Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

“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...

Pandemic and Anti Vaccination Conspiracy Theories with Debra WinterOn 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...

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.c...

"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 o...

Secrets & Spies Present: Need to KnowNeed 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” wh...

NEED TO KNOW: Russian Bounties with Frank SneppA 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 s...

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 spacePlease support this podcastGet 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...

CIA in Vietnam with Frank SneppOn 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...

“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 he...

Why Spies SpyOn 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/B...

WELCOME TO NEED TO KNOWOn 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 2020On 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-coronav...

WELCOME TO NEED TO KNOWOn 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...

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 t...

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 
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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 S...

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 podcastGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month 
 www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If y...

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 i...

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 www.paypal.me/drycleanercast -- Payments over $5 please Include your email in a note and I'll send over this months bonus content. Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released! You can buy the film here:
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WELCOME TO EPISODE THIRTY-TWOOn this month’s podcast, we are joined by author John Calvert. We discuss his book “Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism”You can purchase the book at the following linksAmazon (UK) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1849049491/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Amazon (US) https://www.amazon.com/Sayyid-Qutb-Origins-Radical-Islamism/dp/0199333475/ref=sr_1_1?keyw...

WELCOME TO NEED TO KNOW On this month’s podcast, we are joined by author and journalist David Neiwert. We discuss the latest developments with the far-right across the USA & Europe. David is the author of a fantastic book called "Alt America: The Rise of the Alt-Right in the Age of Trump". You can get a copy here: amzn.to/2PKvY5p and you can listen to our earlier interview with David...

WELCOME TO EPISODE THIRTY ONE“The Spy In Moscow Station”On this months podcast, we are joined by the NSA’s former director of research Eric Haseltine. We discuss his fantastic book “The Spy In Moscow Station”, which takes a look at an investigation into the suspected bugging of the US Embassy in Moscow. The book is available at your preferred sites. You can purchase a copy and support the show via...

WELCOME TO EPISODE THIRTYOn this month’s podcast, the tables have turned. Today host Chris Carr will discuss the making of his new spy film “The Dry Cleaner”. There are some minor spoilers and a little swearing in the discussion (Sorry)Check out the film trailer here:
 youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 You can buy the film here: www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Huge thank you to Rob Wallis of Electric Sha...

WELCOME TO EPISODE TWENTY NINEWe are joined by author and journalist Tim Tate, and we discuss his fantastic book “Hitler’s British Traitors”, which is quite timely with the 80th anniversary of World War 2 just passing. You can find out more about Tim at his website: www.timtate.co.uk and connect with him on Twitter www.twitter.com/TimTateBooks DID YOU ENJOY THIS EPISODE? PLEASE LEAVE ME A TIP VIA...

WELCOME TO TWENTY EIGHTWe are joined by Angie Gad and we discuss her website “My Islam”, which she set up to counter Islamic extremist propaganda with a more accurate interpretation of Islam. You can visit My Islam here: https://www.myislamproject.com/ You can connect with Angie on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Angieslyst DID YOU ENJOY THIS EPISODE? Please leave me a tip via Pay Pal here: www....

WELCOME TO TWENTY SEVEN We are joined by Iain Ballantyne, author of “The Deadly Trade: The Complete History of Submarine Warfare”We discuss the role of Submarines and Submarine Hunters in the build-up to D-Day and their role in an allied victory that lead to the end of World War Two. In the later section, we talk about veterans we have met and where to see some of the submarines and ships involved...