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

On this episode, Matt sits down with his friend and fellow indie spy writer Stephen England. They talk about Stephen's decade-long career as a novelist, the history and development of his 'Shadow Warriors' series, their inspirations, and the ethics of writing in the spy genreFor more information about Stephen and his books, check out his Amazon page: shorturl.at/elFI0For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSupport 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=uFind 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt take a look at President Xi’s trip to China, Chinese espionage against the west and the revelations of a recent Russian defector who paints a less than flattering picture of President Putin and his mental state. Links to articles discussed on this episode“China portrays Xi’s Russia trip as bid for leadership of non-Western world” – by Lily Kuo for the Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/21/china-xi-russia-world-leadership/“China waging decades-long spy war” by Calder Walton for Foreign Policyhttps://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/28/china-has-been-waging-a-decades-long-all-out-spy-war/“Russian defector sheds light on Putin paranoia and his secret train network” by Andrew Roth and Pjotr Sauer for The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/05/russian-defector-sheds-light-on-putin-paranoia-including-secret-trainFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesSupport 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=u Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER”, now available on Apple TV & Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) Check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukSecrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

Hi everyone, we just wanted to share a quick update about the podcast. We will now be producing two Espresso Martinis a month. Chris & Matt will also be splitting interviews between them. So exciting times ahead for the show!We will have an "Ask us anything" section on the next Espresso Martini. Email or Tweet at us your questions before 6th April. You can email us here: secretsandspiespodcast&gmail.com and Tweet at us here:  www.twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesSupport 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 TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesSPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

We are joined by Matthew Orr, a Eurasian analyst at RANE, Risk Assistance Network & Exchange in this episode.We discuss the first anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine and what to expect over the next few months.You can find out more about RANE here: https://www.ranenetwork.com/Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukFor 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=u Connect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesSPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

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 attackhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/21/russia-nord-stream-explosions/Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Pipelines, U.S. Officials Sayhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/politics/nord-stream-pipeline-sabotage-ukraine.htmlIntelligence officials suspect Ukraine partisans behind Nord Stream bombings, rattling Kyiv’s allieshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/07/intelligence-officials-suspect-ukraine-partisans-behind-nord-stream-bombings-rattling-kyivs-allies/You can find out more about Shane Harris and his work on the Washington Post’s website: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shane-harris/.You can connect with Shane’s via his Twitter page: https://twitter.com/shaneharris.Find out more about Matt Fulton and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukFor 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 TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesSPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

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 Timeshttps://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 Newshttps://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 Insiderhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-state-news-accidentally-publishes-181749627.html“LIBYA’S FRAGILE DEADLOCK”By JALEL HARCHAOUI for War on the Rockshttps://warontherocks.com/2023/03/libyas-fragile-deadlock/“Hive of spies’ trying to steal sensitive information removed from Australia, Asio chief says” by Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/21/hive-of-spies-trying-to-steal-sensitive-information-removed-from-australia-asio-chief-says“The neo-Nazi movement behind the plot to blackout Baltimore”By Brenna Smith for Baltimore Bannerhttps://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/local-news/power-grid-plot-neo-nazi-R3R54GDYCBECDOOY3HA4NHVNII/“Borderless Vigilantism: The Nativist US Militias Entering Mexico”By Avery Schmitz for Bellingcathttps://www.bellingcat.com/news/2023/02/21/borderless-vigilantism-the-nativist-us-militias-entering-mexico/Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukFor 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 TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesSPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

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/JohnSweeneyRoarYou can follow John on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/johnsweeneyroarFor 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/andrewbirdukYou 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=uConnect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspiesSPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.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/TarasKuzioFor 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/andrewbirdukYou 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=uConnect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesCheck out our 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_KFTJenrz4Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/ 

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: @kevinbryantauthorMusic on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukFor 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 can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=uConnect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies  Check out our 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_KFTJenrz4

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 coveredChinese Spy Balloon & Chinese electronic espionage in the westhttps://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinas-spy-balloon-over-montana-is-part-of-a-larger-more-troubling-patternhttps://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-look-chinese-spy-balloon-debris-being-recoveredhttps://inews.co.uk/news/hidden-chinese-tracking-device-government-car-national-security-2070152https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/22/tiktok-bytedance-workers-fired-data-access-journalistsIran Drone strikehttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/world/middleeast/iran-drone-strike-israel.htmlRussian Spy in the BNDGerman BND officer caught spying for Russia namedhttps://www.politico.eu/article/russia-spy-arrest-germany-foreign-intelligence-agency-treason/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11712829/Youth-football-coach-unmasked-Putin-spy-passed-Germanys-secrets-Moscow.htmlhttps://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/hackers-spies-and-contract-killers-how-putin-s-agents-are-infiltrating-germany-a-2cc6c24c-16ac-43d4-97fa-103081414accOther Stories of note:Suspected Neo Nazi Attacks on US power-gridshttps://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/whos-attacking-our-power-grid/Russia paying EU MPs https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/kremlin-linked-group-arranged-payments-to-european-politicians-to-support-russias-annexation-of-crimeaActive duty Marines with intelligence roles arrested for connection to Jan 6thhttps://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/01/19/3-active-duty-marines-who-work-intelligence-arrested-alleged-participation-jan-6-riot.htmlFind out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird). You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirdukFor 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 can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=uConnect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies  Check out our 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_KFTJenrz4