Drycleanercast: Espionage, Terrorism & Geopolitics

Matt Fulton interviews Shane Harris from the Washington Post on today's podcast. Shane has written about intelligence, security and foreign policy for over two decades. He is a staff writer with The Washington Post, covering U.S. intelligence agencies and national security. Shane takes us through his research on the Nord Stream attack and how it is not as straightforward as previously believed. These are Shane’s articles discussed in the episode: No conclusive evidence Russia is behind Nord Stream attack https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/21/russia-nord-stream-explosions/ Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Pipelines, U.S. Officials Say https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/politics/nord-stream-pipeline-sabotage-ukraine.html Intelligence officials suspect Ukraine partisans behind Nord Stream bombings, rattling Kyiv’s allies https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/07/intelligence-officials-suspect-ukraine-partisans-behind-nord-stream-bombings-rattling

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt look at President Joe Biden’s historic trip to Ukraine, leaked documents showing how Russia plans to take over Belarus, and CIA director William Burns's secret trip to Libya and more! Links to articles discussed in this episode “Biden’s Surreal and Secretive Journey Into a War Zone” By Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear for the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/politics/biden-kyiv-ukraine.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare “Revealed: Leaked document shows how Russia plans to take over Belarus” By Michael Weiss and Holger Roonemaa for Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/russia-belarus-strategy-document-230035184.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma “Russian state news accidentally publishes article saying Russia has defeated Ukraine and restored its 'historical borders” By Yelena Dzhanova for Yahoo News & Business Insider https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-state-news-accidentally-publishes-181749627.html “

On today's podcast, I am joined by journalist John Sweeney, the author of “Killer in the Kremlin”. John joins me from Kyiv, and we reflect on the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. You can get a copy of “Killer in the Kremlin” and find out more about John and his work here: https://www.johnsweeney.co.uk/ You can support his freelance work in Ukraine here: https://www.patreon.com/JohnSweeneyRoar You can follow John on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/johnsweeneyroar For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * 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/

On today podcast I am joined by Dr Taras Kuzio and we reflect on the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine and we discuss what to expect in the months ahead.  You can also visit Dr Kuzio’s website here: http://www.betweeneuropeandrussia.com/ You can connect with Dr.Kuzio on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TarasKuzio For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * 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  TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies  FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies  SPOUTIBLE https:

On todays Super Bowl Special, we are joined by author Kevin Bryant to discuss his book “Spies on the sidelines” which looks at espionage within the NFL.  Kevin’s book “Spies on the Sidelines” is available here: https://www.spiesonthesidelines.com/  Connect with Kevin via social media: Facebook: @kevinbryant.author  Instagram: @kevinbryant.author  Twitter: @kevbryantauthor  Linkedin: @kevinbryantauthor Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/  You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * 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

On today's episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt take a look at the Chinese “weather balloon” (Spy Balloon), Israel's drone strike on an Iranian missile facility and a Russian spy in the ranks of the BND, Germany’s foreign intelligence service Topics covered Chinese Spy Balloon & Chinese electronic espionage in the west https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinas-spy-balloon-over-montana-is-part-of-a-larger-more-troubling-pattern https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-look-chinese-spy-balloon-debris-being-recovered https://inews.co.uk/news/hidden-chinese-tracking-device-government-car-national-security-2070152 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/22/tiktok-bytedance-workers-fired-data-access-journalists Iran Drone strike https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/world/middleeast/iran-drone-strike-israel.html Russian Spy in the BND German BND officer caught spying for Russia named https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-spy-arrest-germany-foreign-intelligence-agency-treason/ h

On today's podcast, I am joined by former CIA analyst Yaya J Fanusie. Yaya was my third guest on the podcast back in 2016, and he returns today to tell us about his exciting new podcast called “The Jabbari Lincoln Files”. “The Jabarri Lincoln Files” is a CIA-based espionage thriller that partly takes a look at the world of Financial intelligence. Yaya and I talk about the real-world inspiration for his podcast, and we also discuss his writing process and artistic influences. You can listen to “The Jabarri Lincoln Files” here: https://podfollow.com/the-jabbari-lincoln-files And you can read The Jabbari Lincoln blog here: https://www.jabbarilincoln.com The podcast is available via the following links: On Apple Podcasts: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jabbari-lincoln-files/id1663688674) On Amazon/Audible: (https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Jabbari-Lincoln-Files-Podcast/B0BQWH3Q1S?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp), On Google Podcasts:(https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know this month's Espresso Martini has been delayed by a week. It will return on Saturday 11th Feb. See you then.

