abu Salim prison and asked if VanDyke was being held there. Prison officials denied that he was there, when in fact he was.

Following his escape from prison, VanDyke stated that he would not leave Libya until the country was free and all cities were liberated from Gaddafi's forces.{{cite episode|title=American Fighter Back From Libya Speaks |url=http://www.wbal.com/absolutenm/templates/marylandsnewsnow.aspx?articleid=82730&zoneid=100series |series= Maryland's News Now with Mary Beth Marsden |credits=Mary Beth Marsden |network=WBAL |station=1090 AM WBAL |location=Baltimore, MD |airdate=7 November 2011 |minutes=14:44}} He also committed to not leaving until all rebel Prisoners of War (POWs) being held by Gaddafi forces were rescued from prison, including the three rebel fighters he was captured with.{{cite news |last=Marbella |first=Jean |title=Baltimorean taking up the Libyan rebel cause |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore |date=8 October 2011 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/10/08/baltimorean-taking-up-the-libyan-rebel-cause/}} He honored both commitments, remaining in Libya and fighting in the war, and not leaving Libya until Gaddafi was defeated and all prisoners of war were freed.

VanDyke has been compared to foreign fighters of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.{{cite news |last=Pelton |first=Robert |title=Matt VanDyke: Filmmaker/Fighter |newspaper=Dangerous Magazine |date=29 March 2013 |url=http://dangerousmagazine.com/2013/03/29/matt-vandyke-filmmakerfighter/}}{{cite episode |title=Filmmaker: Matthew VanDyke Returns From Libya And Plans To Return To The Middle East |url=http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/174465/373/An-American-Rebel-Plans-His-Next-War |series=WUSA9 News |credits=Bruce Leshan |network=NBC |station=WUSA9 |location=Washington, DC |airdate=11 November 2011 |minutes=2:18}} He appears regularly in the media as a media personality and media commentator.{{cite episode |title=The abandonment of a nation |url=http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/featured/news/868018287001/the-abandonment-of-a-nation/2666444018001 |series=Straight talk and hard news |network=Sun News Network |airdate=12 September 2013 |minutes=7:14}}{{cite episode |title=Libyan and Syrian Revolution with Matthew VanDyke |url=http://thelip.tv/episode/libyan-and-syrian-revolution-with-matthew-vandyke/ |series=Media Mayhem |credits=Allison Hope Weiner |network=Lip.tv |airdate=7 February 2014 |minutes=46:03}}{{cite episode |title=International community impotent on Syrian violence |url=http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/featured/news/868018287001/international-community-impotent-on-syrian-violence/2621088430001 |series=Straight talk and hard news |network=Sun News Network |airdate=21 August 2013 |minutes=5:42}}

VanDyke and a Libyan friend, Nouri Fonas, went to Ra's Lanuf, meeting with the commander of the Ali Hassan al-Jaber Brigade, who allowed them to enlist in the National Liberation Army.{{cite web |last=El Gamal |first=Rania |title=American fighter makes Libya's war his own |publisher=Reuters |date=7 October 2011 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/libya-american-fighter-idUSL5E7L730J20111007 |accessdate=15 November 2011}}

VanDyke remained on or near the front lines as the rebels advanced from Harawa to Sirte. At the Battle of Sirte he took part in heavy fighting on the eastern front, most notably near Jazeera, Sirte Hotel, Sirte University, Dubai Street, and the Emirates apartment complex, as well as other engagements.{{cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |title=Anti-Gaddafi troops meet fierce resistance in major assault on Sirte |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 October 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/anti-gaddafi-fierce-resistance-sirte?INTCMP=SRCH}}{{cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |title=Libya war reaches endgame with 100 loyalists left fighting |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 October 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/13/libya-war-endgame-loyalists-sirte?INTCMP=SRCH}} During this time, VanDyke used a variety of weapons in combat and served in a variety of roles, but was primarily a DShK (Dushka) gunner. When not in combat, Fonas and VanDyke often gave tours of the battlefield to journalists and assisted the international press to help them safely and reliably report on the Battle of Sirte.{{cite episode |title=American fighting Kadhafi dreams of free Libya|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUzFJTUnk3k |series=AFP News Agency |network=AFP |airdate=3 October 2011 |minutes=1:08}} During one such mission, they escorted CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey and his crew to the front lines in Sirte, at which time VanDyke was filmed in combat. This was aired on the CBS Evening News in the United States, and was the first combat footage of VanDyke to emerge.{{cite episode |title=Qaddafi loyalists' fight "does not make sense" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qaddafi-loyalists-fight-does-not-make-sense/ |series=CBS Evening News |credits=Allen Pizzey |network=CBS |location=New York |airdate=11 October 2011 |minutes=2:25}} Additional footage of him fighting in Sirte would later be made public in American television broadcasts and online.{{cite episode |title=Matthew VanDyke Returns From Libya And Plans To Return To The Middle East |url=http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/174465/373/An-American-Rebel-Plans-His-Next-War |series=9 News Now |credits=Bruce Leshan |network=CBS |station=WUSA |location=Washington, DC |airdate=11 November 2011 |minutes=2:18}}

