The Dark State

Information has become weaponised. Russia and other hostile states have pioneered the use of information warfare to attack their enemies. Is disinformation a threat to national security? And if so, how should governments confront it? John Mooney speaks to Nina Jankowicz, the author of How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News and the Future of Conflict.

John Mooney is joined by Declan Power, Michael O'Toole and Tony Hearty to discuss the threats which Ireland is likely to face in 2022. Organised crime, dissident republicanism and loyalism coupled with Ireland's inability to confront hostile states are discussed by the panel.

Global warming is the single greatest security threat Ireland is ever likely to face. To discuss this complex issue, John Mooney is joined by Mark Mellet, the recently retired Defence Forces Chief of Staff.

The Irish government has just published its proposals to protect the integrity of the telecommunications sector. Dr Steven Conlon provides an analysis of the Electronic Communications Security Measures (ECSM).

Little Blue Heroes is a charity set up to support sick children and their families. It’s a fantastic charity. The children are made honorary gardai and give little uniforms, miniature garda patrol cars and motorbikes. They are even given their own ID number. The charity also organises for these youngsters to visit garda stations where they meet local officers who take them on patrol. So this month...

What is the future of the Irish Defence Forces? Years of neglect by successive Irish governments has undermined its ability to fulfil its mission. Today’s programme looks at the pending crisis facing the Irish military? Will it be capable of protecting Ireland from external threats in the years and decades ahead? Will a new government commission on the future of defence make any difference? Or is...

The region is synonymous with paramilitaries, smuggling and money laundering. John Mooney discusses the unique challenges that policing the border presents with Pat Marry and Ken Pennington, former police officers who have vast experiences of the region.

Afghanistan has been lost to the Taliban. Will it once again become a safe haven for Islamic terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Might the US withdrawal inspire a new generation of jihadists. If so, what are the consequences for the West? John Mooney speaks to Bruce Hoffman, the acclaimed author, critical thinker and expert on terrorism and counter-terrorism. He is a Professor at Ge...

Should Ireland continue to send troops abroad to participate in peacekeeping missions? Ireland has been sending soldiers into conflict zones since 1958 but has the time come to rethink this policy? Do Irish soldiers gain anything from the experience or are such missions just an additional drain on a depleted military’s resources? John Mooney discuss the issue with Prof Ray Murphy of NUI Galway and...

The Omagh bombing of August 1998 was the largest single loss of life in the Troubles. 29 people and unborn twin girls lost their lives when a Real IRA car bomb exploded. Among those who died were young children, parents and grandparents. Today we ask if the atrocity altered the course of violent dissident republicanism and heralded the end of car bomb attacks?

John Mooney speaks to Iain Turner of Balaclava Street, the acclaimed blog which provides a unique insight in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Turner provides an insight into the secret history of the loyalist paramilitary group and discusses its opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

They haven’t gone away you know. Loyalist paramilitaries are making their presence felt once again. The Ulster Defence Association, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando are all united in their opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol. This week we return to the subject of loyalist terrorism. Are they still a threat? And could we see the emergence of a new dissident loyalist grou...

Money laundering is the lifeblood of organised crime. Dirty cash mingles with legal money in the banking system like a virus in the bloodstream. So how can it be stopped? John Mooney talks to Jeffrey Robinson, the acclaimed author of The Laundry Men: Inside the World's Third Largest Business.

John Mooney presents a special episode on the cyber attack which has collapsed Ireland's healthcare services. Allan Liska of Recorded Future and Simon Woodworth of University College Cork provide expert analysis on the cyber attack.

This is a feature length episode on the life and crimes of Michael McKevitt, the republican hardliner who is considered to be the founding father of dissident republicanism. McKevitt died on January 2 from cancer. The show examines McKevitt’s role in the Provisional IRA, his decision to set up the Real IRA, the 1998 Omagh bombing, and how an MI5 spy called Dave Rupert helped the Irish and British...

The predicted effects of climate change are endless. They include extreme weather, droughts, rising sea levels and mass migration, not to mention the increased spread of life-threatening diseases. Terrorism may also flourish in countries most impacted. Climate Change is not like other conventional security threats: it has the potential to create multiple security problems, occurring globally at th...

What is the Far Right? And why are ordinary people being drawn towards extremist politics? John Mooney speaks to Dr Anne Speckhard, the Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), about the rise and rise of the Far Right in the United States.

Why is Russia spying in Ireland? And does Russian espionage pose a threat to the Irish economy? Two Russian spy agencies are active in Ireland. Its SVR foreign intelligence service is targeting diplomats, civil servants and public figures. The GRU, the military intelligence branch of the Russian armed forces, is also using Ireland as an operational base. It is also gathering intelligence on the te...

Does China pose a threat to Ireland’s national security? And what of the activities of its intelligence services on Irish soil? John Mooney speaks to the distinguished Chinese expert Charles Burton on the risks posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to Ireland and the dangers of increasing trade with the burgeoning superpower.

Welcome to the Dark State, a subscription only podcast which examines the security threats facing the modern world. Each week we look at the ever changing threat landscape in conversation with security experts, scientists and academics. You can subscribe to the Dark State on Patreon and iTunes, or listen to some free episodes posed on Soundcloud, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

So which is it? Does Al Qaeda or Islamic State pose the greatest threat to the West? Or is radical Islam leaderless and in flux? And do jihadist extremists pose a threat to Irish security? John Mooney speaks to Moign Khawaja, a PHD candidate at Dublin City University (DCU) who is conducting research into jihadist propaganda. Khawaja is a leading expert on Islamic terrorist organisations and a reco...

Does the Far Right pose a threat to democracy and security in Ireland? John Mooney speaks to Aoife Gallagher, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).