The Crisis Room

The podcast dives into the complexities of the ongoing migrant crisis, questioning if a 'one in, one out' policy will effectively address it. Insights are shared from government discussions on illegal migration and the push for high overall numbers. A debate arises over the potential implementation of ID cards as a solution, with opinions on privacy concerns. The conversation also touches on lessons from the Trump administration’s immigration strategies and explores the nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the intricacies of Middle Eastern diplomacy.

David Anderson, a former reviewer of Terrorism Legislation in the UK and crossbench peer, joins the discussion on the government's controversial decision to label Palestine Action as a terrorist group. He explains the risks of curbing legitimate protest and the broader implications for civil rights. The conversation also touches on the difficulty of defining terrorism and reflects on the challenges journalists face when covering banned organizations. Lastly, the pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine raises questions about international relations and NATO's stability.

Simon Gass, former British Ambassador to Tehran and lead negotiator on the Iran nuclear deal, shares insights into the shifting dynamics in the Middle East post-conflict. He reveals the complexities of negotiating with Iran amidst tensions and discusses the impact of U.S. involvement on future peace prospects. The conversation also touches on the UK's covert roles in the region and the challenges posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. Additionally, they analyze NATO's position on defense spending and its implications for global security.

The discussion dives into the high-stakes dynamics of the Iran-Israel conflict, weighing the potential for U.S. military involvement. Insights reveal the tension within Iranian intelligence as they face Israeli advancements. The conversation also touches on President Trump's role in navigating these crises and his perceived failures in delivering peace. Additionally, the historic appointment of MI6's first female chief sparks reflections on modern intelligence challenges and the evolution of surveillance tactics. Personal anecdotes enrich the dialogue, blending humor with serious analysis.

In a gripping discussion, Eric Brewer, a former National Security Council official and Iran expert, joins to analyze Israel's recent military strikes on Iran and their potential global ramifications. The conversation dives into whether Iran will pursue nuclear capabilities in response. The panel also examines the complexities of U.S. involvement, the fallout from withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, and the urgent military and diplomatic challenges that lie ahead. Tensions are high, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be part of Special Forces operations during the Iraq War? In an exclusive interview, former SAS Commanding Officer Richard Williams reveals what it was like to run those units in Baghdad at a time when Al-Qaeda were detonating 100 suicide bombs every month - and just how big an impact his men had on restoring some sense of order to the Iraqi capital.For the first time, Richard also publicly shares his strong views on the controversial public inquiry into SAS operations in Afghanistan, while Mark and Amber discuss their experiences of working - and going out on operations - with the world-famous regiment.Plus Marc Polymeropoulos is back to give his view on the recent political upheaval in Syria, a country he lived and worked in during his long career with the CIA. Tune in to hear Marc admit that President Trump has finally made a foreign policy decision he can support! For more content, please follow us:https://x.com/CrisisRoomPodhttps://bsky.app/profile/crisisroompod.bsky.socialhttps://www.youtube.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1AuBXweSJe/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.instagram.com/crisisroompod/?hl=enhttps://www.threads.com/@crisisroompod?hl=en

Is the UK ready to take part in an armed conflict? Do the British people understand what being war-ready really means? And is the government willing to cough up and pay what it takes to keep the public safe in the long-term?This week, Amber and Mark discuss Britain's war-readiness in light of the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, and they speak to Dr. Fiona Hill, one of the authors of that review.They also ask Fiona whether the US can be seen as a reliable ally under her old boss Donald Trump, and even though there's no Marc Polymeropoulos this week, there's still a 'ding-dong' in there to keep him happy. For more content, please follow us:https://x.com/CrisisRoomPodhttps://bsky.app/profile/crisisroompod.bsky.socialhttps://www.youtube.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1AuBXweSJe/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.instagram.com/crisisroompod/?hl=enhttps://www.threads.com/@crisisroompod?hl=en

Step into The Crisis Room. In this first episode, Amber, Mark, and Marc unpack the controversial move by Merseyside Police to reveal key details about the Liverpool incident suspect. Smart transparency, or a risky precedent?They also dive into the war in Ukraine: has Europe let Ukraine down? Why is Trump so dismissive of the intelligence community? And are world leaders scared of provoking Vladimir Putin?Amber shares insider stories from her time as Home Secretary during the Skripal poisoning and the Trump years, while Mark and Marc clash over how far the West should go to support Ukraine.For more content, please follow us:https://x.com/CrisisRoomPodhttps://bsky.app/profile/crisisroompod.bsky.socialhttps://www.youtube.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@crisisroompodhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1AuBXweSJe/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.instagram.com/crisisroompod/?hl=enhttps://www.threads.com/@crisisroompod?hl=en

Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, renowned journalist Mark Urban, and decorated former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos tell you all about their new podcast The Crisis Room.Listen for a flavour of the stories they'll share, from careers spent reporting from the frontlines, responding to terror attacks from the corridors of Westminster, and spying in the Middle East.Each week, the team unpicks the biggest crises shaping the UK and the world, drawing on their three very different perspectives to help you understand what’s really happening behind the headlines - and what’s at stake for our future.Episode One is available from tomorrow - May 29th. Subscribe on Global Player so you never miss an episode. Download it from the App Store or go to globalplayer.com