VanDyke founded the non-profit organization Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) in 2014. The [[501(c)(3) organization] provides military training, advising, and supplies to forces fighting against authoritarian regimes and terrorists.{{cite web |title= Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) |url= https://www.sonsoflibertyinternational.com |website= Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) |publisher= Sons of Liberty International |access-date=1 March 2025}}

During the revolution in Libya in 2011, VanDyke became friends with American journalist James Foley and British journalist John Cantlie. The following year, he was with them in Syria just before they were kidnapped by Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria the Al-Nusra Front in November 2012.{{cite web |last=VanDyke |first=Matthew |title=A Tribute to James Foley and Steven Sotloff |date=10 September 2014 |url=http://www.matthewvandyke.com/blog/james-foley-steven-sotloff/}} They were later transferred to the custody of ISIS.{{cite news |last=Pavia |first=Will |title=Matthew VanDyke: the film maker waging war against Isis |newspaper=The Times |date=18 February 2015 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/matthew-vandyke-the-film-maker-waging-war-against-isis-qnz5q08sv7s}}

In August 2014, James Foley was beheaded in a video released by ISIS. Another ISIS video was released two weeks later showing the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotlof, who VanDyke had also become friends with in Libya and who had been kidnapped in Syria in 2013.

After the murder of his friends, VanDyke founded Sons of Liberty International with the first mission being to train forces fighting against ISIS.{{cite news |last=Gilmour |first=David |title=After ISIS Killed His Friends, This Guy Founded a Security Firm to Kill ISIS |newspaper=Vice |date=18 September 2015 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/after-isis-killed-his-close-friends-matthew-vandyke-founded-a-mercenary-security-firm-to-fight-back-253/}}{{cite news |last=Linehan |first=Adam |title=Exclusive Report: Meet the American Taking the Fight to ISIS |newspaper=Maxim Magazine |date=9 June 2015 |url=https://www.maxim.com/maxim-man/exclusive-report-meet-american-taking-fight-isis/}}{{cite episode |title=Matthew VanDyke: The Freedom Fighter (Episode 1) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPyJUkxSp74 |series=HistoryNow |network=History Channel |airdate=16 February 2016 |minutes=4:20}}

