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

Peter Merlin, an aerospace historian and author of "DREAMLAND: THE SECRET HISTORY OF AREA 51," dives deep into the fascinating history of Area 51. He discusses its role in the development of iconic military aircraft like the U-2 and F-117, shifting focus from conspiracy theories to real Cold War operations. Merlin also elaborates on the impact of atomic tests on the base and the evolution of stealth technology. He emphasizes the human stories behind the classified projects, offering a unique perspective on this enigmatic site.

Chris and Matt are enjoying a late-summer break. Please enjoy this episode of Extra Shot, our bonus show for Patreon subscribers, originally aired May 11th, 2024. Secrets and Spies will return for season 9 with a new Espresso Martini on September 14th.Take our anonymous listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSRSSSPReporting discussed in the episode"Asio boss says privacy ‘not absolute’ as he urges social media companies to do more on extremism" by Josh Butler | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/24/asio-boss-says-privacy-not-absolute-as-he-urges-social-media-companies-to-do-more-on-extremism"Autocracies Are Winning the Information War" by Tom Nichols | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/05/the-plot-to-discredit-democracy/678315/"Putin’s Propagandists Rage Against the Republican ‘Betrayal’" by Julia Davis | CEPA: https://cepa.org/article/putins-propagandists-rage-against-the-republican-betrayal/"The Royal Navy is going through difficult times" by Stavros Atlamazoglou | Sandboxx News: https://www.sandboxx.us/news/royal-navy-woes/Support Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Hello, everyone. We just wanted to say a huge thank you for your support during season 8. We will be starting Season 9 on the 14th of September. Before we start the new season, we wanted to hear from you about your thoughts on the podcast and if there is anything you would like us to do.Please take part in our anonymous listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSRSSSPThank you for taking the time to participate in our survey and for all your support over the year. Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialTWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSecrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.Music by Andrew R. Bird

Join us on today’s podcast as we sit down with author and investigative journalist Tim Tate to chat about his fascinating new book, To Catch A Spy. Tim takes us behind the scenes of the SpyCatcher affair, where the Thatcher government of the 1980s tried to silence MI5 whistleblower Peter Wright. It’s a gripping tale of cover-ups, deception, and its impact on MI5 today. So, grab your favourite drink, get comfortable, and enjoy this intriguing conversation with Tim!To find out more about Tim and To Catch A Spy, visit: https://timtate.co.uk/Support Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social mediaTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSecrets & Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

In this episode, we’re joined by Florian Flade, an investigative journalist for Germany’s public broadcaster ARD, based in Berlin. Florian takes us inside the gripping true story of two Russian sleeper spies who lived undercover in Germany for years, posing as an ordinary family. Drawing parallels to the fictional world of The Americans, this real-life espionage tale reveals the extraordinary lengths to which Russia will go to spy on foreign nations. Join us as Florian shares insights from his in-depth research and podcast, shedding light on one of the most remarkable espionage operations uncovered in recent history.Please note that this episode was recorded before the historic prisoner swap with Russia in early August.To listen to Florian’s podcast “Die Anschlags – Russlands Spione unter uns”  visit this link: https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/die-anschlags-russlands-spione-unter-uns-wdr-und-ndr/13420611/ For more information and to connect with Florian, please follow the links below.Blog: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/Twitter: https://x.com/FlorianFladeSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSecrets & Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD. 

On today’s episode, Washington Post national security reporter and friend of the show, Shane Harris, joins Matt to discuss last week's historic prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, securing the release of several prominent journalists and pro-democracy activists. Shane dives into his reporting on the swap, detailing months of delicate negotiations, who the Russians got in return, and touches on the complicated question of whether these exchanges incentivize autocrats like Putin to take hostage more Westerners and journalists to extract concessions from their governments.Read Shane’s work for The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shane-harris/Follow Shane on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaneharrisFollow Shane on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shanewharrisReporting and groups discussed in the episode"Inside the deal that led to a blockbuster prisoner swap between US, Russia" by Shane Harris, Yasmeen Abutaleb & Souad Mekhennet: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/08/01/deal-us-russia-prisoner-swap/Committee to Protect Journalists: https://cpj.orgJames Foley Legacy Foundation: https://jamesfoleyfoundation.orgSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

