CNN’s Jake Tapper joins Matt to discuss his new book Race Against Terror, a gripping true story of the US hunt and prosecution of an al-Qaeda fighter named Spin Ghul. They trace the case’s origins in Italy and Afghanistan, its lessons about justice and accountability after 9/11, and what it reveals about how America wages its “forever war.” Tapper reflects on writing trauma without spectacle, the moral limits of the War on Terror, and the investigators who quietly uphold the rule of law amid politics and fear. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, global affairs, and current events. Order Race Against Terror, and see Jake’s tour schedule: https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/jake-tapper-books Follow Jake on Twitter/X: https://x.com/jaketapper Follow Jake on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jaketapper.bsky.social Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/33b7d5 YouTube: https://youtu.be/xgvzA0bCOKw Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photo by Elliott O'Donovan 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.

This week, Chris and Matt break down Pete Hegseth’s speech at Quantico, where he and President Trump summoned 800 generals and admirals for what turned out to be a culture-war lecture on grooming standards and “wokeness.” They examine what it says about civil-military relations in Trump’s second term and the risks in treating the armed forces as a political prop. Then they turn to the Secret Service’s discovery of a massive SIM-card farm in New York linked to swatting threats and fraud, and what it reveals about the intersection of cybercrime, sabotage, and telecom vulnerabilities. From there, they look at how the US government shutdown is playing out inside the intelligence community—why frontline missions continue while contractors and support staff face furloughs that erode resilience. Finally, they discuss MI6’s launch of a new dark-web tool called Silent Courier, designed to encourage potential sources to walk in virtually, and weigh the promises and dangers of this digital era of espionage. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Train Like a Spy with SpyQ - Use this discount code for 10% off - SECRETS&SPIES10 Find out more information about SpyQ and register: https://www.spyq.co.uk/ John Le Carré: Tradecraft @ The Bodleian Library in Oxford 1st Oct  - 6th April https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/336e28 YouTube: https://youtu.be/CCXcBQkPtec Articles discussed in today’s episode "A Novice Defense Secretary Lectures the Brass on What It Takes to Win" by Greg Jaffe | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/us/politics/hegseth-military-officers.html "Trump Gave the Military’s Brass a Rehashed Speech. Until Minute 44." by Shawn McCreesh | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/us/politics/trump-military-brass-speech.html "Secret Service traced swatting threats against officials. They found 300 servers capable of crippling New York’s cell system" by John Miller & Celina Tebor | CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/23/us/swatting-investigation-server-network-discovered "Six key questions about the dismantled network capable of crippling New York’s cell system" by David J. Lopez | CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/27/us/nyc-network-secret-service-investigation "'SIM Farms’ Are a Spam Plague. A Giant One in New York Threatened US Infrastructure, Feds Say" by Andy Greenberg, Lily Hay Newman & Matt Burgess | WIRED: https://www.wired.com/story/sim-farm-new-york-threatened-us-infrastructure-feds-say/ "The Shutdown and the Spies" by Jeff Stein | SpyTalk: https://www.spytalk.co/p/the-shutdown-and-the-spies "Silent Courier: UK intelligence service MI6 launches dark web portal to recruit foreign spies" by Nick Paton Walsh | CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/18/europe/mi6-silent-courier-dark-web-spies-intelligence-intl What else we’re reading this week "After US strikes, Iran increases work at mysterious underground site" by Warren P. Strobel and Jarrett Ley | The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/26/iran-underground-nuclear-us/ "Pete Hegseth Is Living the Dream" by Eliot A. Cohen | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/09/pete-hegseth-quantico/684423/ "The aide, the associate, the ‘Chinese agent’ – and the collapse of a long-awaited UK spy trial" by Dan Sabbagh and Amy Hawkins | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/20/collapse-uk-spy-trial-china-christopher-cash-christopher-berry "Rash of Russian breaches of NATO airspace brings calls for shootdown response" by John Vandiver | Stars and Stripes: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-09-22/nato-russia-airspace-violations-19180208.html "Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Air Combat Drone That Puts A Premium On Stealth" by Joseph Trevithick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/skunk-works-unveils-vectis-air-combat-drone-that-puts-a-premium-on-stealth "Russia is helping prepare China to attack Taiwan, documents suggest" by Catherine Belton and Christian Shepherd | The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/26/russia-china-weapons-sales-air-assault/ 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 Photos by Doug Mills/NYT 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.