Sons of Liberty International's first mission was training and advising the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU), an Assyrian military force fighting against ISIS in Iraq from 2014-2017. VanDyke worked closely with the NPU's commander General Behnam Aboosh, training the first group of soldiers in secret before expanding the training to a battalion of 300 with the approval of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).{{cite news |last=Philipps |first=Dave |title=Unsettled at Home, Veterans Volunteer to Fight ISIS |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 March 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/us/disenchanted-by-civilian-life-veterans-volunteer-to-fight-isis.html}}{{cite news |last=Gallo |first=William |title=Foreign Fighter: American Joins Battle Against Islamic State |website=Voice of America |date=22 February 2015 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/foreign-fighter-american-man-joins-battle-against-is/2653851.html}}{{cite news |title=Baltimore man who fought in Libya now fighting ISIS |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-man-who-fought-in-libya-now-fighting-isis/7091968 |publisher=NBC |work=WBAL TV |location=Baltimore, MD |date=20 February 2015}}{{cite news |last=Gilmour |first=David |title=After ISIS Killed His Friends, This Guy Founded a Security Firm to Kill ISIS |newspaper=Vice |date=18 September 2015 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/after-isis-killed-his-close-friends-matthew-vandyke-founded-a-mercenary-security-firm-to-fight-back-253/}}{{cite news |last=Pavia |first=Will |title=Matthew VanDyke: the film maker waging war against Isis |newspaper=The Times |date=18 February 2015 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/matthew-vandyke-the-film-maker-waging-war-against-isis-qnz5q08sv7s}}{{cite episode |title=American Veterans Return to Battle, As Volunteers Against ISIS |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/american-veterans-return-battle-volunteers-against-isis|series=The Takeaway |credits=John Hockenberry |network=Public Radio International (PRI) and WNYC-New York Public Radio |station=WNYC-New York Public Radio |location=New York |airdate=12 March 2012 |minutes=5:50}}{{cite news |last=McKay |first=Hollie |title=Onward Christian soldiers: US filmmaker, self-styled revolutionary trains faithful to fight ISIS |date=27 February 2015 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/onward-christian-soldiers-us-filmmaker-self-styled-revolutionary-trains-faithful-to-fight-isis}}{{cite news|last=Schaeffer|first=Christian|title=Baltimore native Matthew VanDyke recruiting army to fight ISIS|newspaper=ABC 2 News|date=23 February 2015|url=http://www.abc2news.com/news/world/baltimore-native-matthew-vandyke-recruiting-army-to-fight-isis|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225131108/http://www.abc2news.com/news/world/baltimore-native-matthew-vandyke-recruiting-army-to-fight-isis|archivedate=25 February 2015}}{{cite news |title=Sons of Liberty International and the Nineveh Plains Protection Unit |newspaper=The Clarion-Ledger |date=23 February 2015 |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/picture-gallery/news/2015/02/23/sons-of-liberty-international-and-the-nineveh-plains-protection-unit/23910509/}}

In 2016, SOLI also began training and advising the Nineveh Plain Forces (NPF), another Assyrian force that was fighting against ISIS.{{cite episode |title=Matthew VanDyke: Training Days (Episode 4) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAt7s0Z3vIo|series=HistoryNow |network=History Channel |airdate=10 March 2016 |minutes=2:39}}

On May 3, 2016, ISIS launched a surprise attack on Teleskof with around 125 fighters and 20 technical vehicles, capturing the town where SOLI was living and working while training the NPF. SOLI, the NPF, the NPU, Peshmerga, and a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of Navy SEALs fought to recapture it from ISIS later that day.{{cite news |last=Mazzetti |first=Mark |title=Another Combat Death in Iraq May Presage Future U.S. Role |newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 May 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/another-combat-death-in-iraq-may-presage-future-us-role.html}}{{cite web |title=Sons of Liberty International and Iraqi Assyrian Christians in combat against ISIS in Teleskof, Iraq |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxXnXzq9dQ |website=youtube.com|language=en |format=video |date=16 July 2016}}{{cite news |last=Loveday |first=Morris |title=A Navy SEAL killed in Iraq after Islamic State punches through front line |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=3 May 2016 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-serviceman-killed-by-enemy-fire-in-northern-iraq/2016/05/03/f325cc2c-2eff-4450-8741-79e1eab2f2ce_story.html}}

In 2018, SOLI trained and advised a counter-terrorism force in the Philippines that was formed to defend against attacks by ISIS.{{cite web |title= Philippines |url= https://www.sonsoflibertyinternational.com/welcome/missions/philippines/ |website= Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) |publisher= Sons of Liberty International |access-date=1 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Sons of Liberty International military training of a new unit to fight terrorists in the Philippines |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDUAFZ2tt_k |website=youtube.com|language=en |format=video |date=1 March 2020}}

