In this episode, Sam Liechtenstein from RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) joins us to dissect their annual geopolitical forecast. We discussed a range of pressing issues, including:

To find out more about RANE and its annual global forecast, please visit their website here: https://www.ranenetwork.com/

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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.

In this conversation, Chris and author Henry Hemming delve into the intricate world of espionage during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, focusing on the roles of spies, informants, and key figures like Frank Hegarty and Freddy Scappatici. They discuss the political landscape that led to Operation Banner, the evolution of the IRA, and the cultural stigma surrounding informers. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by intelligence operations and the moral complexities involved in espionage.

Get a copy of “Four Shots In The Night” here: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/henry-hemming/four-shots-in-the-night/9781529426786/

Find out more about Henry Hemming and his work here: https://henryhemming.com/

Check out our past interview with Henry about his book “Our Man In New York”: https://pod.fo/e/ca367

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/OWmWkMq3hqM

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Hi everyone, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. 

We also wanted to say a huge thank you to each of you for your support over 2024. We have more episodes to share over the Holidays, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, we hope you have a wonderful holiday period, and we will catch you in 2025 for more.

Support Secrets and Spies

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

In this episode, we’re joined by Florian Flade, an investigative journalist for Germany’s public broadcaster WDR based in Berlin. In this conversation, Florian discusses the activities of Russian research ships that are suspected of espionage. He explains how these ships, while officially labeled as academic vessels, are equipped with advanced technology for intelligence gathering, mainly focusing on critical underwater infrastructure. The conversation delves into the geopolitical implications of these activities, the Russian government's official stance, and the role of Chinese ships in potential sabotage operations.

Additionally, the discussion highlights the legal challenges in addressing maritime espionage and the difficulties in investigating incidents at sea. Florian also discusses NATO's evolving strategies in response to Russian spy ships, particularly in the context of the Baltic Sea. He highlights the increasing urgency and coordination among NATO members, the challenges of hybrid warfare, and the implications for defence spending in Germany.

The discussion also touches on public perceptions of security threats and the historical context of espionage activities, culminating in a personal account of encountering spy ships.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ojllHsImbNk

For more information on these suspected Russian Spy Ships, please check out the links below:

DW Documentary: “Putin’s Fleet”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br3K93-z6PI

DW News: “What are dozens of Russian ships doing in European waters?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f7Nujs1_yY

HI Sutton

http://www.hisutton.com/

Marine Traffic

https://www.marinetraffic.com/

Global Fishing Watch

https://globalfishingwatch.org/map/index

For more information and to connect with Florian please follow the links below:

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

Twitter: https://x.com/FlorianFlade

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

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

After a despotic reign of over five decades, marked by 13 years of bloody civil war that killed over half a million people and displaced millions more, the al-Assad dynasty’s rule over Syria has come to a sudden, shocking end. In just under two weeks, rebel groups mounted an offensive that captured a string of major cities, culminating in the fall of Damascus with barely a shot being fired and Bashar al-Assad fleeing into exile in Moscow. It’s difficult to understate what a complete sea change these events are for Syria and the Middle East. Today, Phillip Smyth returns to help us make sense of how this all unfolded so quickly, so unexpectedly, and what it means for Iran and its proxies like Lebanese Hezbollah, who propped up the Assad regime and counted on Syria as a hub to exert their influence throughout the region.

Read Phillip’s work for West Point’s Combatting Terrorism Center: https://ctc.westpoint.edu/authors/phillip-smyth/

Read Phillip’s past work for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/phillip-smyth

Follow Phillip on Twitter/X: https://x.com/PhillipSmyth

"The Backstory Behind the Fall of Aleppo" by Hassan Hassan and Michael Weiss | New Lines Magazine

"Jihadi ‘Counterterrorism:’ Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Versus the Islamic State" by Aaron Y. Zelin | CTC Sentinel

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Backgrounder | Center for Strategic & International Studies

"Syrian rebels reveal year-long plot that brought down Assad regime" by William Christou | The Guardian

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

In this episode, Matt’s joined by Jack Murphy—former Green Beret, investigative journalist, and host of The Team House podcast. Jack shares insights from his latest book, We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History, which uncovers lesser-known missions that shaped the US special operations community, from Cold War Berlin to nuclear contingencies reminiscent of Dr. Strangelove. Jack delves into the untold stories of units like Special Forces Detachment A and Blue Light, exploring the ingenuity, adaptability, and sacrifices of the men behind these covert operations, reflecting on the evolving role of special operations in today’s world.

