This week, Chris and Matt unpack the deepening chaos at the Pentagon as Pete Hegseth’s tenure as secretary of defense continues to spiral. From more leaked strike plans on Signal to staff purges and his wife sitting in on sensitive meetings, the dysfunction is reaching new lows. Then, a little-known Russian spymaster emerges as a key player in Ukraine peace talks, just as far-right ideologues inside Russia insist on total victory at any cost. Plus, listener questions on Europe’s military independence, Bulgaria’s role in Russian espionage, and the EU’s Orbán problem.

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

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2cd1a9

YouTube: https://youtu.be/p2hm0KZYiYk

"Info Hegseth shared with wife and brother came from top general's secure messages" by Courtney Kube & Gordon Lubold | NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/info-pete-hegseth-shared-wife-brother-came-top-generals-secure-message-rcna198838

"Under Hegseth, Chaos Prevails at the Pentagon" by Greg Jaffe & Helene Cooper | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/politics/hegseth-chaos-pentagon.html

"The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary" by Tom Bowman & Quil Lawrence | NPR: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/nx-s1-5371312/trump-white-house-pete-hegseth-defense-department

"Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat" by Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt & Maggie Haberman | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/us/politics/hegseth-yemen-attack-second-signal-chat.html

"Two top Pentagon officials placed on leave in leak probe" by Daniel Lippman & Jack Detsch | Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/15/caldwell-pentagon-leaks-00291735

"Real reason Pete Hegseth's wife Jennifer Rauchet won't let him out of her sight …and the secret nickname she has earned from Pentagon staffers" by Susan Greene | Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14636555/pete-hegseth-wife-jennifer-rauchet-pentagon-secret-nickname-staffers.html

"Who is Sergey Beseda, Russian spy handler leading talks with US?" by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/sergey-beseda-russias-negotiator-in-saudi-arabia-and-his-role-in-ukraines-war/

"The Russian Nationalists Pushing for Ukraine’s Destruction" by Giovanni Pigni | New Lines Magazine: https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-russian-nationalists-pushing-for-victory-in-ukraine/

"Sweden’s Bigger Badder Gripen Fighter Packs A Lot Of Punch In An Incredibly Efficient Package" by Jamie Hunter | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/39081/swedens-bigger-badder-gripen-fighter-packs-a-lot-of-punch-in-an-incredibly-efficient-package

"Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/escalating-trade-war-raises-questions-over-canadas-f-35-future

"A Weak Link in NATO? Bulgaria, Russia, and the Lure of Espionage" by Mark Kramer | Davis Center for Russian & Eurasian Studies: https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/weak-link-nato-bulgaria-russia-and-lure-espionage

Thanks for listener questions from Julie, Sam, and Richard!

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Photos by Eric Lee/NYT and Sgt. 1st Class Marisol Walker/US Army

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Chris welcomes back national security journalist Florian Flade to unpack Russia’s shadow war against NATO. They examine Moscow’s escalating hybrid attacks across Europe—from sabotage and arson to drone incursions and attempted assassinations—and how Russia recruits low-level agents via Telegram and even AI-driven chatbots. Florian details arson plots, suspicious drone activity near critical infrastructure, infiltration of the German Navy, and a parcel bomb campaign stretching from Lithuania to the UK. They also explore how Russia exploits legal loopholes, overwhelms under-resourced security services, and uses these operations to map NATO’s vulnerabilities. Plus, an alleged assassination plot in Frankfurt, concerns about escalation, and why European security services may still be underprepared for what’s coming.

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2cbe95

YouTube: https://youtu.be/1WFUmHSW3NQ

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/florianflade.bsky.social

Twitter/X: https://x.com/FlorianFlade

Blog: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/

“Cluster of New Drone Sightings in the North” by lorian Flade, Manuel Bewarder, and Benedikt Strunz: https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/drohnen-ueberfluege-102.html

“Sabotage of Navy Warships” by Manuel Bewarder and Florian Flade: https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/sabotage-marine-ostsee-102.html

“Russian Intelligence Service Suspected Behind Sabotage” by Manuel Bewarder, Florian Flade, and Sebastian Pittelkow: https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/russland-sabotage-106.html

“The Man with Many Identities” by Florian Flade, Antonius Kempmann and Palina Milling: https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/ukraine-russland-spionage-102.html

“Arrests Including for Espionage Activities and Membership in the Foreign Terrorist Organization ‘Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)’” by the Federal Attorney General’s Office: https://www.generalbundesanwalt.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/Pressemitteilung-vom-18-04-2024.html

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Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Chris sits down with Gavin Stone—former covert operative, body language expert, and best-selling author—to explore the subtle science of reading people. They delve into the art of lie detection, psychological manipulation, and the power of nonverbal cues in high-risk environments. Drawing on two decades of frontline HUMINT experience, Gavin shares insights from a career spent tracking threats, training operatives, and mastering deception detection. From surveillance tradecraft to the fine line between influence and control, this episode offers a fascinating look at how operatives really interpret human behavior—and what the rest of us can learn from it.