In March 2022, SOLI began training, advising, and supplying Ukrainian military forces after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |last=Dutton |first=Jack |title=Meet Matthew VanDyke, Former U.S. POW Training Ukrainians to Fight Russia |newspaper=Newsweek |location=New York City |date=26 April 2022 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/meet-former-u-s-pow-training-ukrainians-fight-russia-1699373}}{{Cite news |date=11 May 2022 |title=Why American veterans are dropping everything to train Ukrainians |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2022/0511/Why-American-veterans-are-dropping-everything-to-train-Ukrainians |access-date=25 July 2022 |issn=0882-7729}} They expanded in 2023 to include a demining program, finding and removing Russian landmines and unexploded ordnance in eastern Ukraine, and in 2024 began developing innovations for use on the battlefield.{{cite web |title= Ukraine: Mine Action |url= https://www.sonsoflibertyinternational.com/welcome/missions/mine-action/ |website= Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) |publisher= Sons of Liberty International |access-date=1 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=1st innovative armor materials test with M67 grenade in Ukraine by Sons of Liberty International |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwRYy6qFHM |website=youtube.com|language=en |format=video |date=30 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Sons of Liberty International 2nd test of armor materials using an M67 grenade in Ukraine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U2ft3Rfk6Y |website=youtube.com|language=en |format=video |date=3 December 2024}}

While leading SOLI in Ukraine, VanDyke also enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine to fight as a combatant in the war against Russia.{{cite episode |title=SPECIAL: LIVE from inside the Ukraine military w/ Matthew VanDyke

|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhlpJmBN4WQ |series=Judge Napolitano - Judging Freedom |airdate=2 November 2023}}{{cite episode |title=Ukraine Offensive - From the Inside w/Matt VanDyke Ukraine military enlisted |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6RlnYph1tw |series=Judge Napolitano - Judging Freedom |airdate=27 July 2023}}{{cite episode |title=Ukraine soldier Matt VanDyke - LIVE from Ukraine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHAEhVp5e7w |series=Daniel Davis Deep Dive |airdate=2 November 2023}}

In 2025, VanDyke revealed that he had secretly been running covert operations with Venezuelan rebels since 2019 to overthrow the regime of Nicolás Maduro.{{Cite tweet |user=matt_vandyke |number=1877763765866836387 |title=I've been running covert operations with a Venezuelan rebel commander since 2019. You've read about our missions in the media, such as Operation Aurora, but nobody knew who did it. The Venezuelan team and I agreed to reveal this today. We'll continue until #Venezuela is free.}}

Upon returning to the United States from Libya at the end of 2011, VanDyke was asked by the press at the airport about his future plans. He stated that he would be working in other revolutions, including likely participation as an armed combatant at some point in the future.{{cite news |last=Kilar |first=Steve |title=Maryland man jailed in Libya returns home |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/11/05/maryland-man-jailed-in-libya-returns-home/}} In 2012, VanDyke began preparations to make a short documentary film, Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution, to help improve world opinion of the Syrian rebel forces in the Syrian Civil War and encourage the international community to support them.{{cite news |last=Goldfarb |first=Bruce |title='Freedom Fighter' Matthew VanDyke to Film in Syria |newspaper=The Arbutus Patch |location=Arbutus |date=26 July 2012 |url=http://arbutus.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/freedom-fighter-matthew-vandyke-to-film-in-syria}}{{cite news |last=Engel |first=Evan |title=This Man Fights and Films the Last Gasps of the Arab Spring |website=Mashable.com |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://mashable.com/2012/11/05/matthew-van-dyke-libya-syria/}} VanDyke has stated that his decision to film instead of fight at that stage of the war was based on equipment shortages among the rebels, a problem that he felt his film could help address by increasing international support.{{cite episode |title=Baltimore's Matt VanDyke plans to travel to Syria |url=http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/baltimores-matt-vandyke-plans-to-travel-to-syria |series=ABC2 News |credits=Christian Schaffer |network=ABC |station=ABC2 |location=Baltimore,MD |airdate=24 August 2012 |minutes=2:24}}{{cite news |last=Ingersoll |first=Geoffrey |title=US Citizen Fighting For Syrian Rebels Has Been Branded A 'Terrorist' By Assad Regime |newspaper=Business Insider | date=14 November 2012 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/matthew-vandyke-fights-for-syrian-rebels-2012-11}} He self-financed the film with his own money, spending approximately $30,000.{{cite web|title=Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2856934/combined|website=IMDB.com|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=1 March 2025}}{{YouTube|id=RA8HsfRioWE|title=Syria film - Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution - Directed by Matthew VanDyke}}

