STR: Suspicious Transaction Report
Royal United Services Institute
From the team analysing the intersection of finance and security, tune into compelling conversations on the real-world impact of global illicit finance.
This podcast explores the financial dimensions of today's leading transnational security challenges. Host Tom Keatinge and the team from the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI bring you unique insights on the challenges posed by illicit finance and practical analysis of the policy responses. They interview top thinkers and influential voices who unpack the complex world of money laundering, corruption, sanctions evasion and illicit flows, and explain how this shapes the evolving global security landscape, and what democracies and international institutions must do to stay ahead when it comes to the financial dimensions of the global threat outlook.
Suspicious Transaction Report is also home to CFS's 'Financial Crime Insights' podcast, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
This podcast explores the financial dimensions of today's leading transnational security challenges. Host Tom Keatinge and the team from the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI bring you unique insights on the challenges posed by illicit finance and practical analysis of the policy responses. They interview top thinkers and influential voices who unpack the complex world of money laundering, corruption, sanctions evasion and illicit flows, and explain how this shapes the evolving global security landscape, and what democracies and international institutions must do to stay ahead when it comes to the financial dimensions of the global threat outlook.
Suspicious Transaction Report is also home to CFS's 'Financial Crime Insights' podcast, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 3, 2023 • 34min
Hamas Financing
Before 7 October 2023, the terrorist threat posed by Hamas was largely clouded by preoccupation with geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war in Ukraine. But not anymore. Hamas's coordinated attacks on Israel and the resultant conflict has made the terror group's threat and its financing unavoidable. Host Stephen Reimer unpacks the key issues and debunks some common myths at the heart of the Hamas financing story with Jessica Davis of Insight Threat Intelligence and Matthew Levitt of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Oct 20, 2023 • 34min
Debanking in the Spotlight
Recently, the political class in Westminster has been consumed with with the conduct of bank accounts or, more specifically, when these are being closed, unilaterally, by banks. It's a long running problem. Might the spotlight brought to the issue by Nigel Farage finally create some overdue action by the UK government? In this episode, host Tom Keatinge is joined by Izabella Kaminska from Politico and the Blind Spot, and Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan, the Financial Times' banking and fintech correspondent, to explore what has been going on – and why the Farage farrago is perhaps old wine in new bottles.
Oct 6, 2023 • 42min
Losing its Legitimacy? The Future of the FATF
As multilateral organisations battle strong geopolitical headwinds, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the global financial crime watchdog – is not immune to such pressures. Indeed, it faces a range of challenges that are increasingly raising questions about its continued legitimacy. In this episode, host Tom Keatinge explores what these challenges are and how the FATF might stay ahead of them with two former FATF insiders, David Lewis and Michelle Harwood.
Sep 22, 2023 • 5min
Season 6 Trailer: A New Concept for STR!
Tom Keatinge and Alanna Putze, two of your CFCS podcast hosts, introduce a new concept for the Suspicious Transaction Report podcast, offering listeners fresh content on the intersection between finance and security. Here is a glimpse of what's in store, including some of the guests, topics and ideas that will feature throughout the season.
Jun 23, 2023 • 34min
Power, Wealth and State Threats
Is there a resurgence of state threats or have democracies just opened up their eyes to this complex challenge? In a season that explores today's varied threat landscape, this final episode delves deeper into the dynamics between economics and security. Host Tom Keatinge is joined by RUSI Trustee Suzanne Raine and Associate Fellow Jason Shepherd to discuss the blurring of geopolitics and finance through the lens of history and look at what must happen to strengthen democratic resilience for the future.
Jun 9, 2023 • 29min
The Many Facets of the Cyber Threat
How do adversarial states exploit cyber to pursue their own strategic objectives? From intelligence gathering and information operations to physical disruption and financial gain, cyber operations are increasingly shaping the global threat landscape. And it's not just large state actors such as Russia and China that are behind them, but also dozens of emerging states, along with contractors and private entities. Dr Jamie Collier of Mandiant joins host Alanna Putze to explore the implications of this multifaceted threat and whether democracies are on track to respond.
May 26, 2023 • 33min
Disinformation and Political Warfare
Disinformation is not new, but it has certainly evolved. Today, it is strongly linked to international security, as malign actors seize on it to pursue their own strategic interests. Are democracies equipped to navigate this new landscape of political warfare? Host Alanna Putze is joined by Monika Richter of the American Foreign Policy Council and Graham Brookie of the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab to explore the multifaceted scope of today's disinformation challenge, and why tackling it is vital for democratic security.
May 12, 2023 • 34min
Emerging Security Challenges: NATO Adapts
Hybrid warfare is on the rise. From cyber and disruptive technologies to energy security and economic interconnectedness, malign actors have an array of domains to exploit. How has NATO adapted, and can it be nimble enough to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving threat landscape? Host Tom Keatinge is joined by James Appathurai, NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, to explore how the military alliance is building resilience and the private sector's vital role in this effort.
Apr 28, 2023 • 34min
The State-Crime Nexus: Spotlight on Russia
How are organised crime and illicit finance exploited as vectors of state-based threats? This episode focuses on Russia and the unique capabilities it gains via illicit proceeds, including the power to subsidise occupation. Host Stephen Reimer is joined by Tena Prelec of the University of Oxford and Rowan Newman of the UK government's Serious and Organised Crime Network as they explore the blurred lines between government, business and criminal actors and the impact on international security.
Apr 14, 2023 • 30min
Countries for Sale: Latvia?
Interference and influence – whether in politics, national institutions or boardrooms – has long been an objective of adversaries of democracy, who frequently deploy money in pursuit of their goals. This episode spotlights Latvia, a country that is no stranger to corrupt external influences. CFCS's Tom Keatinge is joined by journalists Sanita Jemberga and Edward Lucas to explore what went wrong in Latvia, why the rest of Europe is not immune to this threat, and what must be done to safeguard democracy.