On todays special podcast, Chris is joined by Gavin Stone and James Foster to discuss “Spy-Q,” a tradecraft-for-civilians training event that turns elicitation, deception detection, influence, behavioural profiling, resilience, and memory techniques into practical tools you can actually use.  Find out more information about SpyQ and register: https://www.spyq.co.uk/ Use this discount code for 10% off - SECRETS&SPIES10 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 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.

Nearly a year after Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus, Syria is struggling to chart a path forward. This week, Matt is joined by Aaron Zelin of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who has just returned from a rare trip inside the country where he met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They unpack Sharaa’s unlikely rise from jihadist commander to head of state, the sectarian bloodshed testing his grip on power, Israel’s relentless strikes and regional pressure, and the uneasy standoff with Kurdish forces in the northeast. From shattered infrastructure to fragile diplomacy, Aaron offers a first-hand look at a nation caught between rebuilding and relapse—and what the world should watch as Syria faces its most uncertain crossroads in decades. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. More of Aaron’s work: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/aaron-y-zelin Read Aaron’s Substack, Jihadology+: https://www.jihadologyplus.com Read Aaron’s past work for Jihadology: https://jihadology.net Follow Aaron on Twitter/X: https://x.com/azelin Follow Aaron on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/azelin.bsky.social Aaron’s analysis for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy "Sharaa Goes to the United Nations" by Aaron Zelin | Policy Watch 4108: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/sharaa-goes-united-nations "Delisting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham: Implications for US Counterterrorism and Syria Policy" by Aaron Zelin | Policy Watch 4077: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/delisting-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-implications-us-counterterrorism-and-syria-policy "Trump Meets Sharaa: Writing a New Chapter in US-Syria Relations" | Policy Watch 4039: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/trump-meets-sharaa-writing-new-chapter-us-syria-relations Further reporting for this episode "For the first time in nearly six decades, a Syrian president steps up to speak at the UN" by Jennifer Peltz & Bassem Mroue | AP: https://apnews.com/article/syria-united-nations-unga-c0471a2f7faece79fe15793fb0466501 "From al-Qaida to the Upper East Side: Syria’s new leader makes his debut on the world stage" by Andrew Roth | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/24/ahmed-al-sharaa-united-nations-syria "Syria’s President Says Border Deal With Israel Could Come 'Within Days’" by Ben Hubbard | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/world/middleeast/syria-israel.html "Syria risks rupturing as armed camps face off across the Euphrates" by John Davison, Orhan Qereman, Khalil Ashawi & Feras Dalatey | Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/investigations/syria-risks-rupturing-armed-camps-face-off-across-euphrates-2025-09-19/ Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/332708 YouTube: https://youtu.be/KDuPo7yiUIU Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Richard Drew/AP & AFP 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.