Find more about Gavin: https://www.convenzis.co.uk/speakers/gavin-stone

Gavin’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GavinStoneAuthor

Find Gavin’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gavin-Stone/author/B015HWIKGG.

Spy Q event: https://spy-q.com/

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2ca01f

YouTube: https://youtu.be/bcLVMEOqeEc

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

This week, Matt speaks with Nicolo Majnoni, host of Shadow Kingdom, a gripping new investigative podcast from Crooked Media and Campside Media. The first season explores the mysterious June 1982 death of Roberto Calvi—known as “God’s Banker”—and his ties to the Vatican, organized crime, and secret societies at the height of Italy’s Cold War turmoil. They unpack Calvi’s downfall, the shadowy institutions behind it, and what this story reveals about how power operates in the dark. They also discuss the Vatican’s covert influence, how conspiracies blur into history, and what it means to tell stories when the truth remains elusive.

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

Listen to Shadow Kingdom: God’s Banker: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/shadow-kingdom/

Find more about Nicolo: https://www.nicolomajnoni.com

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2c8a6c

YouTube: https://youtu.be/cJoiqVwe-qM

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Photos by Arin Sang-urai, Phillip Jackson/DailyMail & Canva

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Chris and Matt unpack the surreal ousting of top U.S. national security officials after far-right influencer Laura Loomer walked into the Oval Office with a hit list. They assess the fallout for cyber defenses, the politicization of the FBI, and the broader dismantling of U.S. institutions under Trump’s second term. Then, they turn to Trump’s sweeping trade war, its global blowback, and what Wall Street really thinks. Plus, a respected Chinese-American scientist disappears after an FBI raid, and Japan unveils a new generation of long-range missiles as it prepares for a more dangerous Pacific.

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

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2c6f9e

YouTube: https://youtu.be/s4KsMuz1lHY

"How Right Wing Influencer Laura Loomer Targeted Top Security Officials" by Dustin Volz, Vera Bergengruen & Alexander Ward | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/how-right-wing-influencer-laura-loomer-targeted-top-security-officials-0b002715

"The Conspiracy Theorist Advising Trump" by Tom Nichols | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/04/the-conspiracy-theorist-advising-trump/682289/

"I was a Top Leader at the FBI. What I Saw This Year Was Deeply Worrying. It Should Concern You Too." by John Sullivan | Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-160799346

"Will Russia Come Out a Winner in Trump’s Trade Wars" by Moscow Times Reporter | The Moscow Times: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/03/will-russia-come-out-a-winner-in-trumps-trade-wars-a88238

"Russia not on Trump's tariff list" by Vitaliy Shevchenko | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjl3k1we8vo

"Trump has turned his back on the foundation of US economic might - the fallout will be messy" by Faisal Islam | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp34nkj1kv2o

"Cybersecurity Professor Faced China-Funding Inquiry Before Disappearing, Sources Say" by Zeyi Yang, Louise Matsakis & Caroline Haskins | WIRED: https://www.wired.com/story/xiaofeng-wang-indiana-university-research-probe-china/

"FBI raids home of prominent computer scientist who has gone incommunicado" by Dan Goodin | Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/03/computer-scientist-goes-silent-after-fbi-raid-and-purging-from-university-website/

"Japan develops new missiles designed to repel an invasion" by Leilani Chavez | Defense News: https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/04/03/japan-develops-new-missiles-designed-to-repel-an-invasion/

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Photographer and field researcher Michał Rokita joins Matt to discuss his rare and meticulous efforts to document one of the world’s most secretive military sites: Area 51. From hiking remote peaks in the Nevada desert to capturing panoramic images from over 20 miles away, Michał shares what it takes to legally photograph Groom Lake from public land. They explore the history of the Dreamland Interceptors, the challenges of desert spotting, and the moments he’s witnessed — stealth fighters, unannounced landings, and one night when his presence may have scrubbed a secret test flight. It’s a real-world look at Area 51, far from the conspiracy theories, and the dedicated hobbyists preserving its history from a distance.

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

Find Michał’s trip reports, photos, and more about Area 51’s history at Dreamland Resort: https://www.dreamlandresort.com/team/michal.html

Follow Michał’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@n01_b4_flash-ev5jb

Follow Michał on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rallyracingvideo

Read Dreamland: The Secret History of Area 51 by Peter Merlin: https://schifferbooks.com/products/dreamland

Listen to Matt’s interview with Peter: https://audioboom.com/posts/8434360-the-secret-history-of-area-51-with-peter-merlin

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2c538d

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vKIzVXOmnz0

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Photos by Michał Rokita

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

The Atlantic’s Shane Harris joins Chris and Matt to unpack Signalgate, the extraordinary national security scandal where top Trump officials coordinated airstrikes over Signal and accidentally included a journalist in the group chat. They discuss the operational fallout, legal implications, and the strain on Five Eyes allies. Then, they dive into the reveal of Boeing’s F-47, the U.S. Air Force’s first sixth-generation fighter and potential final manned combat jet. Finally, Chris remembers legendary KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky and his legacy for British intelligence.