VanDyke traveled to Syria in October 2012 and filmed for around a month in the city of Aleppo. Filming in Aleppo was dangerous because of artillery barrages, aircraft attacks, snipers, and the threat of kidnapping because of VanDyke's status as a public figure.{{cite web |title=An American Rebel: Baltimore Boy Goes to Battle in Aleppo |website=SyriaDeeply |date=2 December 2012 |url=http://beta.syriadeeply.org/2012/12/an-american-rebel-baltimore-boy-goes-to-battle-in-aleppo/#.UtdcU8uA0Ss}} While in Syria making Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution, the Syrian government broadcast on numerous Syrian State Television channels that VanDyke was a terrorist who had come to fight against the government as part of the rebel Free Syrian Army, greatly increasing the risk that VanDyke would be kidnapped or assassinated in Syria.

Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution was released in September 2013. It was broadcast on television by ARD in Germany, SBS in Australia, and NRK in Norway.{{cite web |last=Buchen |first=Stefan |title=Bilder eines Krieges | date=10 October 2013 |url=http://daserste.ndr.de/panorama/archiv/2013/syrien507.html}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/601749/n/Nour-s-War|title=Nour's War |author= |website=SBS Dateline |accessdate=15 May 2014}}{{cite news |last=Bjørgaas |first=Tove|authorlink=Tove Bjørgaas |title=Syria er det verste jeg har sett |newspaper=NRK | date=22 September 2013 |url=http://www.nrk.no/verden/_-syria-er-det-verste-jeg-har-sett-1.11256061}} Footage from the film was also shown as part of a 2013 episode of ABC's program Nightline.{{cite episode |title=Syrians Caught in the Crossfire: First-Hand Accounts |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/syrians-caught-crossfire-hand-accounts-21320371 |series=Nightline |network=ABC |airdate=23 December 2013 |minutes=8:37}} VanDyke released Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution on YouTube without advertising. The film is also available online through The Guardian's Comment is Free subsite.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2013/sep/18/syria-revolution-story-video |title=Syria: the story of a revolution - video |author= |work=The Guardian|date=18 September 2013 |accessdate=15 May 2014}} Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution has also been shown at educational institutions and events around the world sponsored by organizations such as Amnesty International and The Frontline Club.{{cite web |url=http://www.frontlineclub.com/shorts-at-the-frontline-club-september/ |title=Screening: Shorts at the Frontline Club Syria Special |author= |website=Frontline Club |accessdate=15 May 2014}}{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=Laura |title=Five short films from Syria |date=16 September 2013 |url=http://www.frontlineclub.com/short-films-from-syria/ |website=Frontline Club}}{{cite web |url=http://www.uma.es/servicio-cultura/noticias/ciclo-de-cine-sobre-derechos-humanos/ |title=Ciclo De Cine Sobre Derechos Humanos |author= |website=University of Malaga |accessdate=15 May 2014}}

The film was described by NewFilmmakers LA Film Festival as "a film festival darling".{{cite web |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/newfilmmakers_la_film_festival_presents_september_21st_program_in_downtown_los_angeles/prweb11115319.htm|title=NewFilmmakers LA Film Festival Presents September 21st Program in Downtown Los Angeles |author= |website=PrWeb |access-date=15 May 2014}} The film has won over 100 awards,{{cite web |url=http://susanknowles.com/wordpress/special-episode-thursday-61115-at-6pmpt9et-stand-for-truth-radio-with-matthew-vandyke/ |title=ARCHIVE – SPECIAL EPISODE – THURSDAY, 6/11/15 AT 6PMPT/9ET – STAND FOR TRUTH RADIO WITH MATTHEW VANDYKE |author=Susan Knowles |website=susanknowles.com |accessdate=10 September 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://pictoclik.com/2015/05/official-selection-not-anymore-a-story-of-revolution/ |title=OFFICIAL SELECTION NOT ANYMORE: A STORY OF REVOLUTION |author= |website=pictoclik.com |date=12 May 2015 |accessdate=10 September 2015}} including the Short Film Award at the One World Media Awards,{{cite web |url=http://www.oneworldmedia.org.uk/short-film-award-2014 |title=Short Film Award |author= |website=One World Media |accessdate=15 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515061502/http://www.oneworldmedia.org.uk/short-film-award-2014|archivedate=15 May 2014 }} and First Place (Non Fiction) in the 36th Annual National Short Film Competition at the USA Film Festival{{cite web |url=http://www.vimooz.com/2014/05/07/2014-winners-36th-national-short-film-competition/|title=Winners Announced for the USA Film Festival's 36th Annual National Short Film Competition |author= |website=Vimooz |date=6 May 2014|accessdate=15 April 2015}} as well as taking Best Film for the 2013 ITSA Film Festival.{{cite web |url=http://itsafilmfestival.com/2013-winners |title=Short Film Award |author=|website=ITSA Film Festival |accessdate=9 September 2015}}

