Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

S10 Ep1: Espresso Martini | Britain’s Flag Fight, America’s Role in Post-War Ukraine, Gabbard’s Purge, and a New Zealand Spy Trial


Listen Later

Flags are flying across Britain—but behind the bunting lurks a far-right campaign. Chris and Matt kick off Season 10 with a look at "Operation Raise the Colours," the extremist-led push to turn patriotism into intimidation. From there, they move to Ukraine, where the US has signaled willingness to offer critical support to a potential European-led peacekeeping force, even as Trump hedges on a deal with Moscow. Next, Tulsi Gabbard ignites turmoil at the top of the intelligence community, revoking dozens of clearances—including an undercover CIA officer’s—raising fears of politicization and damage to US alliances. Finally, the guys head to New Zealand, where a soldier’s espionage case exposes ties to far-right groups and highlights how extremists exploit culture wars from both sides.

Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs.

Join Chris on a one-day podcast course
Podcast Workshop Monday 22nd September 10am - 5pm @ The Guildford Institute: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1477046087609

Articles discussed in today’s episode
"'Operation Raise the Colours' Organised by Well-Known Far-Right Extremists" by Joe Mulhall | Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/2025/08/22/operation-raise-the-colours-organised-by-well-known-far-right-extremists/

"US offers air and intelligence support to postwar force in Ukraine" by Henry Foy, Christopher Miller & Steff Chávez | The Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/66ec25a0-4af8-467f-9fbe-cf42de890a7e

"Ukraine has unbreakable pledge from West with Trump's backing - Starmer" by Paul Kirby | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxwl15w2qko

"'Operation Raise the Colours' Organised by Well-Known Far-Right Extremists" by Joe Mulhall | Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/2025/08/22/operation-raise-the-colours-organised-by-well-known-far-right-extremists/

"Soldier admits spying against NZ by trying to give military base maps to foreign country" by Jeremy Wilkinson | The New Zealand Herald: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/soldier-admits-spying-against-nz-by-trying-to-give-military-base-maps-to-foreign-country/EJHSLUWH2JH65ERPPAZASVNBDY/

What else we’re reading this week
"DOGE Targeted Him on Social Media. Then the Taliban Took His Family." by Avi Asher-Schapiro and Christopher Bing | ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-musk-mohammad-halimi-institute-peace-taliban

"Tehran’s Homeland Option: Terror Pathways for Iran to Strike in the United States" by Matthew Levitt | Combating Terrorism Center at West Point: https://ctc.westpoint.edu/tehrans-homeland-option-terror-pathways-for-iran-to-strike-in-the-united-states/

"Estonian citizens warned of spy games if they travel to Russia" by Eloise Hardy | The Parliament: https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/estonian-citizens-warned-of-spy-games-if-they-travel-to-russia

"The choices facing Britain’s next MI6 chief" The Economist: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/08/23/the-choices-facing-britains-next-mi6-chief

Support Secrets and Spies
Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996
Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg

For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com

Connect with us on social media
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social
Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies
Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies
Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net

Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.
Music by Andrew R. Bird
USAF Photo by Senior Airman Ali Stewart

Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsBy Secrets & Spies

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

249 ratings


More shows like Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

View all
SpyCast by SpyCast

SpyCast

1,519 Listeners

War on the Rocks by Ryan Evans

War on the Rocks

1,081 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,802 Listeners

Cold War Conversations by Ian Sanders

Cold War Conversations

453 Listeners

The Red Line by The Red Line

The Red Line

348 Listeners

True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics by SPYSCAPE

True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

1,956 Listeners

In Moscow's Shadows by Mark Galeotti

In Moscow's Shadows

367 Listeners

SpyTalk by SpyTalk, Jeff Stein

SpyTalk

212 Listeners

Global Security Briefing by The Royal United Services Institute

Global Security Briefing

24 Listeners

SPYCRAFT 101 by Justin Black

SPYCRAFT 101

344 Listeners

Battleground by Goalhanger

Battleground

328 Listeners

NatSec Matters by Beacon Global Strategies LLC

NatSec Matters

268 Listeners

Mission Implausible by iHeartPodcasts

Mission Implausible

551 Listeners

The Spy Who by Wondery

The Spy Who

553 Listeners

The Rest Is Classified by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Classified

1,024 Listeners