In this week’s episode, Chris and Matt take another look at the political assault on the US intelligence community and its strain on Five Eyes, pushing partners to question sharing or holding information back, even as the core bonds endure for now. Chris then previews “Spy-Q,” a tradecraft-for-civilians training event that turns elicitation, deception detection, influence, behavioral profiling, resilience, and memory techniques into practical tools you can actually use. Finally, they unpack Israel’s audacious, long-range strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, the immediate blowback, and how Israeli intelligence refused to participate. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/32e18a YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGwtAuQtA4I Spy Q event with Gavin Stone and James Foster Find more information and register: https://www.spyq.co.uk/ Discount code for 10% off - SECRETS&SPIES10 Articles discussed in today’s episode "The War on American Intelligence" by Matthew Savill | Royal United Services Institute: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/war-american-intelligence "Inside Israel’s Audacious Airstrike on Hamas Leaders in Qatar, a US Ally" by Dov Lieber, Summer Said & Lara Seligman | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/inside-israels-audacious-airstrike-on-hamas-leaders-in-qatar-a-u-s-ally-89104bcd "Israeli intelligence agency balked at Netanyahu’s strike in Qatar" by Gerry Shih, Shira Rubin, Karen DeYoung & Souad Mekhennet | The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/12/mossad-israel-qatar-strike-hamas/ "Israel Executes Unprecedented Strike On Hamas Leadership In Qatar" by Howard Altman & Joseph Trevithick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/israel-executes-unprecedented-strike-on-hamas-leadership-in-qatar "Netanyahu spoke to Trump before Israel bombed Qatar" by Barak Ravid | Axios: https://www.axios.com/2025/09/15/trump-netanyahu-call-israel-strike-qatar What else we’re reading this week "How a Top Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission Into North Korea Fell Apart" by David Phillips and Matthew Cole | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/navy-seal-north-korea-trump-2019.html "Homeland Needs To Be Able To Survive A 'Punch In The Nose' According To Former NORAD Chief" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/homeland-needs-to-be-able-to-survive-a-punch-in-the-nose-according-to-former-norad-chief "This Company Turns Dashcams into ‘Virtual CCTV Cameras.’ Then Hackers Got In" by Joseph Cox | 404 Media: https://www.404media.co/this-company-turns-dashcams-into-virtual-cctv-cameras-then-hackers-got-in 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 Photos by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters, Jacqueline Penney/AFP & IDF 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.

On this week’s episode, investigative journalist Florian Flade joins Chris to uncover three little-known German intelligence operations from the Cold War and their aftermath: supporting the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, secretly buying Soviet weapons from demoralized troops in East Germany, and covertly shipping GDR arms to Israel. Florian explains how these missions reflected Germany’s risk-taking intelligence culture, the close ties with allies like the CIA and Mossad, and the lessons they still carry for today as modern battlefields like Ukraine become testing grounds for foreign weaponry. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Follow Florian’s blog and connect on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/florianflade.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://x.com/FlorianFlade Blog: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/ Florian’s reporting discussed in the episode "When the BND Supported the Mujahideen" | Taggeshau: https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/wdr/bnd-mudschaheddin-101.html "Summer Rain in the Hindu Kush" | Verschlusssache: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/2021/09/06/sommerregen-am-hindukusch/ "Treasures of Steel" | Verschlusssache: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/2022/12/01/schatze-aus-stahl/ "The 'Agricultural Machinery Affair'" | Verschlusssache: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/2025/08/11/die-landmaschinen-affare/ "The BND and the Yom Kippur War" | Verschlusssache: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/2022/10/06/der-bnd-und-der-jom-kippur-krieg/ Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/329e4b YouTube: https://youtu.be/fYZClRjdEpY Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters 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.

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.

In this episode, Matt speaks with Nicolo Majnoni, creator of The Shadow Kingdom podcast, about his new season investigating the murder of union reformer Jock Yablonski and the battle to reclaim America’s most powerful coal union from corruption and violence. They explore how union boss Tony Boyle turned the United Mine Workers into a personal fiefdom, why Yablonski’s democratic challenge cost him his life, and how, in response, a band of young outsiders helped bring the system down. It’s a story of murder and accountability, of power’s authoritarian temptations, and of how fragile—and how hard-won—American democracy can be. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Subscribe to The Shadow Kingdom: Coal Survivor: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/shadow-kingdom/ Find more about Nicolo and his work: https://www.nicolomajnoni.com Follow Nicolo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolomajnoni/ Order Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America by Mark Bradley: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393652536 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by AP, Getty Images & Arin Sang-urai Secrets and Spies is a spy podcast that 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.