In today’s special episode, Phillip Smyth, a leading expert on Iranian-backed militias, returns to dissect the latest wave of conflict in the Middle East. Recent escalations have claimed the lives of a dozen Israeli civilians and two senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. Retaliation from Iran and its allies is expected at any moment, leaving the region once again on the brink of a potentially more widespread and unrestrained war. Phillip sheds light on who these two men were and what their deaths mean for their organizations, parses the delicate messaging and maneuvering behind the scenes, and offers his insights on what Iran and Hezbollah’s imminent response might entail.Phillip’s work for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/phillip-smythPhillip’s work for West Point’s Combatting Terrorism Center: https://ctc.westpoint.edu/authors/phillip-smythFollow Phillip on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhillipSmythReporting discussed in the episode"Who Is Fuad Shukr, Target of the Israeli Strike on Beirut?" by Aaron Boxerman, Ronen Bergman & Euan Ward: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/world/middleeast/fuad-shukr-hezbollah-israel-strike.html"Bomb Smuggled Intro Tehran Guesthouse Months Ago Killed Hamas Leader" by Ronen Bergman, Mark Mazzetti & Farnaz Fassihi: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/middleeast/how-hamas-leader-haniyeh-killed-iran-bomb.html"Iran Arrests Dozens in Search for Suspects in Killing of Hamas Leader" by Farnaz Fassihi: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/world/middleeast/iran-security-response-hamas-assassination.html"Houthis Launch Deadly Drone Strike on Tel Aviv, Evading Israel’s Defenses" by Gabby Sobelman, Aaron Boxerman, Ronen Bergman, Lara Jakes & Erin Mendel: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/world/middleeast/houthis-drone-strike-tel-aviv.htmlSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaTwitter / X: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

On today’s podcast, we are joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, historian, and journalist Anne Applebaum. In this episode, we discuss Anne’s latest book, Autocracy Inc., which examines how and why autocracies try to undermine democracy. We also consider what can be done to better protect ourselves from anti-democratic propaganda.Find out more about “Autocracy Inc” here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725302/autocracy-inc-by-anne-applebaumConnect with Anne and find out more about her work here: https://www.anneapplebaum.comSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social mediaTwitter / X: https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Today, we will look at a Russian operative who was arrested in France, details on the failed assassination of Donald Trump, and a little at President Biden stepping out of the 2024 Presidential race.On Extra Shot we will be looking at a developing spy case in Australia, Tech Broligarch’s courting Trump, influences driving extreme misogyny and a former US analyst accused of spying for South KoreaTo get access to Extra Shot you’ll need to become a Patreon subscriber. You can do that by clicking this link here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-27-07-108936531?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkArticle Discussed on Espresso Martinihttps://theins.ru/en/politics/273350https://www.twz.com/news-features/experienced-snipers-break-down-the-trump-assassination-attempthttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/us/politics/cheatle-secret-service-director-resigns.htmlhttps://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/agency-crisis-secret-service-decade-old-staffing-shortfall-rcna162698https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51ydg792ggohttps://theins.ru/en/opinion/weiss/273301Youtube Videos Chris mentionedhttps://youtu.be/zfATfPIpDc4?si=V1Ut0C0tTpnGKJLdhttps://youtu.be/FsvJzfXZI18?si=IW6QqDzgclbpKtfCArticles Discussed on Extra Shothttps://www.9news.com.au/national/one-of-two-russians-accused-of-attempting-to-leak-australian-military-secrets-to-moscow-told-colleagues-of-special-forces/2207002f-49a1-4d2f-8d2c-e8ec74b3b20ehttps://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-soldier-and-husband-charged-with-spying-for-russia/72e72264-a236-40e9-89c6-ee1bc27dfb90https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/20/tech-broligarchs-court-trump-vance-elon-musk-peter-thiel  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cne4vw1x83pohttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/nyregion/sue-mi-terry-cia-south-korea.htmlSupport Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialTWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSecrets & Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.

On today’s special episode, Matt is joined again by Jacob Ware, a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations focusing on domestic and international terrorism. Jacob helps make sense of last weekend’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump, placing it in the larger context of political violence in the United States and the ongoing threat to the presidential election.Read Jacob’s coverage of the Trump assassination attempt and preventing violence in the 2024 election:https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/trump-assassination-attempt-poses-new-test-us-democracyhttps://time.com/6998930/the-trump-assassination-attempt-represents-a-dark-new-chapter-in-american-politics/https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2024-07-15/trump-assassination-attempt-poses-new-test-for-u-s-democracyhttps://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4411720-assassination-attempts-are-on-the-rise-worldwide-is-the-us-next/https://www.cfr.org/report/preventing-us-election-violence-2024Follow Jacob on social media:https://x.com/Jacob_A_WareSupport Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialTWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSecrets & Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.