This week we're joined by whistle-blower David McBride to talk the release of his new book "The Nature of Honour", his upcoming court appearance on espionage charges, and the state of the Department of Defence. From Afghanistan and war crimes, to the Brereton Report and the nature of the modern Australian military, this is so good we need two episodes to unwrap it. And is David as good a spy as he thinks?

Take a deep breath and blow...

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With Canada and India at arms over an alleged hit on a Sikh dissident and it literally raining generals in Russia, this week we take a look at assassinations, in particular the more idiotic and ineffective ones. From axe-wielding bears to poisoned umbrellas, there is no end to the inventive ways people have tried to off each other. Make sure your powder is dry and that pistol your packing is primed for this ep!

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With world leaders currently gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly, we are joined this week by renowned journalist and host of the podcast "Take Me to Your Leader" Hamish MacDonald, for a good hard look at who is running the world these days. What is it that drives someone to lead a nation? With authoritarianism on the rise, what's next for democracy? What's the deal with the spat between India and Canada? And Kings in crops tops!? Make sure your abs are tight for this ep!

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With ASIO in the headlines for a botched attempt to recruit a Chinese academic to spy for Australia, we take a look at the ins and outs of agent handling. How is it done? How has recruiting agents changed? What is better: MICE or RASCLS? And where did ASIO and the AFP get it so wrong in a Brisbane cafe? Get your alphabets ready as all the acronyms are coming out in this weeks ep!

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After a well-earned rest David and Michelle are back, somewhat injured, but ready to take a look at what happened while we were away. What's the story behind the death of Wagner chief Prigozhin? Who is the 21 year old terrorist double agent who managed to escape the nick in the UK? Why are Chinese tourists booking holidays on US military bases? And why is it that every time we go on holidays, the intelligence world goes into overdrive?!

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Sweden's terrorist threat level has soared to unprecedented levels and Australia's travel advice is to exercise a high degree of caution. So what's going on in the land of vikings and Volvo? What do books and bacon have to do with it? And is this a signal that Islamic extremism is on the rise, or is it the handy work of one very disturbed individual?
And David & Michelle are taking a well-earned holiday so there's a thank you to all those listeners that have kept this show on the road. See youse in a fortnight!

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With the Ukrainian counter-offensive grinding on, it seems the real battle is taking place in the intelligence sphere. From foiled assassination attempts to drone strikes on shipping to seemingly impossible explosions in Russian factories and a cyber battlefield that is roiling, both sides of this conflict are claiming victories. This week we look at how, even when war goes kinetic, you can never underestimate the importance of an effective intelligence service.

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With the news that Australia's DIO will soon have US intelligence officers embedded within its ranks, we have a look at the relationship between Australia and the US. Are we the trusted and much loved spouse that America can't do without? Or are we just a country of convenience, one of many mistresses the US strings along? And what about all the stuff the US is storing at our place? Make sure your pre-nup is up to date for this ep!

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With authoritarian governments on the rise, it seems they are being emboldened in exporting their tyranny. Transnational Repression is growing, with despotic governments harassing, abducting and even killing critiques, dissidents and migrant communities far beyond their own borders. How bad is the problem? Who are the main players? Is Australia immune from such sinister attacks? And what is David's problem with the Canadian accent? Expect to be "oot in a boot" this week!

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We all know just how bad a spy David was but he pales in comparison with some of these guys. From German spies in WWI treating espionage missions to the US as fully paid vacations, to the British virtually insisting the US let a Russian spy work on the Manhattan Project, this episode features some of the dumbest moments in intelligence. There’s even the story of a swinging Czechoslovakian comedian who led the CIA by the nose.
Suddenly, David doesn’t look so bad.

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