In this episode, Chris speaks with Chad Lewis, author of The Persuasion Game, about how foreign influence operations exploit Western political vulnerabilities. Chad discusses the rise of Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns, the use of political operatives and lobbyists to bypass formal institutions using shadow diplomacy. The conversation explores how narratives are seeded, legitimized, and weaponized in US and UK politics, drawing on case studies involving Ukraine, authoritarian networks, and digital propaganda. Chad also reflects on how disinformation has reshaped public trust, democratic institutions, and international relations in the 21st century. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Order The Persuasion Game: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/bookstore/timely-politics-and-current-affairs/the-persuasion-game/ Find more about Chad and his work: https://chadlewis.net Subscribe to Chad’s Substack: https://chadlewis11.substack.com Follow Chad on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chad1ewis.bsky.social Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/31b229 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ep6Uv_Rgm6k 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 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by AP/Andrew Harnik & Jose Luis Magana Secrets and Spies is a spy podcast that 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.

Award-winning journalist John Beck joins Chris to discuss Those Who Should Be Seized Should Be Seized, his harrowing account of China’s campaign against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities. Beck traces the lives of four people—from re-education camps in Xinjiang to exile in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and the US—revealing how Beijing’s reach extends far beyond its borders through intimidation, surveillance, and coercion. They explore mass detention, forced labor, and the destruction of culture; the weaponization of bureaucracy; and the role of literature and quiet resistance in preserving identity. Beck also examines the muted global response, the complicity of some governments, and the authoritarian playbook that turns Xinjiang into both a warning and a testing ground for repression worldwide. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Order Those Who Should Be Seized Should Be Seized: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774464/those-who-should-be-seized-should-be-seized-by-john-beck/ Follow John on Twitter/X: https://x.com/jm_beck Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/314e5b YouTube: https://youtu.be/h-FPBf1jIJY 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 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Kemal Aslan/Depo Photos 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.

How does financial architecture shape the global order? Chris is joined by Emmanuel Daniel—author of The Great Transition and founder of TAB Global—for a sweeping look at how banking, capital markets, and emerging technologies are redefining geopolitics. They explore the evolution of the US dollar, the impact of digital currencies, and whether China can build a viable alternative to Western capital markets. Emmanuel explains how the US became a financial superpower, why tariffs may backfire, and how AI and blockchain are transforming both power and inequality. Plus: why the next dominant players may not be large states at all. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Find more about Emmanuel on his website: https://www.emmanueldaniel.com Follow Emmanuel on Twitter/X: https://x.com/#!/EmmanuelDaniel 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?aff=oddtdtcreator Please share the episode: Audio: https://pod.fo/e/30e0a0 Video: https://youtu.be/AF_LsbqpN9c Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Secrets and Spies is a spy podcast that 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.

How do we make sense of truth in a world saturated with content? This week, Chris speaks with Alicia Wanless—director of the Information Environment Project at the Carnegie Endowment and author of The Information Animal—to explore how humans have always wrestled with information, long before the internet. They unpack the patterns that emerge when new technologies reshape how we communicate, why influence operations aren’t new, and how today’s information warfare fits into a much older story. From ancient Athens to spam, and social media to national security, Wanless explains why understanding ourselves as “information animals” is key to confronting the chaos of the digital age. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Find more about Alicia on her website and blog: https://lageneralista.com Find more about the Carnegie Endowment’s Information Project: https://carnegieendowment.org/projects/information-environment-project Follow Alicia on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lageneralista.ca Order The Information Animal: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/05/the-information-animal-humans-technology-and-the-competition-for-reality Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/3083cd YouTube: https://youtu.be/7nsXSlXoiBU Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photo by Alicja Nowakowska/iStock Secrets and Spies is a spy podcast that 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.