Get We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/ref=sr_1_1

Listen to Jack on The Team House: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-team-house/id1492797340

Read’s reporting for The High Side on Substack: https://thehighside.substack.com

Follow Jack on Bluesky & X

https://bsky.app/profile/jackmurphyrgr.bsky.social

https://x.com/JackMurphyRGR

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Retired World Bank Director Nigel Roberts tackles the intractable Israel-Palestine conflict. He dissects the shortcomings of the two-state solution and champions a novel approach: a federation acknowledging both identities. Roberts delves into the historical roots and the radicalisation fuelling the conflict. He argues for a new framework built on a constitutional process, acknowledging the trauma on both sides.

The discussion explores the challenges of public acceptance amidst deep mistrust. Roberts examines the influence of social media and urges international engagement to foster dialogue. Ultimately, he offers a glimmer of hope with the federation model, calling for citizen action and support for initiatives like "A Land for All."

Watch on YouTube

Read the full paper - “An Israeli/Palestinian Federation: An Alternative Approach to Peace“ by Riccardo Bocco and Nigel Roberts

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

In this episode, Matt is joined again by Jacob Ware, a counterterrorism expert with the Council on Foreign Relations and co-author of God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America. They discuss the unsettling question of what far-right extremism, with its proponents feeling emboldened and legitimized by Donald Trump’s election, might look like during his second term in office.

Jacob helps unpack how these movements are evolving, the risks they pose to democratic institutions, and what the next four years might hold for these groups in terms of recruitment, violence, and public visibility of their hateful worldview. It’s a critical conversation we hope you’ll find steers away from hyperbole, focusing instead on historical lessons and current dynamics shaping this moment.

So, grab your coffee—or maybe something stronger—and join us for an in-depth look at the challenges ahead.

Get Jacob’s book God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America:

https://www.cfr.org/book/god-guns-and-sedition

https://www.amazon.com/God-Guns-Sedition-Far-Right-Terrorism/dp/0231211228

Jacob’s work for the Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/expert/jacob-ware

Jacob’s work for Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/contributors/jware

Follow Jacob on Bluesky & X

https://bsky.app/profile/jacobware.bsky.social

https://x.com/Jacob_A_Ware

"Understanding the Threats to US Election Security in 2024" by Kat Duffy & Jacob Ware | Council on Foreign Relations

"The Terrorist Threat from the Fractured Far Right" by Bruce Hoffman & Jacob Ware | Lawfare

"The Proud Boys Love a Winner" by Juliette Kayyem | The Atlantic

"Far-right extremists celebrate, see opportunity in second Trump win" by Hannah Allam | The Washington Post

"Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon pick, sparks alarm over far-right extremism" by Alice Herman | The Guardian

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies

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

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt examine the potentially seismic shifts for the US and the Western alliance if Trump executes his plans to overhaul the federal workforce. They discuss the risk of a mass exodus of career officials, the politicization of intelligence agencies, and the broader implications for national security. They also explore Garrett Graff’s thought-provoking scenarios for America’s future, comparing the possibility of federal collapse to a fragmented state-driven system akin to Europe. In addition, the hosts explore Russia’s alleged GRU-led sabotage of European air cargo hubs, assessing how these operations fit into a broader strategy of hybrid warfare. The episode wraps up with a discussion on satire’s role in media, sparked by The Onion’s satirical purchase of Infowars, an incisive critique of the growing overlap between parody and disinformation in the modern media landscape.

Watch us on YouTube

https://youtu.be/oZ5pv31_60w

Articles discussed in today’s episode

“Trump’s Deep State Revenge” by Shane Harris | The Atlantic

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/intelligence-agencies-trump-loyalists/680625/

“Two scenarios for the years ahead” by Garrett Graff | Doomsday Scenario

https://www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/two-scenarios-for-the-years-ahead

“Mystery fires were Russian 'test runs' to target cargo flights to US” by Paul Kirby | BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07912lxx33o

“The Onion’s Most Trenchant Headline” by Megan Garber | The Atlantic

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/11/onion-infowars-acquisition-satire/680667/

Click here to tune into our Patreon Show Extra Shot:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-cias-116617245?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Support Secrets and Spies

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies

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Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

We wanted to drop a quick update about the podcast this weekend. New episodes of Espresso Martini and our Patreon-exclusive show, Extra Shot, are running just a little behind schedule. Listeners in the US and the UK can expect them in their feeds on Sunday. For our friends Down Under, that’ll probably be Monday.

Both are still on the way, just not on Saturday, as expected. We thank you for your patience. Enjoy your weekend, everyone.