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

On todays episode we will be looking at what the Israeli Intelligence services may have known before the 7th October Hamas terrorist attack. We will then look at reports of traders who may have benefited from the attacks. We have a developing spy scandal involving an alleged Cuban mole within the US State Department, and we will wrap up looking at a developing situation between Venezuela and Guyana over an oil-rich disputed territory. On Extra Shot, our exclusive Patreon show that follows this, we will be looking at the financing of Hamas, the ongoing ideological debate within US universities over the 7th October attacks, aggressive Sonar use by the Chinese navy targeting Australian naval divers, and we will end at reports of Ukrainian action against the main railway between Russia and China. You will need to be a Patreon subscriber to get access to Extra Shot. Click here to subscribe and listen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-8th-94312976?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkArticles discussed in Espresso MartiniIsrael Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Agohttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.htmlUnknown traders appear to have anticipated October 7 Hamas attack, research finds https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/04/business/some-traders-appear-to-have-anticipated-october-7-hamas-attack-research-finds/index.htmlFormer career US diplomat charged with secretly spying for Cuban intelligence for decades https://apnews.com/article/cuba-bolivia-former-ambassador-arrested-e30bf2d027e32ac8b66ff051062273dcCuban Spy Service Dazzles Againhttps://open.substack.com/pub/spytalk/p/cuban-spy-service-dazzles-again?r=19kty&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email‘Despotic’ Maduro accused of risking Venezuela-Guyana  conflict over oil-rich region https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/venezuela-oil-guyana-essequibo-vote-nicolas-maduroArticles Discussed on Extra ShotHamas’s Main Source of Funding Might Surprise You https://newrepublic.com/article/176962/hamas-finances-funding-sources-palestinian-authority?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tnr_daily&utm_term=&utm_content=A Tale of Two Ivory Towers  https://www.newsweek.com/tale-two-ivory-towers-opinion-1845433Australia says, China navy used sonar pulses against divershttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/67461081Ukraine's Security Service blows up railway linking Russia and Chinahttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/11/30/7431023/If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today’s episode, Chris is joined again by Dr Taras Kuzio. They discuss the latest developments with Russia’s War on Ukraine and Dr Kuzio’s research on the Anti-Western Axis, which includes Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.Dr Kuzio is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla and a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. He is the Winner of the Peterson Literary Prize for his book "Russian Nationalism and Russian-Ukrainian War."You can follow Dr Kuzio on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/TarasKuzioIf you enjoyed the podcast, please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today’s episode, Matt is joined again by Phillip Smyth. Phillip is a leading expert on Iranian proxy groups, such as Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, and has conducted research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the University of Maryland. They discuss the spate of attacks by Iranian-backed militias against US forces in the Middle East since the Gaza War began. Phillip tells us who these groups are, what their strategy is, and if he sees potential for the violence to escalate.Phillip’s research at the Washington Institute: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/phillip-smyth.Follow Phillip on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhillipSmyth.If you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

Happy Thanksgiving to our listeners in the US!On today's episode we will be looking at the potential hostage deal with Hamas, we will also be looking at a few articles on how people are still coming to terms with the Hamas attacks, new information on the disastrous deal that led to Ukraine giving up it’s nuclear arsenal, and we will look at how political dysfunction is growing to be the number one threat to the US.On Extra Shot, our exclusive Patreon show that follows this, we will be looking at growing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, a ransomware cyber-attack that has cripple the British Library, Tik Toks latest icon and how to avoid conflict over the thanksgiving holidays in the US. You will need to be a Patreon subscriber to get access to Extra Shot. Click here to subscribe and listen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-23rd-93392480?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkArticles discussed in Espresso MartiniHamas Hostages dealhttps://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/21/politics/negotiations-israel-hamas-hostages?cid=ios_appFor Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer.https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-back-channel-gershon-hamad.htmlAll My Life, I’ve Watched Violence Fail the Palestinian Causehttps://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/israeli-palestinian-conflict-hope/675917/Political Dysfunction is the greatest threat to UShttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/13/america-disruption-superpower-national-security-suicide/Deceit, Dread, and Disbelief: The Story of How Ukraine Lost Its Nuclear Arsenalhttps://nationalinterest.org/feature/deceit-dread-and-disbelief-story-how-ukraine-lost-its-nuclear-arsenal-207076Articles Discussed on Extra ShotNew European Article titled “The west must act to stop Balkans tensions boiling over by Petrit Selimi (Pe-Trit Sel-imi)https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/the-west-must-act-to-stop-balkans-tensions-boiling-over/BBC article titled: “British Library: Employee data leaked in cyber attack” By Yasmin Rufohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67484639Is Bin Laden the new Che Guevara? https://www.msnbc.com/andrea-mitchell-reports/watch/viral-bin-laden-speech-is-a-failure-of-education-rhetoric-being-celebrated-is-appalling-1981537976196 Tips to navigate a tense Thanksgiving Dinnerhttps://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/6-ways-to-handle-a-tense-thanksgiving-according-to-a-family-therapist.htmlIf you enjoyed the podcast please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