This week, Matt is joined by terrorism researcher Jacob Ware to unpack the rise of nihilistic violent extremism—attacks carried out by disaffected young men radicalized online without any clear political goal. They explore how social media fuels this chaotic new threat, why the FBI created a new classification for it, and what makes networks like 764 and the Order of Nine Angles so dangerous. Then, they turn to the recent string of violent antisemitic attacks in the US and what they reveal about the blurred lines between far-left, far-right, and jihadist extremism. It’s a disturbing look at the future of terrorism, and what it means when violence itself becomes the ideology. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. 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 & Twitter/X: https://bsky.app/profile/jacobware.bsky.social https://x.com/Jacob_A_Ware Reporting discussed in the episode "Nihilistic Violent Extremism: A Valuable Stride Forward in American Counterterrorism" by Jacob Ware | Just Security: https://www.justsecurity.org/113463/nihilistic-violent-extremism-american-counterterrorism/ "Killing for Nothing: The Bizarre Logic of the Palm Springs Bomber" by Luke Baumgartner | Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/killing-for-nothing--the-bizarre-logic-of-the-palm-springs-bomber "Order of Nine Angles" by Nick Lowles | Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/2019/02/16/state-of-hate-2019-order-of-nine-angles/ "The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S." by Callum Sutherland | Time Magazine: https://time.com/7287941/rise-of-antisemitism-political-violence-in-united-states/ "Court papers say suspect in embassy killings declared, ‘I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza’" by Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman, and Alanna Durkin Richer | Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 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.

Author and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild joins Chris to unpack the rise, evolution, and enduring influence of QAnon. They explore its blend of old and new conspiracies, its gamified social appeal, and the algorithmic fuel behind its viral spread. Mike explains how QAnon adapted across borders, embedded itself into mainstream politics, and fostered real-world violence—culminating in the January 6 Capitol attack. They also examine QAnon’s psychological grip, its creative and authoritarian appeal, and how families and societies can respond. Plus, COVID’s role in supercharging conspiracies, why Russia’s role may be overstated, and the challenges of countering disinformation in the age of social media. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Order The Storm Is Upon Us from Penguin and Hachette: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676746/the-storm-is-upon-us-by-mike-rothschild/ https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/mike-rothschild/the-storm-is-upon-us/9781800960459/ Learn more about Mike and his work: https://themikerothschild.com Follow Mike on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rothschildmd.bsky.social Follow Mike on Twitter/X: https://x.com/rothschildmd Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2fea53 YouTube: https://youtu.be/xnrXBtzdpWc Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Win McNamee, Brent Stirton & Stephanie Keith/Getty & Terica Adkins 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.

