Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence

Secrets & Spies

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 unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts. Tune in for balanced, critical perspectives that will expand your understanding of our uncertain world, deciphering the most enigmatic professions, ideologies, and organizations that shape the global landscape.

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Our Hosts
Host Chris Carr, driven by a teenage encounter with former KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky, brings a unique authenticity to the podcast. His deep-seated fascination with espionage is evident in his highly acclaimed short spy film The Dry Cleaner, available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. Currently developing feature film and television scripts inspired by the podcast's themes, Chris aims to create realistic and compelling spy dramas.

Joining him is Matt Fulton, a novelist and screenwriter who draws inspiration from masters of the spy genre like John Le Carré, Tom Clancy, and Graham Greene. Author of the Active Measures series of globe-trotting geopolitical thrillers, Matt brings his decades of extensive research and narrative prowess to the podcast, offering listeners a front-row seat to the thrilling world of covert operations.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2024 • 60min

S8 Ep17: Spy Game Trilogy, with Michael Frost Beckner and guest host Stephen England

We have a guest host for today’s show, a first for the podcast. Indie thriller author Stephen England talks with the spy novelist and screenwriter Michael Frost Beckner about his “Spy Game” trilogy, which was adapted into the 2001 film starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He joins Stephen for a deep-dive into the trilogy, his broader career as a writer, and drops some details on books still to come. Michael Frost Beckner’s website: https://www.michaelfrostbeckner.com/. Stephen England’s website: https://www.stephenenglandbooks.com/ If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 8min

S8 Ep16: Espresso Martini: An alleged Cuban Mole, Traders profiting off 7th October attack and Israeli Intelligence Failures

On todays episode we will be looking at what the Israeli Intelligence services may have known before the 7th October Hamas terrorist attack. We will then look at reports of traders who may have benefited from the attacks. We have a developing spy scandal involving an alleged Cuban mole within the US State Department, and we will wrap up looking at a developing situation between Venezuela and Guyana over an oil-rich disputed territory. On Extra Shot, our exclusive Patreon show that follows this, we will be looking at the financing of Hamas, the ongoing ideological debate within US universities over the 7th October attacks, aggressive Sonar use by the Chinese navy targeting Australian naval divers, and we will end at reports of Ukrainian action against the main railway between Russia and China. You will need to be a Patreon subscriber to get access to Extra Shot. Click here to subscribe and listen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-8th-94312976?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Articles discussed in Espresso Martini Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html Unknown traders appear to have anticipated October 7 Hamas attack, research finds https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/04/business/some-traders-appear-to-have-anticipated-october-7-hamas-attack-research-finds/index.html Former career US diplomat charged with secretly spying for Cuban intelligence for decades https://apnews.com/article/cuba-bolivia-former-ambassador-arrested-e30bf2d027e32ac8b66ff051062273dc Cuban Spy Service Dazzles Again https://open.substack.com/pub/spytalk/p/cuban-spy-service-dazzles-again?r=19kty&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email ‘Despotic’ Maduro accused of risking Venezuela-Guyana conflict over oil-rich region https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/venezuela-oil-guyana-essequibo-vote-nicolas-maduro Articles Discussed on Extra Shot Hamas’s Main Source of Funding Might Surprise You https://newrepublic.com/article/176962/hamas-finances-funding-sources-palestinian-authority?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tnr_daily&utm_term=&utm_content= A Tale of Two Ivory Towers https://www.newsweek.com/tale-two-ivory-towers-opinion-1845433 Australia says, China navy used sonar pulses against divers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/67461081 Ukraine's Security Service blows up railway linking Russia and China https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/11/30/7431023/ If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Dec 1, 2023 • 60min

S8 Ep15: Russia’s War on Ukraine and the Anti Western Axis with Dr Taras Kuzio

On today’s episode, Chris is joined again by Dr Taras Kuzio. They discuss the latest developments with Russia’s War on Ukraine and Dr Kuzio’s research on the Anti-Western Axis, which includes Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Dr Kuzio is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla and a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. He is the Winner of the Peterson Literary Prize for his book "Russian Nationalism and Russian-Ukrainian War." You can follow Dr Kuzio on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/TarasKuzio If you enjoyed the podcast, please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 23min

