On today’s podcast we are joined by Ben West and we take a look at money laundering, its connection to organised crime and an FBI sting operation called “Trojan Shield” Ben is a Senior Global Security Analyst with Stratfor, a RANE company. You can read Ben's two articles on money laundering here: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/basics-money-laundering-how-criminal-organizations-move-illicit-revenue-legal-economy https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/basics-money-laundering-case-studies O...
Jul 02, 2021•56 min•Season 6Ep. 1
On 28th June 2016 I recorded my first interview for the podcast. Back then the podcast was called “The Dry Cleanercast” named after my film “The Dry Cleaner” and now the podcast is “Secrets & Spies” I have decided to re-air the first episode with a little behind the scenes story about the recording of that first interview. You can find out more about Meredith Tax and her two books “The Double Bind” & “A road unforeseen” here at here website: https://www.meredithtax.org/book.php Thank you...
Jun 27, 2021•53 min
On this episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author and former intelligence officer Anthony Wells We discuss Anthony’s excellent book “Between Five Eyes”, which takes a detailed look at UK-US intelligence through a personal lens based on working uniquely for UK intelligence as a British citizen and US intelligence as a US citizen. You can find out more the book here: https://www.casematepublishers.com/between-five-eyes.html#.YLntCuvTWjg Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! C...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 8 min
On this episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are re- joined by author Tim Tate We discuss his latest book “The Spy Who Was Left Out In The Cold” which takes a look at Polish intelligence officer Michal Goleniewski who became one of the West’s most effective Cold War spies. Michal has largely been written out of western intelligence history. Join us on the podcast to find out why. You can find out more the book which is available from 27th May here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/112/1120299/the-s...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 22 min
On this episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author Henry Hemming We discuss his book “Our Man in New York” which takes a look at the history of the secretive BSC and its mysterious spymaster William Stephenson. Henry and I discuss the myth and facts of BSC’s operations in the US prior to America joining the fight in World War 2 You can find out more about Henry and his book here: http://henryhemming.com/ Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trailer here: youtu...
May 07, 2021•53 min
On today’s podcast we are joined by Ben West and we take a look at economic espionage past, present and future. Ben is a Senior Global Security Analyst with Stratfor, a RANE company. You can read Ben's reports here: Understanding Economic Espionage: The Future Understanding Economic Espionage: The Present Understanding Economic Espionage: The Past Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trailer here: youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And you can buy the film here: www.drycleanercast.co.uk...
Apr 01, 2021•54 min
“Hitler’s American Friends” On this of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author Bradley W. Hart We discuss his book “Hitler’s American Friends” which takes a look at the history of Nazi sympathisers in America before and during World War Two. You can get a copy of Bradley’s book here: https://t.co/HcyUt8s6mB ?amp=1 And you can connect with Bradley on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/DrBHart Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trailer here: youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And yo...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 21 min
On this special COVID-19 episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author and expert Dan Kaszeta We discuss what is known about COVID-19, we take a look at the vaccines now available and we tackle some of the myths and conspiracy theories that have grown online since the pandemic began. Dan is a Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security specialist. He previously served in the US Army and the US Secret Service. Dan is also the author of 'Toxic' which looks at the histo...
Feb 20, 2021•58 min
On this episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author Tom Parker Tom has written a fantastic in-depth book called “Avoiding the Terrorist Trap”. Tom and I discuss his research into the history of terrorism and we look at what he calls “The Terrorist Trap”, that governments frequently fall into when fighting terrorism. You can get a copy of “Avoiding the Terrorist Trap” here: https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/p995 Use these codes to get an exclusive discount: Hardbac...
