Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence

Hi eveyone. Chris & Matt will be on Benjamin Wittes & Alicia Wanless's YouTube show "Dog Shirt TV", talking about Secrets & Spies, its origins, our interest in espionage and our thoughts on Spy Fiction. You can watch the show here: https://youtu.be/QVKAQf7p_Fs?si=TruFrM4-jsg0iQMq There won't be an Espresso Martini this week and instead we will be sharing Chris's interview with author Mike Rothschild and discussing his research on QAnon. That will be released on Saturday 19th. Have a great weekend All the best Chris & Matt

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tim Weiner joins Matt to discuss The Mission, his new history of the CIA in the 21st century. They explore the agency’s quiet successes and moral failings, from dismantling the AQ Khan network to abetting torture and losing its way in Iraq. Weiner recounts how the CIA reoriented after the 2016 Russian election interference, played a key role in supporting Ukraine, and tried to hold the line under Trump. Their conversation spans secret wars, agency leadership, and whether America’s intelligence services can still defend democracy when democracy itself is under threat. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. More about The Mission: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-mission-tim-weiner Order The Mission from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-mission-the-cia-in-the-21st-century-tim-weiner/22062129 Follow Tim on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tim-weiner.bsky.social Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2fa57b YouTube: https://youtu.be/pFMaXhPcNO8 Reviews of The Mission "The Mission by Tim Weiner review – unmasking the CIA" by John Simpson | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/10/the-mission-by-tim-weiner-review-unmasking-the-cia "The Mission" by Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780063270183 "Mission Madness" by Loch K. Johnson | Spytalk: https://www.spytalk.co/p/mission-madness Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Harper Collins, Jessica Doyle & CIA Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

Matt is joined by nonproliferation expert Joe Cirincione to unpack what the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran actually achieved—and what they didn’t. They discuss the extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program, why military action alone can’t stop a country from getting the bomb, and what a viable diplomatic path forward might look like. Joe breaks down the technical realities of uranium enrichment and covert weapons development, explores whether Iran now has the intent as well as the capability to build a nuclear weapon, and explains how this crisis risks pushing the world back toward nuclear anarchy. They also consider what future proliferators might be learning from the Iran case, and what comes next for the global arms control regime. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Follow Joe on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joecirin.bsky.social Follow Joe’s Substack: https://joecirincione.substack.com Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f82e0 YouTube: https://youtu.be/IFJAPL9dg4A Additional reading for the episode "Iran and the Changing Character of the Nonproliferation Regime" by Joseph Rodgers | Center for Strategic & International Studies: https://www.csis.org/analysis/iran-and-changing-character-nonproliferation-regime "Disruption or Dismantlement: Diverging Assessments of Iran Nuclear Strikes" by Bailey Schiff | CSIS Next-Generation Nuclear Network: https://nuclearnetwork.csis.org/disruption-or-dismantlement-diverging-assessments-of-iran-nuclear-strikes/ "Post-Attack Assessment of the First 12 Days of Israeli and US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities" by David Albright, Spencer Faragasso, and the Good ISIS Team | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/post-attack-assessment-of-the-first-12-days-of-israeli-strikes-on-iranian-nuclear-facilities "Going for the Bomb: Part I, Pathways and Timelines" by David Albright | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/going-for-the-bomb-part-i-pathways-and-timelines "Going for the Bomb: Part II, Tasks to Make a Crude Nuclear Weapon" by David Albright and Andrea Stricker | Institute for Science & International Security: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/going-for-the-bomb-part-ii-tasks-to-make-a-crude-nuclear-weapon "Iran Suspends Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog" by Erika Solomon and Sanam Mahoozi | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-iaea.html "Pentagon Says US Strike Delayed Iran’s Nuclear Program by Up to Two Years" by Lara Seligman and Michael R. Gordon | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/pentagon-says-u-s-strike-delayed-irans-nuclear-program-by-up-to-two-years-8d51eb81 "What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?" by Kali Robinson | Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-iran-nuclear-deal Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto & Hossein Beris/Middle East Images Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