Malcolm Nance joins us on our first special podcast looking at Ukraine as we get close to the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. Malcolm visited Ukraine before the war, joined the Ukrainian army and fought on the front line against Russian forces. Malcolm is an American author and media commentator on terrorism, intelligence, insurgency, and torture. He is a former United States Navy senior chief petty officer specializing in naval cryptology. He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller “The Plot to Hack America” and his latest book “They Want To Kill Americans”. “They Want To Kill Americans” You can purchase it here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250279002/theywanttokillamericans TAPSTRI Malcolm mentions TAPSTRI, in which you can directly donate to the international legion fighting in Ukraine here: https://tapstri.org/ Malcolm’s Substack Subscribe here: https://malcolmnance.substack.com/ Malcolm’s Twitter https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance Music  Andre

On today's podcast, I am joined by Sam Lichtenstein.  Sam is a Director of Analysis at RANE, which stands for Risk Assistance Network and Exchange.  In this episode, we will look at world events for the year ahead with RANE’s annual Global forecast for 2023. 2023 looks to be another challenging year, and I think you will want to check it out. It’s a deep episode, so pour yourself your favourite drink, sit back, and I hope you find it informative. To find out more about RANE and its annual global forecast, please visit their website here: https://www.ranenetwork.com/ Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network.  Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ Music  Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) provides music on this podcast. You can check out his work here:  https://www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0%E2%80%A6BdNQbuCvt9KWU You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways: - [ ] Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3

On today's podcast, I am joined by Bernd von Koska, who is the curator of the Allied Museum in Berlin and co-author of the excellent book Capital of Spies. In this episode, we discuss Capital of Spies which takes a look at the history of Cold War Berlin.  You can get a copy of Capital of Spies here: https://www.casematepublishing.co.uk/capital-of-spies.html And you can find out more about the Allied Museum here: https://www.alliiertenmuseum.de/en/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/  You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:  Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon f

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to Espresso Martini episode Four, which is our first podcast of 2023. On todays episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt take a look at a coup plot in Germany that was discovered by the German authorities and they also take a look at the rising Covid numbers in China and the official denials coming from the ruling Communist Party. Related articles to the discussion: German Coup Plot: Germany arrests 25 accused of plotting coup https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63885028 The Motley Crew that Wanted to Topple the German Government https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/prince-putsch-and-his-gang-the-motley-crew-that-wanted-to-topple-the-german-government-a-07a32d7c-96e6-4b61-a282-9e9ab2ffa288 Is a far-right coup possible in Germany? https://www.dw.com/en/is-a-far-right-coup-possible-in-germany/a-64041643 Rise of Covid in China: China Covid: experts estimate 9,000 deaths a day as US says it may sample wastewater from planes https://www.theguardian.com/

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt take a look at the key stories from November in the world of espionage, geopolitics and intrigue.  They discuss the Crimean Bridge Attack, infighting among Putin’s allies, a Russian GRU officer who defected to Estonia, a spy trial at the Old Bailey and the hit Star Wars espionage series Andor. Links to articles discussed are below How Ukraine blew up the bridge - By James Glanz and Marco Hernandez – New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/17/world/europe/crimea-bridge-collapse.html The BBC on October 9th published an article By Paul Adamstitled “Crimean Bridge; Who or what caused the explosion” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63192757 Civil War among Putin Allies – Isabel Van Brugen - Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/leaked-fsb-letters-civial-war-putin-allies-prigozhin-kadyrov-1760455 Russian Spy Defects – Michael Weiss – Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-ex-russian-spy-flees-to-the-nato-country-that-captured-him-d

On this podcast episode, we are joined by author and journalist Dave Troy. Dave is an Investigative journalist addressing threats to democracy, and we discuss the possible ideological motivations behind Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter, and it’s national security implications. Read Dave’s fantastic article: “No, Elon and Jack are not competitors. They’re collaborating” https://davetroy.medium.com/no-elon-and-jack-are-not-competitors-theyre-collaborating-3e88cde5267d You can find out more about Dave Troy and his work here: https://about.davetroy.com/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/  You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * Subscribe to our Youtube p