Feb 05, 2021•2 hr 39 min
Just a quick update on how the podcast will be released in the months ahead and some changes to how we will use Patreon going forward
Feb 03, 2021•7 min
On this episode of “Secrets and Spies”, we are joined by author and journalist David Neiwert. We discuss President Trumps Legacy, the rise of the far-right during his time in office, the events of 6th January and what they mean for the future as President-Elect Joe Biden is sworn into office. David is the author of a fantastic book called "Alt America: The Rise of the Alt-Right in the Age of Trump". and “Red Pill Blue Pill: How to counteract the conspiracy theories that are killing us” All of hi...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 12 min
On today’s episode, I am joined by Tracy Walder. We discuss her career from the CIA, the FBI and as a teacher today inspiring the next generation. Find out more about Tracy here: https://www.tracywalder.com/ You can get a copy of Tracy’s book here: https://www.tracywalder.com/preorder-book-retailers You can connect with her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/tracy_walder Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbc...
Jan 15, 2021•51 min
On today’s episode, I am joined by author Timothy Phillips. We discuss his book “The Secret Twenties” which takes a look at espionage in 1920’s Britain. You can get a copy of Timothy's book here: https://granta.com/contributor/timothy-phillips/ You can connect with him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/tsjphillips and Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/curtainandwall Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/...
Dec 31, 2020•1 hr 3 min
“Prevent Two Years On” On the podcast, we are re-joined Sean Arbuthnot and William Baldet, who both work on the UK government’s Countering Violent Extremism programme called “Prevent”. On this episode, we discuss what has changed, what hasn’t changed, and the reaction to Prevent since we last spoke in 2018. You can listen to our original discussion here: https://pod.fo/e/14f9d For more information about “Prevent” you can visit the “Let’s Talk About It” website here: https://www.ltai.info/ For mo...
Aug 24, 2020•54 min
Pandemic and Anti Vaccination Conspiracy Theories with Debra Winter On today's “Secrets and Spies” podcast I am joined by Debra Winter. Debra is a professor of Literature and Critical Thinking at New York University and she is the author of the up and coming book “Global Catastrophe and Literature: Writing the sublime”. We discuss her excellent article that was published in The Guardian titled “Meet the white, middle-class Pinterest moms who believe “Plandemic”. Which looks at the rise in conspi...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr
On this episode of “Secrets & Spies” I am joined by William Craig Reed, who is a former US Navy diver, turned best-selling author. We discuss the tragic sinking of the Kursk Submarine, and how that tragic event is linked to President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical plans in the Arctic today. For more information about William and his fantastic book “Spies of the deep” go to http://wcraigreed.com/nonfiction/spies-of-the-deep/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You c...
Aug 07, 2020•58 min
"Secrets of the Kashmir Valley” On this episode, we are joined by author and counterterrorism expert Farhana Qazi and we discuss her book "Secrets of the Kashmir Valley" Farhana was previously on the podcast back in November 2018. You can listen to that interview here: https://pod.fo/e/14f94 You can find out more about Farhana by going to her website: https://farhanaqazi.com/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?...
Jul 27, 2020•41 min
Secrets & Spies Present: Need to Know Need to Know is our current affairs strand of the podcast that complements our regular interviews. Today on "Need to Know" we are joined by author and intelligence historian Calder Walton. We discuss the recent UK Government looking at Russian interference in British politics. Calder is also the author of the fantastic book “Empire of Secrets” which is available at all resellers. You can find out more about Calder and his work at his website: www.calderw...
Jul 23, 2020•27 min
NEED TO KNOW: Russian Bounties with Frank Snepp A few weeks ago, a story broke in the New York Times, claiming it had been discovered that the Russian government had been paying bounties to the Taliban to target and kill US and Allied forces in Afghanistan. There has been an understandable shock and condemnation in the US and in the UK when the story first broke. President Trump’s reaction to the story has been to claim ignorance to the whole thing and claim that he was never briefed by US intel...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr
The Dry Cleanercast will be rebooted as "Secrets & Spies" in the Autumn. A new show called "Espresso Martini" will join our regular interview show and "Need to Know". Watch this space Please support this podcast Get early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a monthwww.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one-off tip at PayPal www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trai...
Jul 13, 2020•6 min
CIA in Vietnam with Frank Snepp On today’s podcast we are joined by Frank Snepp. Frank served with the CIA during the Vietnam war. He was the chief analyst of North Vietnamese strategy. He was there at the fall of Saigon and today we discuss his experiences during the Vietnam war and the intelligence failures that contributed to the US and South Vietnamese loss of the war. Frank published the book “Decent Interval” as an after-action report about the intelligence failures he witnessed in Vietnam...