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

Podfollow: pod.fo/e/2c342b

YouTube: youtu.be/SOFfr45cbRw

"The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans" by Jeffrey Goldberg | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/

"Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal" by Jeffrey Goldberg & Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/signal-group-chat-attack-plans-hegseth-goldberg/682176/

"A Rare Moment of Bipartisan Disbelief" by Mark Leibovich | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-cabinet-security-leak/682172/

"Signal Chat Leak Angers U.S. Military Pilots" by Helene Cooper & Eric Schmitt | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/us/politics/pilots-signal-leak.html

"Waltz and staff used Gmail for government communications, officials say" by John Hudson | The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/01/waltz-national-security-council-signal-gmail/

"Hegseth’s younger brother is serving in a key role as liaison and senior adviser inside the Pentagon" by Tara Copp | Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-brother-signal-dhs-hired-68678a8a653c79a4c6ae31a8bee64836

"Hegseth Brought His Wife to Sensitive Meetings With Foreign Military Officials" by Katherine Long, Max Colchester, Daniel Michaels & Lindsay Wise | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/hegseth-brought-his-wife-to-sensitive-meetings-with-foreign-military-officials-c16db0ea

"'Should I Fire Him?’ Inside Trump’s Deliberations Over the Fate of Michael Waltz" by Maggie Haberman & Tyler Page | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/us/politics/trump-signal-michael-waltz.html

"Waltz’s team set up at least 20 Signal group chats for crises across the world" by Dasha Burns | Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/02/waltzs-team-set-up-at-least-20-signal-group-chats-for-crises-across-the-world-00266845

"Signal for Secure Comms: Convenience Over Security Without the Record-Keeping" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/signal-for-secure-comms-convenience-over-security-without-the-record-keeping

"Boeing Wins F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Contract" by Thomas Newdick & Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/boeing-wins-air-forces-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter-contract

"F-47 Was Born Out of Secret X-Planes Built by Both Boeing and Lockheed" by Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/f-47-was-born-out-of-secret-x-planes-built-by-both-boeing-and-lockheed

"Oleg Gordievsky, K.G.B. Officer Turned Double Agent, Dies at 86" by Clay Risen | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/world/europe/oleg-gordievsky-dead.html

"The Godalming Connection: The Curious Surrey Saga of Fleming, Bond, Putin & the KGB Colonel" by Mark O’Connell: https://markoconnell.co.uk/the-godalming-connection-the-curious-surrey-saga-of-bond-fleming-putin-and-the-kgb-colonel/

Read Shane’s work at The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/shane-harris/

Follow Shane on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/shaneharris.bsky.social

Follow Shane on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/shaneharris

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

U.S. Navy photos by PO2 Darren Cordoviz & PO2 Lindsey Kish

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

What can business leaders learn from spies? In this episode, Chris speaks with Jeremy Hurewitz, author of Sell Like a Spy, to explore how intelligence officers build trust, read people, and influence outcomes. Drawing on years spent working alongside former CIA, FBI, and military professionals in the world of corporate security, Jeremy shares real-world techniques—like mirroring, elicitation, and active listening—that can transform how we sell, lead, and connect. They also discuss the ethics of private intelligence, how Hollywood gets espionage wrong, and why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in a tech-driven world.

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

Find more about Jeremy and Sell Like a Spy: https://www.selllikeaspy.net

Follow Jeremy on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/selllikeaspy

YouTube: https://youtu.be/NZHJ-Eznuro

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Former FBI counterintelligence specialist Eric O’Neill joins Chris to recount his mission to help capture one of the most damaging spies in American history: Robert Hanssen. They discuss Hanssen’s transformation from a wannabe Bond into a real-life cyber mole, his staggering betrayal of US intelligence, and how O’Neill built trust with a man he knew he had to take down. Eric also shares how the Hanssen case shaped his transition into cybersecurity, explores the rise of cybercrime as a $12 trillion black-market economy, and explains why AI deepfakes, ransomware, and social engineering attacks pose growing threats to national security and everyday life.

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

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vmViAP6jits

Podfollow: https://pod.fo/e/2bfdc5

Find more about Eric on his website: https://ericoneill.net

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

Is the Chinese military really ready for war? In this episode, Chris and Matt speak with Timothy Heath, a senior international defense researcher at RAND Corporation, about his provocative new report The Chinese Military’s Doubtful Combat Readiness. Heath argues that the PLA remains deeply shaped by its political mission to preserve CCP rule—and is poorly optimized for high-end combat. They discuss how China’s military modernization masks enduring political constraints, why in his view war over Taiwan remains unlikely, and what China might do instead to challenge US interests through proxy warfare, cyber, and global coercion. Heath also explores the CCP’s legitimacy crisis, China’s evolving strategic partnerships with Russia and Iran, and why the specter of global systemic war can’t be ruled out.

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The Chinese Military's Doubtful Combat Readiness: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA830-1.html

Timothy’s other work for the RAND Corporation: https://www.rand.org/about/people/h/heath_timothy_r.html

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.