S8 Ep14: Iranian Militia Attacks on US Forces with Phillip Smyth

On today’s episode, Matt is joined again by Phillip Smyth. Phillip is a leading expert on Iranian proxy groups, such as Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, and has conducted research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the University of Maryland. They discuss the spate of attacks by Iranian-backed militias against US forces in the Middle East since the Gaza War began. Phillip tells us who these groups are, what their strategy is, and if he sees potential for the violence to escalate. Phillip’s research at the Washington Institute: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/phillip-smyth. Follow Phillip on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhillipSmyth. If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Nov 23, 2023 • 1h 41min

S8 Ep13: Hamas hostage deal, coming to terms with 7th October, Ukraine nuclear weapons and political dysfunction the greatest threat to the US

Happy Thanksgiving to our listeners in the US! On today's episode we will be looking at the potential hostage deal with Hamas, we will also be looking at a few articles on how people are still coming to terms with the Hamas attacks, new information on the disastrous deal that led to Ukraine giving up it’s nuclear arsenal, and we will look at how political dysfunction is growing to be the number one threat to the US. On Extra Shot, our exclusive Patreon show that follows this, we will be looking at growing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, a ransomware cyber-attack that has cripple the British Library, Tik Toks latest icon and how to avoid conflict over the thanksgiving holidays in the US. You will need to be a Patreon subscriber to get access to Extra Shot. Click here to subscribe and listen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-23rd-93392480?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Articles discussed in Espresso Martini Hamas Hostages deal https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/21/politics/negotiations-israel-hamas-hostages?cid=ios_app For Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-back-channel-gershon-hamad.html All My Life, I’ve Watched Violence Fail the Palestinian Cause https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/israeli-palestinian-conflict-hope/675917/ Political Dysfunction is the greatest threat to US https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/13/america-disruption-superpower-national-security-suicide/ Deceit, Dread, and Disbelief: The Story of How Ukraine Lost Its Nuclear Arsenal https://nationalinterest.org/feature/deceit-dread-and-disbelief-story-how-ukraine-lost-its-nuclear-arsenal-207076 Articles Discussed on Extra Shot New European Article titled “The west must act to stop Balkans tensions boiling over by Petrit Selimi (Pe-Trit Sel-imi) https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/the-west-must-act-to-stop-balkans-tensions-boiling-over/ BBC article titled: “British Library: Employee data leaked in cyber attack” By Yasmin Rufo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67484639 Is Bin Laden the new Che Guevara? https://www.msnbc.com/andrea-mitchell-reports/watch/viral-bin-laden-speech-is-a-failure-of-education-rhetoric-being-celebrated-is-appalling-198153797619 6 Tips to navigate a tense Thanksgiving Dinner https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/6-ways-to-handle-a-tense-thanksgiving-according-to-a-family-therapist.html If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Nov 10, 2023 • 49min

S8 Ep12: The Double Bind revisited - No Espresso Martini or Extra Shot this week

There won’t be an Espresso Martini today. Instead, Chris is re-sharing the first-ever episode in which he is joined by the author Meredith Tax, and they discuss her book “The Double Bind”, which looks at the problematic relationship between Anglo American left and the Muslim right. Later in the podcast, they also discuss the role of Kurdish women in the fight against ISIS. You can get a copy of the Double Bind here: UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZKEJ0U88CK4F&keywords=the+double+bind+meredith+tax&qid=1699649198&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1 US https://www.amazon.com/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SGNS9LZ9PFXX&keywords=the+double+bind+meredith+tax&qid=1699649248&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1 AUS https://www.amazon.com.au/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=238AGSX9HY3UG&keywords=THE+DOUBLE+BIND+MEREDITH+TAX&qid=1699649285&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 If you enjoyed the podcast, please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies: * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

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