The MAGA movement cracks as Trump’s name surfaces in the Epstein files and his administration fails to deliver the promised disclosures. We unpack the backlash, the conspiracies, and the lingering question of an intelligence connection to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Plus: a bizarre UK spy case involving Russia, a USB stick, and a bicycle seat; the Arctic emerges as a flashpoint for missile defense, climate competition, and great power rivalry; and Trump’s reversal clears the way for new weapons to reach Ukraine—just not from the US directly. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/302d13 YouTube: https://youtu.be/RnuC7wNNYiM Articles discussed in today’s episode "Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files" by Sadie Gurman, Annie Linskey, Josh Dawsey & Alex Leary | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038 "Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and the Three Conspiracy-Theory Theories" by Jon Allsop | The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/fault-lines/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-and-three-conspiracy-theory-theories "Epstein, Maxwell, and the Intelligence Question We’re Not Asking" by Frank Snepp | Frank Snepp 360 Substack: https://snepp.substack.com/p/epstein-maxwell-and-the-intelligence "The struggle for control of the Arctic is accelerating - and riskier than ever" by Gordon Corera | BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-f92bc043-3893-4688-8937-fd9cad8b0d5b "British man guilty of trying to spy for Russia" by Lewis Adams | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn0ygwd7jo "Ukraine Will Get US Weapons in a New Way. Here’s What We Know." by Lara Jakes | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/ukraine-weapons-us-nato.html "Trump Sends Weapons to Ukraine: By the Numbers" by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park | Center for Strategic & International Studies: https://www.csis.org/analysis/trump-sends-weapons-ukraine-numbers What else we’re reading this week "Anti-Woke Dad Who Fled With Family to Russia Sent to War Zone" by Josh Fiallo | The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/texan-moved-fam-to-russia-to-flee-wokenow-hes-headed-to-ukraine-front-line/ "New U.S. assessment finds American strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites" by Gordon Lubold, Courtney Kube, Julie Tsirkin, Katherine Doyle, Dan De Luce & Carol E. Lee | NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/new-us-assessment-finds-american-strikes-destroyed-only-one-three-iran-rcna218761 "It’s hunting season in orbit as Russia’s killer satellites mystify skywatchers" by Stephen Clark | Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07/its-hunting-season-in-orbit-as-russias-killer-satellites-mystify-skywatchers/ "'Sparring in space' – BBC gains rare access to US base tracking global missile strikes" by Jonathan Beale | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8k2nd7e9no "Trump’s War on the ‘Deep State’ Comes for the Dogs" by Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/archive/2025/07/james-clapper-cia-dog-trump/683575/ "USAF Denies It Refueled Israel’s Fighters During War With Iran" by Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/u-s-denies-it-provided-aerial-tanker-support-for-israels-war-against-iran 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 Photos by Davidoff Studios 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.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tim Weiner joins Matt to discuss The Mission, his new history of the CIA in the 21st century. They explore the agency’s quiet successes and moral failings, from dismantling the AQ Khan network to abetting torture and losing its way in Iraq. Weiner recounts how the CIA reoriented after the 2016 Russian election interference, played a key role in supporting Ukraine, and tried to hold the line under Trump. Their conversation spans secret wars, agency leadership, and whether America’s intelligence services can still defend democracy when democracy itself is under threat. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. More about The Mission: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-mission-tim-weiner Order The Mission from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-mission-the-cia-in-the-21st-century-tim-weiner/22062129 Follow Tim on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tim-weiner.bsky.social Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2fa57b YouTube: https://youtu.be/pFMaXhPcNO8 Reviews of The Mission "The Mission by Tim Weiner review – unmasking the CIA" by John Simpson | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/10/the-mission-by-tim-weiner-review-unmasking-the-cia "The Mission" by Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780063270183 "Mission Madness" by Loch K. Johnson | Spytalk: https://www.spytalk.co/p/mission-madness Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Harper Collins, Jessica Doyle & CIA 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.

Matt is joined by nonproliferation expert Joe Cirincione to unpack what the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran actually achieved—and what they didn’t. They discuss the extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program, why military action alone can’t stop a country from getting the bomb, and what a viable diplomatic path forward might look like. Joe breaks down the technical realities of uranium enrichment and covert weapons development, explores whether Iran now has the intent as well as the capability to build a nuclear weapon, and explains how this crisis risks pushing the world back toward nuclear anarchy. They also consider what future proliferators might be learning from the Iran case, and what comes next for the global arms control regime. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Follow Joe on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joecirin.bsky.social Follow Joe’s Substack: https://joecirincione.substack.com Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f82e0 YouTube: https://youtu.be/IFJAPL9dg4A Additional reading for the episode "Iran and the Changing Character of the Nonproliferation Regime" by Joseph Rodgers | Center for Strategic & International Studies: https://www.csis.org/analysis/iran-and-changing-character-nonproliferation-regime "Disruption or Dismantlement: Diverging Assessments of Iran Nuclear Strikes" by Bailey Schiff | CSIS Next-Generation Nuclear Network: https://nuclearnetwork.csis.org/disruption-or-dismantlement-diverging-assessments-of-iran-nuclear-strikes/ "Post-Attack Assessment of the First 12 Days of Israeli and US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities" by David Albright, Spencer Faragasso, and the Good ISIS Team | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/post-attack-assessment-of-the-first-12-days-of-israeli-strikes-on-iranian-nuclear-facilities "Going for the Bomb: Part I, Pathways and Timelines" by David Albright | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/going-for-the-bomb-part-i-pathways-and-timelines "Going for the Bomb: Part II, Tasks to Make a Crude Nuclear Weapon" by David Albright and Andrea Stricker | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/going-for-the-bomb-part-ii-tasks-to-make-a-crude-nuclear-weapon "Iran Suspends Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog" by Erika Solomon and Sanam Mahoozi | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-iaea.html "Pentagon Says US Strike Delayed Iran’s Nuclear Program by Up to Two Years" by Lara Seligman and Michael R. Gordon | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/pentagon-says-u-s-strike-delayed-irans-nuclear-program-by-up-to-two-years-8d51eb81 "What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?" by Kali Robinson | Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-iran-nuclear-deal Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto & Hossein Beris/Middle East Images 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.