There won’t be an Espresso Martini today. Instead, Chris is re-sharing the first-ever episode in which he is joined by the author Meredith Tax, and they discuss her book “The Double Bind”, which looks at the problematic relationship between Anglo American left and the Muslim right. Later in the podcast, they also discuss the role of Kurdish women in the fight against ISIS.You can get a copy of the Double Bind here:UKhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZKEJ0U88CK4F&keywords=the+double+bind+meredith+tax&qid=1699649198&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1UShttps://www.amazon.com/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SGNS9LZ9PFXX&keywords=the+double+bind+meredith+tax&qid=1699649248&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1AUShttps://www.amazon.com.au/Double-Bind-Muslim-Anglo-American-Universal/dp/0988830302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=238AGSX9HY3UG&keywords=THE+DOUBLE+BIND+MEREDITH+TAX&qid=1699649285&sprefix=the+double+bind+meredith+tax%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1If you enjoyed the podcast, please support the show and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot." Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today's podcast, Chris is joined by Malcolm Nance, and they discuss the terrible 7th October attacks, the origins of Hamas, the Iranian connection and what may lie ahead for Israel’s war with Hamas.You can read more of Malcolm Nance’s work on his substance here: https://malcolmnance.substack.com/And you can watch his video Podcast “Black Man Spy” here: https://www.youtube.com/@blackmanspy-bo1lk/videosIf you enjoyed the podcast, please support the show by becoming a Patreon subscriber. You will get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot" and directly support the podcast. Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER”, which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On Espresso Martini, we take a look at the complexity of Gaza hostage rescue efforts and Hamas’s intelligence efforts in preparation for the 7th October Attacks. We also look at Ukraine receiving much-needed ATACMS missiles, Russia’s Unit 29155’s assassination and sabotage operations in Europe, and to finish up, we look at Donald Trump’s plans to withdraw the US from NATO.On Extra Shot, our exclusive bonus Patreon show, we look at how storytelling helps trauma victims and how Elon Musk’s X is now rampant with misinformation. We also look at a surprising number of celebrities who once served as spies and offer our thoughts on Errol Morris’s new John Le Carré documentary, “The Pigeon Tunnel”Get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot."Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesLinks discussedEspresso Martinihttps://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/hostage-rescue-experts-on-the-daunting-challenges-israel-faceshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/21/opinion/israel-hamas-hostage.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleSharehttps://www.spytalk.co/p/the-spies-of-hamas?utm_campaign=posthttps://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-form-unit-tasked-with-killing-hamas-commandos-behind-oct-7-assault/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/world/europe/ukraine-atacms-attacks-russia.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleSharehttps://theins.ru/en/politics/266039https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-u-s-leave-nato-1234860016/Extra Shothttps://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/10/08/1203975027/what-survivors-of-trauma-have-taught-this-eminent-psychiatrist-about-hope?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-gbhttps://www.adweek.com/media/verified-accounts-x-spread-wartime-misinformation/https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/10/22/celebrity-spies-houdini-fleming-baker/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/movies/the-pigeon-tunnel-review.htmlThe Le CarréCast interview with Le Carré biographer Adam Sismanhttps://lecarrecast.com/2023/10/21/adam-sisman-on-the-secret-life-of-john-le-carre/?fbclid=IwAR0EwkLWif1CYbPi3mrUCYTgKaqvjE0pBhkFqxUmKeJbBKkVQ-R9wInOz_0Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today's podcast, Chris is joined by author Aaron Stark, and they discuss Aaron’s book “Disrupting Time”, which looks at the battle between Swiss and American watch companies in the 1870s. You can find out more about Aaron’s book “Disrupting Time” here: https://www.aaronstarkbooks.com/Get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot."Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4Find out more about Matt Fulton and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today’s episode, Matt is joined by Phillip Smyth. Phillip is a leading expert on Iranian-backed terrorist groups, such as Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, and has conducted research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the University of Maryland. They discuss Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, the question of Iran’s involvement, and the potential for the war to expand throughout the Middle East.Content Warning: This episode contains some graphic descriptions of atrocities Hamas committed against Israeli civilians during the October 7th terrorist attack.Phillip’s research at the Washington Institute: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/phillip-smyth.Follow Phillip on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhillipSmyth.Get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot."Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesFind out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies

On today's podcast, we are joined by author Stuart A Reid, and we discuss his fantastic new book “The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination”. The assassination target was the Congo’s first Prime Minister after independence from the Belgians, Patrice Lumumba. You can find out more about Stuart and the book here: https://www.stuartareid.com/the-lumumba-plotYou can buy the book using the following Amazon links below:Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Lumumba-Plot-Secret-History-Assassination-ebook/dp/B0BRMMVWBY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10HKJBLFXVOXA&keywords=THE+LUMUMBA+PLOT&qid=1697477974&sprefix=the+lumumba+plot%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1New Zealand: https://www.amazon.com/Lumumba-Plot-Secret-History-Assassination/dp/1524748811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AQMXT0HR88Y0&keywords=the+lumumba+plot+stuart+reid&qid=1697478045&sprefix=the+lumu%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumumba-Plot-Secret-History-Assassination/dp/1524748811USA: https://www.amazon.com/Lumumba-Plot-Secret-History-Assassination/dp/1524748811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=112OL1W0OJJRB&keywords=the+lumumba+plot+stuart+reid&qid=1697477912&sprefix=THE+LUMUMBA+%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1Support the podcast and get access to our new Patreon-only show, "Extra Shot."Go to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page and subscribe there to get access: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesFind out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies:  * 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=uConnect 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/SecretsAndSpies