Jul 10, 2020•3 hr 38 min
“In the dark of war” On this month’s podcast, we are joined by former CIA officer Sarah M. Carlson. Sarah was deployed to Libya in 2013. A year into her deployment the situation in Libya deteriorated and it was decided to evacuate the US mission in Tripoli. Sarah played a key role in leading over 150 staff from the US mission to safety. After a legal dispute with the CIA, she is now able to tell her story publicly. We discuss her book “In the dark of war” which looks at her time in Libya. You ca...
Jun 14, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Why Spies Spy On this month’s podcast, we are joined by author and journalist Michael Smith. We discuss his book “Anatomy of a Spy” which takes a look at why spies spy. You can find out more about Michael and his books here: https://www.michaelsmithauthor.com/ All of Michael’s books and “Anatomy of a spy” are available at Amazon and all other book sellers. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Smith/e/B001H6O0OS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Please support this podcast Get early access to episodes b...
May 31, 2020•48 min
WELCOME TO NEED TO KNOW On this month’s podcast, we are joined by Dan Kaszeta. Dan is Security/CBRN specialist and a US Army Veteran. He is also the author of 'Toxic' which is due out on 1st July 2020 On this episode, we discuss Dan’s Washington Post article on why the Coronavirus is not a biological weapon. You can read that article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/26/no-coronavirus-is-not-biological-weapon/ And pre-order his book Toxic here: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/...
May 31, 2020•47 min
WELCOME TO NEED TO KNOW On this month’s podcast, we are joined by author and journalist David Neiwert. We discuss the latest Conspiracy Theories inspired by the Coronavirus and look at how many of those theories have their roots in far-right ideology. We look at the economics of conspiracy theories, the dangers of conspiracy theories during a worldwide pandemic and Chris shares a few memories from his past as a conspiracy theorist. David is the author of a fantastic book called "Alt America: The...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 9 min
On this month’s podcast, we are joined by author and journalist Gordon Corera. Gordon is the BBC's Security Correspondent. We discuss his book “Russians Among Us” which takes a look at the use of sleeper spies by the Russian intelligence services. You can find out more about Gordon and his books here: https://www.harpercollins.com/author/cr-128450/gordon-corera/ And you can see his reporting for the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/correspondents/gordoncorera You can also connect with him on...
Apr 24, 2020•51 min
On this episode of “Need to Know” we are joined by author and journalist Iain Ballantyne. We take a look at how COVID-19 is effecting navies across the world and we also look at the first digital edition of Warships magazine. To get a copy of Warships IFR go to WWW.WARSHIPSIFR.COM/ For more information about Iain check out his website here: WWW.IAINBALLANTYNE.COM Please support this podcast Get early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month www.patreon.co...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min
On a special episode of "Need to Know" we are joined by author and intelligence historian Calder Walton. We discuss his brilliant article called “Spies Are Fighting a Shadow War Against the Coronavirus” for Foreign Policy. You can read it here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/03/coronavirus-pandemic-intelligence-china-russia/ Calder is also the author of the fantastic book “Empire of Secrets” which is available at all resellers. You can find out more about Calder and his work at his website: w...
Apr 07, 2020•36 min
On this special podcast, we are joined by independent author Matt Fulton and we discuss his spy book “Active Measures”. You can connect with him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/fultonmatt Check out his website here: https://mattfulton.net/ Please support this podcast Get early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one-off tip at PayPal www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our fi...
Mar 31, 2020•34 min
On this month’s podcast we are joined by author and intelligence historian Calder Walton. We discuss the future of British Intelligence in the age of Brexit and Bellingcat. Calder is the author of the fantastic book “Empire of Secrets” which is available at all resellers. He also wrote a brilliant article called “The Spies Who Came In From The Continent” for Foreign Policy magazine which was the inspiration for this episode. You can read it here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/27/the-spies-wh...
Mar 27, 2020•56 min