This week, Matt and Chris break down the recent NATO summit, where Trump’s presence loomed large—even as the alliance bent over backwards to avoid a blow-up. Matt argues that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s cringe-worthy text to Trump might’ve been politically shrewd, and the guys dive into Europe’s growing defense commitments, defense-industrial capacity, and public skepticism over military spending. Then, they take a hard look at presidential war powers in the wake of Trump’s strikes on Iran, using Syria 2013 as a case study in how Congress has repeatedly abdicated its role. Plus, the latest from Ukraine’s northeast front, troubling delays in US weapons aid, and a brief tour through MI5 misconduct and Chinese ekranoplans. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f61e2 YouTube: https://youtu.be/azrIT9j_sjw Articles discussed in today’s episode "Five key priorities for NATO after the summit in The Hague – and how to make progress" by Armida van Rij and Kajsa Ollongren | Chatham House: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/06/five-key-priorities-nato-after-summit-hague-and-how-make-progress "A tale of two summits" by Nicholas Dungan | European Leadership Network: https://europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/a-tale-of-two-summits/ "Iran and the War Powers Problem" by POGO Staff | Project on Government Oversight: https://www.pogo.org/analysis/iran-and-the-war-powers-problem "Does the president need Congress to approve military actions in Iran?" by Scott Bomboy | National Constitution Center: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/does-the-president-need-congress-to-approve-military-actions-in-iran "Fight On Ukraine’s Northern Border Sees Elite Troops Poured In From Both Sides" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/fight-on-ukraines-northern-border-sees-elite-troops-poured-in-from-both-sides What else we’re reading this week "The Sheikh Who Conquered Soccer and Coddles Warlords" by Declan Walsh and Tariq Panja | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/world/middleeast/emirates-manchester-city-soccer-sudan.html "China Builds New Large Jet-Powered Ekranoplan" by H I Sutton | Naval News: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/china-builds-new-jet-powered-large-ekranoplan/ "Judges order 'robust' inquiry into MI5 false evidence" by Daniel De Simone | BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d6e4d8v8mo.amp "Royal Air Force Goes Nuclear With F-35A" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/royal-air-force-goes-nuclear-with-f-35a "A confidential brief urges the ICC to investigate Wagner’s promotion of atrocities in West Africa" by Monika Pronczuk and Sam Mednick | Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/wagner-russia-videos-war-crimes-mali-burkina-icc-c4dc7d04846d02b014ed4c645d265475 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 Photos by NATO 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.

