The Crisis Room

In a time of AI, facial recognition and rapid technological advances - is the era of human intelligence-gathering over? Could AI soon put James Bond out of a job? This week, in a special episode, The Crisis Room looks at how espionage is grappling with the challenges posed by modern technology. After all, in a world of UTS - Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance - can anyone really be expected to successfully go undercover? Marc explains how he and his colleagues used to recruit agents to act as human intelligence sources during his time in the CIA - and why it's almost impossible for his successors to use the same methods now. Amber, Mark, and Marc are also joined by Ed Bogan - a decorated former CIA station chief - to find out how intelligence agencies all around the world are changing how they work.Follow us on social media: @crisisroompod

This week, Keir Starmer followed in the footsteps of President Macron and declared that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state by September, unless Israel holds to a ceasefire. Did he make the right call? Or will he regret breaking from the Americans on this major foreign policy issue? And, is Britain really ready for war with China? We'll take a look at recent comments by the British Defence Secretary John Healey, who declared the UK is ‘ready to fight’ if Taiwan is invaded by China. Later, Mark Urban reveals why he was once considered a threat to UK National Security!

As famine spreads in Gaza, the team discuss whether the international community - and particularly the US and the UK - should be taking stronger action against Israel. And they ask: would officially recognising the State of Palestine make any difference to the lives of ordinary Gazans? Amber, Mark, and Marc are joined by the former British Ambassador to the US, Lord Darroch to discuss this, and whether there is still any hope for a two-state solution.Mark also recalls watching the Jewish settlements being cleared from Gaza in 2005, and wonders how far the peace process has been set back in the time since October 7th 2023. Amber explains why it's politically so difficult for the UK to change its Middle East policy without American support, plus Marc gives his view on Israel's recent airstrikes on Syria.And the team discuss how badly impacted President Trump will be by the crisis he's facing over The Epstein Files. Will this damage his relationship with the MAGA base for good?

It's one of the big diplomatic dilemmas of the modern era: how do you solve a problem like President Trump? It's a dilemma that world leaders from Keir Starmer, to Emanuel Macron, to Mark Carney have grappled with over the past six months - some choose to stand up to the US President, while others bend the knee. NATO chief Mark Rutte has even hailed Trump a 'great man' in a recent interview - a comment which has Marc P's blood boiling! The team discuss which world leader has the best approach to dealing with the President.Before that, Mark breaks down the major new military aid package for Ukraine announced by Trump and Rutte last week. Will it really move the dial and change the outcome of this war in Ukraine's favour? Or does it just buy Putin and Russia more time to continue their offensive? Plus: should heads roll over the Afghanistan data breach? Amber gives her response to the crisis engulfing the British government, and explains why the far-right are trying to exploit this story to stoke unrest in the UK. 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

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