On the second episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt do their best to cover events from the jam pact month of October. Topics discussed Elon Musk takes over Twitter Russian espionage foiled in the US and Europe Mysterious Chinese "Police stations" have been discovered in UK, USA & Europe Spy Entertainment Links The Dry Cleaner is screening at the Horsham Film Festival on 30th November Tickets are available here: https://www.everymancinema.com/Booking/horsham/8814967 Articles discussed in the show: No, Elon and Jack are not “competitors.” They’re collaborating https://davetroy.medium.com/no-elon-and-jack-are-not-competitors-theyre-collaborating-3e88cde5267d Elon Musk Spoke to Putin Before Tweeting Ukraine Peace Plan: Report https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-blocks-starlink-in-crimea-amid-nuclear-fears-report-2022-10 US army doctor and wife charged with Russia spying  https://topsecretumbra.substack.com/p/its-raining-traitors Russians expelled from the Hague https://euobserver.com/wo

Social Media Disinformation Mid Terms and Elon Musk with David Neiwert On this podcast episode, we are joined by author and journalist David Neiwert. David is an expert on the far-right, so he joins us to discuss online disinformation, the upcoming US midterm elections and the concerns about Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter.  You can read David’s articles here: https://www.dailykos.com/users/david%20neiwert 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: https://www.versobooks.com/books/2801-alt-america and you can listen to our 2018 interview with David about his book here: https://pod.fo/e/14f9f and our 2021 chat about the Jan 6th Insurrection: https://pod.fo/e/b2262 It’s a deep episode, so pour yourself your favourite drink, sit back and I hope you find it informative.  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For mor

On today's podcast, we are joined by former CIA officer and investigative journalist Frank Snepp.  Frank recently published an article titled "Stop Kvetching About Biden’s Afghan “Screw-Ups” – Kudos Are Owed”.  You can read it here: https://franksneppexclusives.com/?p=519 This is a detailed episode where I take a back seat and let Frank explain what he found.  In the last section of the podcast, we discuss the broader context of the evacuation and what it is like to play god in an evacuation, having to decide who can leave and who has to stay. It’s a deep episode, so pour yourself your favourite drink, sit back, and I hope you find it informative.  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spy

We are joined by Matthew Orr, a Eurasian analyst at RANE, Risk Assistance Network & Exchange in this episode. We discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine and what to expect as winter settles in. We also look at Putin’s political motivations for the war and speculate on his future and what a Russia without Putin may look like. You can find out more about RANE here: https://www.ranenetwork.com/ And you can also read a few of Matthew’s reports in the links below: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/drivers-and-potential-threats-deepening-russia-turkey-ties https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/what-ukraines-victory-kharkiv-means-russias-war https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/bracing-protracted-war-ukraine-part-1-time-kyivs-side https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/bracing-protracted-war-ukraine-part-2-time-russias-side Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check ou

In this episode, we are joined by Nick Lowles from Hope Not Hate.   Hope Not Hate is the real organisation behind ITV’s The Walk-In. Nick joins us to discuss the work of Hope Not Hate, and he gives us an overview of the far-right in Britain today.  We also discuss a Far Right plot by the terrorist group National Action to murder Labour MP, Rosie Cooper. That plot was foiled by a National Action member who objected to violence and became an informant for Hope Not Hate. The plot to murder Rosie Cooper has now been turned into an excellent ITV television drama called “The Walk-In.” Find out more about Hope Not Hate here: https://hopenothate.org.uk/ You can connect with Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lowles_nick Watch "The Walk-In" on ITV player here: https://www.itv.com/hub/the-walk-in/2a7556a0005 Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://

In this episode, we are joined again by Dr Taras Kuzio, discussing the latest developments on Russia’s war against Ukraine.  Taras Kuzio is a professor of political science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and the author of Russian Nationalism and the Russian-Ukrainian War (2022) and Fascism and Genocide: Russia’s War Against Ukrainians (2023).  You can connect with him on Twitter https://twitter.com/TarasKuzio Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/  You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.