The U.S.  just carried out its most significant strikes on Iran in 45 years. President Trump declared victory, but his intelligence agencies aren’t so sure. This week, Matt is joined by The Atlantic’s Shane Harris to unpack what we actually know about the strikes’ effectiveness, the fractured intel picture behind them, and how DNI Tulsi Gabbard has navigated the fallout. They discuss her eroding influence, the internal backlash to her public testimony, and what her tenure reveals about the growing politicization of the intelligence community—and the risks when presidents try to shape intel to match their narrative. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Follow Shane on Bluesky & Twitter/X https://bsky.app/profile/shaneharris.bsky.social https://x.com/shaneharris Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f45bb YouTube: https://youtu.be/8uh-4-WftPM Reporting discussed in the episode "Tulsi Gabbard Chooses Loyalty to Trump" by Isaac Stanley-Becker & Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/tulsi-gabbard-trump-iran/683323/ "Thank You for Your Attention to This Matter!" by Missy Ryan, Shane Harris, Isaac Stanley-Becker & Jonathan Lemire | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/israel-iran-trump-truth-social/683306/ "The True Impact of Trump’s Strike on Iran" by Missy Ryan, Jonathan Lemire, Ashley Parker, Isaac Stanley-Becker & Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/iran-nuclear-damage-trump/683294/ "Trump Changed. The Intelligence Didn’t." by Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/trump-changed-the-intelligence-didnt/683289/ "Trump’s Two-Week Window for Diplomacy Was a Smoke Screen" by Michael Scherer, Missy Ryan, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Shane Harris & Jonathan Lemire | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/trump-israel-iran-bomb/683275/ "How Israel Executed Its Surprise Assault on Iran" by Isaac Stanley-Becker and Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/how-israel-surprised-iran/683184/ Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our 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 Photos by The White House & Vahid Salemi/AP 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.

This week, Chris and Matt return for an emergency deep dive on Operation Midnight Hammer, the largest US strike on Iran since 1979. They break down what the bombing raid and actually achieved, why initial White House claims of “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program don’t hold up to scrutiny, and what the intelligence community’s more cautious battle damage assessments reveal. They also unpack the legal debate around preemptive strikes, Israel’s unfinished campaign against Iran, and the risk of a new status quo in which these strikes become routine. Plus, Denis Villeneuve takes on Bond, and Chris dares to revisit the great “blonde Bond” panic of 2005. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f0e51 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIM_ga7TiU8 Articles discussed in today’s episode "Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran" by Mark Mazzetti, Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Eric Schmitt & Helene Cooper | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/us/politics/trump-iran-decision-strikes.html "Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say" by Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis & Zachary Cohen | CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/intel-assessment-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites "Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says" by Julian E. Barnes, Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt, Ronen Bergman, Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/iran-nuclear-sites.html "Israeli officials see 'significant' damage to Iran's nuclear facilities" by Barak Ravid & Zachary Basu | Axios: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/25/iran-nuclear-program-israel-damage-intelligence "In New Assessment, C.I.A. Chief Says U.S. Strikes ‘Severely Damaged’ Iranian Program" by Julian E. Barnes, Mark Mazzetti & Maggie Haberman | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear.html "Centrifuges at Fordo ‘No Longer Operational,’ U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Head Says" by Aurelien Breeden | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/world/middleeast/centrifuges-fordo-damage-iran.html “Post-Attack Assessment of the First 12 Days of Israeli and U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities” by David Albright & Spencer Faragasso | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/post-attack-assessment-of-the-first-12-days-of-israeli-strikes-on-iranian-nuclear-facilities "Questions on the Fordo Strike (Wonky)" by Cheryl Rofer | Lawyers, Guns, Money: https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2025/06/questions-on-the-fordo-strike-wonky "Everything We Just Learned About The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Strikes On Iran" by Joseph Trevithick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/gbu-57-massive-ordnance-penetrator-strikes-on-iran-everything-we-just-learned "Largest Patriot Missile Salvo In U.S. Military History Launched Defending Al Udeid Air Base Against Iranian Attack" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/land/largest-patriot-salvo-in-u-s-military-history-launched-defending-al-udeid-air-base-against-iranian-missiles 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 Photos by USAF 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.