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One Decision

Latest episodes

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Jan 9, 2025 • 47min

US Senator on Trump 2.0 & Middle East Policy, Ex-CIA Director on Jimmy Carter's Legacy

In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini speaks with Democratic United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They spoke from his office in Washington D.C. about various foreign policy challenges, including the war in Ukraine, the future of Syria and other countries affected by the Arab Spring, and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Van Hollen says President Biden hasn’t leveraged American influence effectively regarding Israel’s handling of the war and shares his perspective on how the incoming Trump administration might approach Israel and Netanyahu’s government. Plus, co-host and former United States Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director Leon Panetta shares memories of former US President Jimmy Carter and what his real legacy will be.
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Jan 2, 2025 • 35min

Ex-US & UK Spy Chiefs on What to Watch for in 2025

In the inaugural episode of the year, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove convenes a panel of intelligence leaders, including co-host and former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta and Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. Together, they break down the current state of global affairs and discuss the challenges ahead in 2025—from ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the seismic shifts in the Middle East and what is next for Iran and Syria, and the risks to America and Western countries posed by China's cyberspying and efforts to expand its global influence. Plus, the ex-intelligence chiefs share insights on how international leaders will navigate their relationship with Donald Trump's incoming administration.
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Dec 26, 2024 • 36min

The Best (and Worst) Foreign Policy Decisions of 2024

In the last episode of 2024, Times Radio political editor Kate McCann sits down with Prashant Rao of Semafor and Margot Haddad of France's TF1 to discuss how the year's biggest developments in foreign policy have reshaped the current global political landscape. They share what they believe are the worst and best decisions of 2024, the current state of war conflicts and how they will evolve in 2025, what to expect from a second Trump administration, and the new major players emerging on the global stage. Plus how climate change could shape international relations, the possibility of a trade war, and more.
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Dec 19, 2024 • 31min

Ex-US Diplomat on His Time in Moscow, Ukraine, & Putin's Next Move

In this week's episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Leon Panetta, former United States Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director, sit down with Ambassador John Sullivan. Sullivan is a former Deputy Secretary of State and served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Trump and Biden presidential administrations. They discuss the reality of navigating diplomatic relations with Russia, Sullivan's experience in Moscow at the start of the war in Ukraine, and what the fall of the Syrian Assad regime could mean for Putin's grip on power. Plus, Sullivan and Panetta share an insider view of how foreign diplomats navigate life in Russia and the number one thing a spy needs to do to protect themselves under the Kremlin's watchful eye.
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Dec 12, 2024 • 34min

Ex-MI6 Chief on Syria, Biden's Deputy Secretary of State Talks China, Iran

The man who used to be known only as C, Sir Richard Dearlove, analyzes the stunning fall of a half century Assad family rule in Syria. He shares insights on who was behind the successful final push to remove the dictator in Damascus and what's next for the nation. Plus, the former spymaster and co-host Christina Ruffini travel to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a conversation with Ambassador Wendy Sherman, who served as the United States’ last Deputy Secretary of State. She is currently a Joint Senior Fellow with Harvard's Belfer Center and Center for Public Leadership. They discuss what's driving the recalibration of the world order and South Korea's marital law crisis. Ambassador Sherman also shares behind-the-scenes stories from her diplomatic visits and negotiations all around the world, including the unforgettable incident involving a Chinese spy balloon that was detected in the United States.
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Dec 5, 2024 • 37min

Sudan's Civil War: An Inside Look with Ex-MI6 Chief

Nicholas Casey, a New York Times Magazine staff writer who embedded with Sudanese rebels, sheds light on the grim realities of Sudan's civil war. He discusses the dynamics between warring factions and the lack of international intervention. Casey highlights the rise of conflict-related sexual violence and foreign influences from countries like Egypt and the UAE. The urgent humanitarian crisis underscores the struggle for a democratic future amid ongoing violence, making it a deeply compelling insight into what he calls the world's 'forgotten war'.
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Nov 28, 2024 • 40min

Why Qatar Stopped Gaza Talks & On Board Blinken’s Last Flight to G7 in Italy

In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini travels with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Rome, where foreign ministers gathered for the final Group of Seven (G7) meeting of the Biden administration. She and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, the former Chief of Britain's MI6, sit down with Qatari Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Majed al-Ansari. They discuss Qatar's role as a mediator in the Middle Eastern conflict and their stance on foreign defense for Ukraine. The conversation also covers the political future of Afghanistan and the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
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Nov 21, 2024 • 33min

Ex-CIA Director and Trump’s Former National Security Advisor on Middle East, Ending Ukraine War

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta sit down with Ambassador and former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. O’Brien, who served as National Security Advisor during President Donald Trump’s first administration, shares his thoughts on several topics, including the Cabinet selections of the incoming President, global concern for Ukraine, the Israeli hostage crisis, and more. O’Brien also offers insights into President Trump's decision-making process and shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Presidential Daily Briefs.
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Nov 14, 2024 • 38min

Ex-MI6 Chief on Europe’s Response to Trump’s Victory, Cabinet Picks

In this week’s episode, One Decision’s Kasia Madera speaks with our resident spymaster, former Chief of Britain’s MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to talk about what President-Elect Donald Trump’s next term could mean for relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, and what his Cabinet picks could mean for the future of global affairs. Plus, the UK’s former Secretary of State for Defence, Penny Mordaunt, joins the conversation to discuss the state of the UK’s Conservative party, the importance of defense spending for Ukraine, and the case for Israeli defense. Mordaunt played a key role in King Charles III’s coronation and shares her thoughts on the significance of ancient English traditions.
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13 snips
Nov 7, 2024 • 38min

Ex-CIA Chief on What Trump's Return Means for the World

Join Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann and former CIA Director Leon Panetta as they dissect the fallout from Donald Trump's unexpected re-election. McCann shares insights on Washington and European reactions, highlighting political shifts, especially in the UK. Panetta provides a deep dive into the implications for U.S. foreign policy, touching on the potential isolationist trends and the delicate balance in international relations, particularly with Ukraine and China. It's a riveting exploration of a changing global landscape.

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