This week, Matt and Chris break down the recent NATO summit, where Trump’s presence loomed large—even as the alliance bent over backwards to avoid a blow-up. Matt argues that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s cringe-worthy text to Trump might’ve been politically shrewd, and the guys dive into Europe’s growing defense commitments, defense-industrial capacity, and public skepticism over military spending. Then, they take a hard look at presidential war powers in the wake of Trump’s strikes on Iran, using Syria 2013 as a case study in how Congress has repeatedly abdicated its role. Plus, the latest from Ukraine’s northeast front, troubling delays in US weapons aid, and a brief tour through MI5 misconduct and Chinese ekranoplans. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f61e2 YouTube: https://youtu.be/azrIT9j_sjw Articles discussed in today’s episode "Five key priorities for NATO after the summit in The Hague – and how to make progress" by Armida van Rij and Kajsa Ollongren | Chatham House: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/06/five-key-priorities-nato-after-summit-hague-and-how-make-progress "A tale of two summits" by Nicholas Dungan | European Leadership Network: https://europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/a-tale-of-two-summits/ "Iran and the War Powers Problem" by POGO Staff | Project on Government Oversight: https://www.pogo.org/analysis/iran-and-the-war-powers-problem "Does the president need Congress to approve military actions in Iran?" by Scott Bomboy | National Constitution Center: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/does-the-president-need-congress-to-approve-military-actions-in-iran "Fight On Ukraine’s Northern Border Sees Elite Troops Poured In From Both Sides" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/fight-on-ukraines-northern-border-sees-elite-troops-poured-in-from-both-sides Stories of note this week "The Sheikh Who Conquered Soccer and Coddles Warlords" by Declan Walsh and Tariq Panja | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/world/middleeast/emirates-manchester-city-soccer-sudan.html "China Builds New Large Jet-Powered Ekranoplan" by H I Sutton | Naval News: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/china-builds-new-jet-powered-large-ekranoplan/ "Judges order 'robust' inquiry into MI5 false evidence" by Daniel De Simone | BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d6e4d8v8mo.amp "Royal Air Force Goes Nuclear With F-35A" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/royal-air-force-goes-nuclear-with-f-35a "A confidential brief urges the ICC to investigate Wagner’s promotion of atrocities in West Africa" by Monika Pronczuk and Sam Mednick | Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/wagner-russia-videos-war-crimes-mali-burkina-icc-c4dc7d04846d02b014ed4c645d265475 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by NATO Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

The U.S.  just carried out its most significant strikes on Iran in 45 years. President Trump declared victory, but his intelligence agencies aren’t so sure. This week, Matt is joined by The Atlantic’s Shane Harris to unpack what we actually know about the strikes’ effectiveness, the fractured intel picture behind them, and how DNI Tulsi Gabbard has navigated the fallout. They discuss her eroding influence, the internal backlash to her public testimony, and what her tenure reveals about the growing politicization of the intelligence community—and the risks when presidents try to shape intel to match their narrative. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Follow Shane on Bluesky & Twitter/X https://bsky.app/profile/shaneharris.bsky.social https://x.com/shaneharris Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2f45bb YouTube: https://youtu.be/8uh-4-WftPM Reporting discussed in the episode "Tulsi Gabbard Chooses Loyalty to Trump" by Isaac Stanley-Becker & Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/tulsi-gabbard-trump-iran/683323/ "Thank You for Your Attention to This Matter!" by Missy Ryan, Shane Harris, Isaac Stanley-Becker & Jonathan Lemire | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/israel-iran-trump-truth-social/683306/ "The True Impact of Trump’s Strike on Iran" by Missy Ryan, Jonathan Lemire, Ashley Parker, Isaac Stanley-Becker & Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/iran-nuclear-damage-trump/683294/ "Trump Changed. The Intelligence Didn’t." by Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/trump-changed-the-intelligence-didnt/683289/ "Trump’s Two-Week Window for Diplomacy Was a Smoke Screen" by Michael Scherer, Missy Ryan, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Shane Harris & Jonathan Lemire | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/trump-israel-iran-bomb/683275/ "How Israel Executed Its Surprise Assault on Iran" by Isaac Stanley-Becker and Shane Harris | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/how-israel-surprised-iran/683184/ Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by The White House & Vahid Salemi/AP Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