{{main|Point and Shoot (film)}}

VanDyke starred in Point and Shoot, a documentary film written and directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Marshall Curry.{{cite web|title=Point and Shoot (2014)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3576060/|website=IMDB.com|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=15 April 2015}} VanDyke had approached Curry to collaborate on a biographical film about VanDyke using footage he had shot during the motorcycle journey and while fighting in Libya. The film consists primarily of VanDyke's footage from 2007 to 2011, which is combined with some interviews and a short animation sequence to recreate VanDyke's experience in solitary confinement as a prisoner of war.{{cite news |last=Ebiri |first=Bilge |title=Marshall Curry and Matthew VanDyke on Fighting in the Middle East and Directing Point and Shoot |newspaper=Vulture |date=25 April 2014 |url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/04/documentarian-marshall-curry-on-point-and-shoot.html}}{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Adrian |title='A crash course in manhood,' caught on film |newspaper=Macleans |date=29 April 2014 |url=http://www.macleans.ca/culture/movies/a-crash-course-in-manhood-caught-on-film/}}

Point and Shoot follows VanDyke's four year motorcycle journey, his friendship with Nouri Fonas and other Libyans, and his transformation into a revolutionary during the conflict in Libya.{{cite news |last=Gaynor |first=Michael |title=AFI Docs Review: "Point and Shoot" |newspaper=Washingtonian |date=18 June 2014 |url=http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/afterhours/film/afi-docs-review-point-and-shoot.php}} The film explores VanDyke's background, motivations, and the formative experiences during his motorcycle journey that led to his transformation into a revolutionary during the conflict in Libya.

Point and Shoot premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014 where it won the Best Documentary Award. The film also won the Independent Film Festival of Boston Special Jury Prize for Documentary Feature and VanDyke was awarded the Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Courage in Filmmaking by the Little Rock Film Festival for his work as producer and cinematographer on Point and Shoot.{{cite news |title=IFFBoston '14 Jury Award Winners Announced |date=27 April 2014 |url=http://www.lonelyreviewer.com/2014/04/27/iffboston-14-jury-award-winners-announced/}}{{cite news |last=Stephenson |first=Will |title=Little Rock Film Festival awards roundup |newspaper=Arkansas Times |date=19 May 2014 |url=http://www.arktimes.com/RockCandy/archives/2014/05/19/little-rock-film-festival-awards-roundup}}

The film has a 72% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/point_and_shoot/|title=POINT AND SHOOT|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}} and a positive Metascore of 65 on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/point-and-shoot|title=Point and Shoot |publisher=Metacritic}}

{{main|7 Days in Syria}}

VanDyke was a cinematographer and producer of the 2015 documentary 7 Days in Syria{{cite web|last1=Gorman|first1=Michele|title=TRAILER FOR '7 DAYS IN SYRIA,' A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT REPORTING ON WAR|url=http://newsweek.com/trailer-7-days-syria-janine-di-giovanni-396683|website=Newsweek|date=21 November 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Gandelman|first1=Joe|title="7 DAYS IN SYRIA" (A MUST VIEW FILM GIVEN RECENT DEVELOPMENTS)|url=http://themoderatevoice.com/210904/|website=TheModerate Voice}}{{cite web|last1=di Giovanni|first1=Janine|title=REPORTER DOCUMENTS LIFE IN ALEPPO IN '7 DAYS IN SYRIA'|url=http://www.newsweek.com/life-aleppo-7-days-syria-491850|website=Newsweek|date=21 August 2016|accessdate=21 August 2016}} directed by Robert Rippberger and produced by Scott Rosenfelt, following lauded journalist Janine di Giovanni. The film showed at three dozen festivals, including a private screening to Britain's House of Lords and to senior members of the United Nations, before it was released by Ro*co Films and Film Buff.{{cite web|last1=Rippberger|first1=Robert|title=7 Days in Syria Official Website |url= http://www.7daysinsyriafilm.com |website=7 Days in Syria |accessdate= 22 August 2016}}

VanDyke has been the subject of extensive media coverage, becoming a media personality who appears regularly on television, radio and podcasts.

