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The Spy Who

Latest episodes

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Aug 13, 2024 • 42min

The Spy Who Sold Peace to the IRA | A Divided Land | 1

When Willie Carlin quits the British Army to return to Northern Ireland during The Troubles, he gets an unusual job offer: to spy on his own catholic community.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Aug 6, 2024 • 39min

The Spy Who Defused the Missile Crisis | Unpacking the mind of a spy legend | 5

Oleg Penkovsky, a complex and controversial spy, grabs the spotlight alongside Tristan Donovan, a writer and executive producer, and Jack Basu-Mellish, host of the LSE Cold War Podcast. They dive deep into Penkovsky's motives—heroic or egotistical? The conversation also covers the Cold War's lasting global impact and the critical events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Listeners will gain insights on intelligence interpretation and the importance of communication in diplomacy, all while pondering the reliability of history.
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Jul 30, 2024 • 41min

The Spy Who Defused the Missile Crisis | Code Nuclear | 4

Oleg Penkovsky, a double agent instrumental in Cold War intelligence, recounts his covert operations while being chased by KGB forces. Janet Chisholm, an MI6 officer, shares insights on their tense encounters amid the Cuban Missile Crisis. They delve into the high-stakes moments that nearly led to nuclear disaster and the harrowing consequences of espionage, including a dramatic kidnapping in Budapest. The discussion culminates in a reflection on Penkovsky's legacy—whether he’s a hero or a tragic figure shaped by his choices.
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Jul 23, 2024 • 43min

The Spy Who Defused the Missile Crisis | Manoeuvres in Moscow | 3

Key figure in Soviet espionage, Oleg Penkovsky, feeds secrets to MI6 amidst Berlin Crisis. Tense covert meetings in Moscow, risks faced by Penkovsky, and the drama of navigating secrets and dangers highlighted in the podcast.
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Jul 16, 2024 • 40min

The Spy Who Defused the Missile Crisis | Hero or Madman? | 2

A high-stakes espionage game unfolds as Oleg Penkovsky shares Soviet secrets, suggests a controversial nuclear strike, and undertakes risky espionage missions in Moscow. CIA and MI6 navigate undercover operations, tight security measures, and covert meetings to prevent a potential nuclear war and gather crucial intelligence.
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Jul 9, 2024 • 42min

The Spy Who Defused the Missile Crisis | The Stranger In Red Square | 1

It’s 1960. The world hangs on the brink of nuclear war. But in Moscow, a man’s about to emerge from the shadows with an offer for the CIA. His name is Oleg Penkovsky and he wants to supply the US with the Soviet Union’s greatest nuclear secrets. But is he for real or part of an elaborate trap?Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 1, 2024 • 47min

The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Aimen Dean talks about his time as MI6's Top Spy Inside Al-Qaeda | 5

Former MI6 undercover agent, Aimen Dean, shares his thrilling experiences as a double agent inside Al-Qaeda, revealing the dangers, betrayals, and challenges faced in espionage work. He discusses his motivations for spying for the British, the realities of being a spy compared to Hollywood portrayals, and the abrupt end of his undercover career after being outed by the US. The podcast provides an intriguing insight into the life of a spy and the complexities of gathering intelligence on terrorist activities.
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Jun 24, 2024 • 40min

The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Death Sentence | 4

Aimen Dean is now on a mission to thwart a deadly plot to release poison gas on the New York Subway. But when his British spymasters decide to alert the U.S. to the threat, Dean’s deception begins to unravel.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jun 17, 2024 • 39min

The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Twin Towers | 3

Aimen Dean is now working undercover posing as a loyal jihadi in Afghanistan, while actually spying for the British intelligence service MI6. And he knows that one mistake is all it will take to wind up dead. But that’s not his only worry because the sense that al-Qaeda’s got a major plot in the works is growing by the day.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jun 10, 2024 • 38min

The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Londonistan | 2

Aimen Dean is trapped. He wants out of al-Qaeda and Afghanistan, but no one gets to leave the jihadi training camps without permission. So when a missile strike hands him the perfect excuse to leave he seizes the chance to break free.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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