A deep dive reveals the complexities behind Operation Midnight Hammer, the largest U.S. strike on Iran since 1979. Discrepancies between bold governmental claims and cautious intelligence assessments are discussed. The legal implications of preemptive strikes and the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran are examined. Additionally, the anticipation for a new Bond film directed by Denis Villeneuve adds a cinematic twist, while reflections on casting controversies keep the excitement alive.

This week, Chris and Matt dive into the war between Israel and Iran, now entering its second week, with President Trump weighing a direct US strike on Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility. They unpack how the conflict began, Mossad’s covert sabotage campaign, the mounting civilian toll, and the split between Israeli and US intelligence over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. They also explore how Trump’s political coalition is fracturing over potential US military involvement, whether the Iranian regime can survive the assault, and what might come next. Then, they turn to leaked documents revealing how Russia’s FSB sees China as a serious espionage threat, despite public rhetoric of partnership. They wrap with thoughts on MI6’s new chief and the legacy of spy fiction giant Frederick Forsyth. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2ea75b YouTube: https://youtu.be/rVrtKrjBu6g Articles discussed in today’s episode "Israel Built Its Case for War With Iran on New Intelligence. The U.S. Didn’t Buy It." by Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman & Dustin Volz | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-built-its-case-for-war-with-iran-on-new-intelligence-the-u-s-didnt-buy-it-55592e81 "Exclusive: Inside the spy dossier that led Israel to war" | The Economist: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/18/exclusive-inside-the-spy-dossier-that-led-israel-to-war "How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel" by Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Mark Mazzetti & Ronen Bergman | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/us/politics/trump-iran-israel-nuclear-talks.html "This War Is Not Helping Us" by Arash Azizi | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/06/iran-opposition-israel-war/683207/ "Hegseth defers to general on Pentagon’s plans for Iran" by Jack Detsch & Paul McLeary | Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/hegseth-erik-kurilla-iran-pentagon-response-00411007 "US Decision On Striking Iran To Be Made In 'Next Two Weeks’" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/u-s-decision-on-striking-iran-to-be-made-in-next-two-weeks "Israeli Airstrikes Blunt Iranian Long-Range Ballistic Missile Threat" by Howard Altman & Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/israeli-airstrikes-blunt-iranian-long-range-ballistic-missile-launch-capabilities "Spike Missiles That Destroyed Air Defenses From Inside Iran Were Remotely Operated" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/spike-missiles-that-destroyed-air-defenses-from-inside-iran-were-remotely-operated "Secret Russian Intelligence Document Shows Deep Suspicion of China" by Jacob Judah, Paul Sonne & Anton Troianovski | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/world/europe/china-russia-spies-documents-putin-war.html "MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history" by Chris Mason, Frank Gardner & Rich Preston | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxyx04dv1wo "The Day Of The Jackal author Frederick Forsyth dies" by Ian Youngs | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj4ljxv17xo Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency, Menahem Kahana/AFP Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