VanDyke was the subject of a feature article in Maxim magazine titled "Exclusive Report: Meet the American Taking the Fight to ISIS."

VanDyke's experiences as a prisoner of war in Libya were the subject of an episode of the television show Locked Up Abroad.{{cite web|title=Gaddafi's American Prisoner|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5659540/|website=IMDB.com|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=1 March 2025}}

In 2016, the History Channel released seven episodes of their HistoryNow series about VanDyke's leadership of Sons of Liberty International.{{cite web|title=Matthew VanDyke: The Freedom Fighter|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiRuBL_i3RtIJdS90cLRdQ8lVNl1TBTED|website=YouTube.com|publisher=HistoryChannel|accessdate=1 March 2025}}

VanDyke has been the subject of reporting by The New York Times,{{cite news |last=Philipps |first=Dave |title=Unsettled at Home, Veterans Volunteer to Fight ISIS |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 March 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/us/disenchanted-by-civilian-life-veterans-volunteer-to-fight-isis.html}} The Washington Post,{{cite news |last=Bahrampour |first=Tara |title=With Gaddafi dead, Matthew VanDyke, who joined Libyan rebels, finally returns to Md. |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/with-gaddafi-dead-matthew-vandyke-who-joined-libyan-rebels-finally-returns-to-md/2011/11/05/gIQAipAoqM_story.html}} USA Today,{{cite news |last=Apel |first=Therese |title=Army of Assyrian Christians aims to fight Islamic State |newspaper=USA Today |date=23 February 2015 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/23/army-of-assyrian-christians-aims-to-fight-islamic-state/23914327/}} The Guardian,{{cite news |last=Smith |first=David |title=US film-maker held in Libyan jails for six months describes his joy at release |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=29 August 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/29/us-filmmaker-libya-jail-release}} The Times (UK),{{cite news |last=Pavia |first=Will |title=Matthew VanDyke: the film maker waging war against Isis |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=18 February 2015 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/matthew-vandyke-the-film-maker-waging-war-against-isis-qnz5q08sv7s}} Newsweek{{cite news |last=Dutton |first=Jack |title=Meet Matthew VanDyke, Former U.S. POW Training Ukrainians to Fight Russia |newspaper=Newsweek |location=New York City |date=26 April 2022 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/meet-former-u-s-pow-training-ukrainians-fight-russia-1699373}} and many other newspapers, magazines and websites.

He has appeared as a guest on many television, radio, and podcast programs and is an international security and foreign affairs analyst on numerous networks discussing current events in a variety of subject areas.{{cite episode |title=Americans head to Ukraine to help troops fighting Putin's invasion |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3KU8-NOsoA |series=Nightline |network=ABC |airdate=26 March 2022}}{{cite episode |url=https://www.facebook.com/vandyke.matthew/videos/matthew-vandyke-of-sons-of-liberty-international-on-hardball-with-chris-matthews/489556648588743/ |series=Hardball with Chris Matthews |network=MSNBC |airdate=12 March 2015}}{{cite episode |title=American trains Iraqis in fight against ISIS |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/american-trains-iraqis-in-fight-against-isis-465258051578 |series=Morning Joe |network=MSNBC |airdate=16 June 2015}}{{cite episode |title=Filmmaker remembers his friend James Foley |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/3741765744001 |series=Fox & Friends |network=Fox News |airdate=3 February 2017}}

• Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution (2013){{cite web |url=http://www.syrianrevolutionfilm.com/ |title=Home |website=syrianrevolutionfilm.com}}
• Point and Shoot (2014){{Cite web|url=http://www.matthewvandyke.com/films/point-and-shoot/|title = Point and Shoot}}
• 7 Days in Syria (2015)

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{IMDb name|5636662}}

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