S6 Ep18: Fighting Evil with Macer Gifford

On todays podcast we are joined by Macer Gifford and we discuss his book “Fighting Evil”, which looks at the controversial topic of volunteer fighters who joined the Kurds in the fight against ISIS. You can find out more and connect with Macer here: https://twitter.com/macergifford Episode edited by Rob Daniel Music Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0%E2%80%A6BdNQbuCvt9KWU Please support thi...

S6 Ep17: Putin and Ukraine with Dr. Taras Kuzio

On todays podcast I am joined by Dr Taras Kuzio from the Henry Jackson society. Dr Kuzio wrote a great book called “Putin's War Against Ukraine: Revolution, Nationalism, and Crime”. On this episode we take a look at the background to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. You can also visit Dr Kuzio’s website here: http://www.betweeneuropeandrussia.com/ You can also visit the Henry Jackson Society here: https://henryjacksonsociety.org/ Episode edited by Rob Daniel Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been rele...

S6 Ep16: Russia Today & Ukraine with Dr Precious N Chatterje-Doody

Today we are joined by Dr. Precious N Chatterje-Doody who co-authored the book “Russia Today and Conspiracy Theory” with with Dr Ilya Yablokov On this episode we discuss how Russia Today has covered the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And we also take a look at the recent banning of the channel in the EU, UK and America. The book is available with here: https://www.routledge.com/Russia-Today-and-Conspiracy-Theories-People-Power-and-Politics/Yablokov-Chatterje-Doody/p/book/9780367224677# You can als...

S6 Ep15: Invasion of Ukraine with Edward Lucas

On todays special podcast about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are joined by Edward Lucas. Edward is the author of the 2008 book “The New Cold War”. He has been warning us for many years of an increasing aggressive Russian foreign policy dictated by President Vladimir Putin. You can find out more about Edward Lucas here: https://www.edwardlucas.com/about Podcast Edited by Rob Daniel Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 Music ...

Podcast Trailer

S6 Ep14: Marc Polymeropoulos - Clarity in a Crisis

Marc Polymeropoulos - Clarity in a Crisis On this episode we are joined by former senior CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and we discuss his book “Clarity in a Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA” You can find out more about Marc and get a copy of his book on his website: https://marcpolymeropoulos.com/ Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 Music Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out h...

S6: Podcast Update Feb 2022

Hello everyone, this is just a quick update about the podcast and upcoming episodes. This is a link to the Warships Pod episode I was on about the Ukraine crisis https://pod.fo/e/10808c 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/watchthefilm Music Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0%E2...

S6 Ep13: Syria, CIA & Damascus Station with David McCloskey

On this episode I am joined by former CIA analyst turned author David McCloskey. David has written a fantastic new spy novel called Damascus Station”. I have to be honest David’s book is brilliant and sits in my favourite spy novels of all time. On this episode David and I take a look at the situation in Syria, and look at how those real life elements informed his writing. And we ask the burning question…. Will the CIA hotdog machine return in David’s next book? Tune in to find out more You can ...

S6 Ep12: "Rutland From Jutland" -- Was a British war hero a Japanese spy?

On this episode we are joined by Bradley W. Hart and Ron Drabkin, who have both been researching the life of Fredrick Rutland. Fredrick Rutland was a British war hero who was nicknamed “Rutland From Jutland” and it is alleged that he may have been a spy for the Japanese intelligence services in the build-up to World War Two. You can read Bradley and Ron’s paper on Fredrick Jutland here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08850607.2020.1871252 Also the story has recently been reported i...

S6 Ep11: Russia Today and Conspiracy Theories with Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody

On this episode we are joined by Dr Precious.Chatterje-Doody and we discuss her book which she co-authored with Dr Ilya Yablokov called “Russia Today and Conspiracy Theory: People, Power and Politics of RT” The book is available with a 20% discount here (Use the code SOC21) : https://www.routledge.com/Russia-Today-and-Conspiracy-Theories-People-Power-and-Politics/Yablokov-Chatterje-Doody/p/book/9780367224677# You can also visit Dr Chatterje-Doody’s website here: https://www.preciouschatterjedood...

S6 Ep10: Mike Spann - First Casualty with Toby Harnden

On this episode we are joined by Toby Harnden and we discuss his new book “First Casualty” that takes a look at the first CIA team that went into Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. The book also focuses on CIA officer Mike Spann who was tragically killed on that operation and became the first American casualty in the Afghan War. You can get a copy of the book here: https://tobyharnden.com/first-casualty/ You can find out more about Toby’s work on his website: https://tobyharnden.com/ Our film “...