This week, Matt is joined by terrorism researcher Jacob Ware to unpack the rise of nihilistic violent extremism—attacks carried out by disaffected young men radicalized online without any clear political goal. They explore how social media fuels this chaotic new threat, why the FBI created a new classification for it, and what makes networks like 764 and the Order of Nine Angles so dangerous. Then, they turn to the recent string of violent antisemitic attacks in the US and what they reveal about the blurred lines between far-left, far-right, and jihadist extremism. It’s a disturbing look at the future of terrorism, and what it means when violence itself becomes the ideology. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Get Jacob’s book, God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America: https://www.cfr.org/book/god-guns-and-sedition https://www.amazon.com/God-Guns-Sedition-Far-Right-Terrorism/dp/0231211228 Jacob’s work for the Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/expert/jacob-ware Jacob’s work for Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/contributors/jware Follow Jacob on Bluesky & Twitter/X: https://bsky.app/profile/jacobware.bsky.social https://x.com/Jacob_A_Ware Reporting discussed in the episode "Nihilistic Violent Extremism: A Valuable Stride Forward in American Counterterrorism" by Jacob Ware | Just Security: https://www.justsecurity.org/113463/nihilistic-violent-extremism-american-counterterrorism/ "Killing for Nothing: The Bizarre Logic of the Palm Springs Bomber" by Luke Baumgartner | Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/killing-for-nothing--the-bizarre-logic-of-the-palm-springs-bomber "Order of Nine Angles" by Nick Lowles | Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/2019/02/16/state-of-hate-2019-order-of-nine-angles/ "The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S." by Callum Sutherland | Time Magazine: https://time.com/7287941/rise-of-antisemitism-political-violence-in-united-states/ "Court papers say suspect in embassy killings declared, ‘I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza’" by Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman, and Alanna Durkin Richer | Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

Ukraine’s audacious drone assault on Russian airbases, codenamed Operation Spiderweb, leads this week’s episode, as Chris and Matt break down how Kyiv may have just kneecapped Russia’s strategic bomber fleet in a single strike. They dig into what it means for Russia’s nuclear deterrent, the future of force protection, and the broader trajectory of the war. Then, a Star Wars fan site turns out to be a front for CIA covert communications. Matt unpacks how it worked, why it failed, and the lives it may have cost. Plus, a rare public appearance by RAT55, the Air Force’s bizarre stealth-measuring 737, raises questions about Area 51, classified drones, and the durability of U.S. air dominance in a drone-saturated world. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2e1099 YouTube: https://youtu.be/PcO9r-7x8lk Articles discussed in today’s episode "What Ukraine’s Unprecedented Drone Attack Means For Russia’s Bomber Force" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/what-ukraines-unprecedented-drone-attack-means-for-russian-bomber-force "The CIA Secretly Ran a Star Wars Fan Site" by Joseph Cox | 404 Media: https://www.404media.co/the-cia-secretly-ran-a-star-wars-fan-site/ "The CIA's communications suffered a catastrophic compromise. It started in Iran." by Zach Dorfman & Jenna McLaughlin | Yahoo News: https://www.yahoo.com/news/cias-communications-suffered-catastrophic-compromise-started-iran-090018710.html "America’s Throwaway Spies" by Joel Schectman & Bozorgmehr Sharafedin | Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-spies-iran/ "World’s Most Secretive 737 Just Made A Very Rare Appearance" by Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/worlds-most-secretive-737-rat55-just-made-a-rare-public-appearance Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Maxar Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

In this conversation, Patrick Strickland discusses his experiences as a conflict reporter, particularly focusing on the refugee crisis in Greece and the rise of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. He shares insights into the socio-political landscape that allowed Golden Dawn to thrive, their violent tactics, and their connections with international far-right movements. Strickland emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics in the context of global far-right trends and the ongoing challenges faced by refugees and migrants. In this conversation, Patrick Strickland discusses the normalization of extremist rhetoric in mainstream politics, particularly in relation to migration and right-wing narratives. He highlights the impact of disinformation on humanitarian efforts and the legal challenges faced by those trying to assist refugees. The discussion also covers the significance of the Golden Dawn trial in Greece, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance against fascism and the importance of education in recognizing the signs of rising extremism. Strickland calls for policymakers to consider humane approaches to migration and to learn from past mistakes in handling refugee crises. Learn more about Patrick and his reporting: https://www.patrickobrienstrickland.com Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Giorgos Georgiou/NurPhoto Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.