S6 Ep9: Spymaster with Dr Helen Fry

On this episode we are joined by Dr Helen Fry and we discuss her fantastic new book “Spymaster” that takes a look at the life and work of MI6 officer Thomas Kendrick You can get a copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spymaster-Man-Who-Saved-MI6/dp/0300255950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=helen+fry+spymaster&qid=1633709106&sr=8-1 You can find out more about Helen’s work on her website: https://www.helen-fry.com/ You can also connect with her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/D...

S6 Ep8: Ian Fleming’s War

On this episode we are joined by author Mark Simmons and we discuss his book “Ian Fleming’s War” You can get a copy of the book here: https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/ian-fleming-s-war/9780750993265/ 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/watchthefilm Music Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://www.monstero...

S6 Ep7: Reflecting on 9/11 with Tom Parker

On this episode we are joined by author Tom Parker and we reflect on the legacy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Tom has written a fantastic in-depth book called “Avoiding the Terrorist Trap”. You can get a copy of the book here: https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/p995 You can follow Tom on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/tdgparker 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...

S6 Ep6: Reflecting on 9/11 with Angie Gad

We are joined by counterterrorism analyst Angie Gad and we reflect on the legacy of 9/11. You can connect with Angie on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Angieslyst 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/watchthefilm Music Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0%E2%80%A6BdNQbuCvt9KWU P...

S6: Reflections on 9/11 & Podcast Update

On this brief podcast, I just wanted to take a moment to share my memories of 9/11 in London 20 years ago. I also wanted to give you a quick update about the podcast. We will have two 9/11 specials over the following week. The podcast will then take a break over October and return on Friday 5th November and continue once a month, with the odd extra episode if time allows. I just want to say if anyone listening was affected in 9/11 you are in my thoughts on this anniversary....

S6 Ep5: License to Parent with former CIA officer Christina Hillsberg

License to Parent On today’s podcast we are joined by former CIA officer Christina Hillsberg, who has written a fantastic book about how she and her husband Ryan have used their CIA training to raise resourceful and self-sufficient children. Christina’s book is great as it gives a real snap shot of how CIA officers think and gives practical examples of how they use that training in their day to day lives. I personally think the book is great for spy buffs and it is also a great self-help book fo...

S6 Ep4: Dr Ayesha Ray on the fall of Afghanistan and its geopolitical consequences

On this episode we are joined Dr Ayesha Ray who is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kings College in Pennsylvania. We discuss the situation in Afghanistan, the media and online reaction to the fall of Kabul. We also take a look at the wider geo-political consequences of the Taliban take over of Afghanistan and we discuss why Pakistan supports them. It’s quite a packed episode! You can follow Dr Ray on twitter here: https://twitter.com/DrAyeshaRay Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been...

S6 Ep3: The fall of Kabul and the fall of Saigon with Frank Snepp

On this episode of Secrets & Spies, we are joined by former CIA officer and Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist Frank Snepp. Frank was a CIA officer who served in the Vietnam war and he was there at the fall of Saigon, so in light of the recent events in Afghanistan we take a look at the similarity and differences between the fall of Saigon and Kabul. We also discuss the intelligence picture that led up to the chaotic scenes we have witnessed as US and NATO forces attempt to evacu...

S6 Ep2: Future Intelligence threats with Rolf Mowatt-Larssen

On this episode of Secrets & Spies, we are joined by Rolf Mowatt-Larssen. Rolf is a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Centre, prior to that appointment he was the Director of Intelligence & Counter Intelligence at the US Department of Energy. Before that he served in the CIA for 23 years as an intelligence officer. On this podcast we discuss future intelligence threats such climate change, WMD’s, Chemical Weapons and more. You can find out more about Rolf here: https://...

S6 Ep1: Money Laundering, Organised Crime and Trojan Shield

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...

S5: The Podcast is five years old!

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...

S5: Between Five Eyes with Anthony Wells

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...

S5: The Spy Who Was Left Out In The Cold with Tim Tate

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...

S5: “Our Man In New York”

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...

S5: Economic Espionage - Ben West from Stratfor

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...

S5: “Hitler’s American Friends” with Bradley W. Hart

“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...

S5: Everything you wanted to know about COVID but were afraid to ask

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...

S5: Avoiding The Terrorist Trap with Tom Parker

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...

Podcast Update Feb 2021 - "The Tiers (or tears) of Patreon"

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