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

“Prevent Two Years On”On the podcast, we are re-joined Sean Arbuthnot and William Baldet, who both work on the UK government’s Countering Violent Extremism programme called “Prevent”. On this episode, we discuss what has changed, what hasn’t changed, and the reaction to Prevent since we last spoke in 2018.You can listen to our original discussion here: https://pod.fo/e/14f9d For more information about “Prevent” you can visit the “Let’s Talk About It” website here: https://www.ltai.info/ For more information about Extremism today please visit Educate Against Hate: https://educateagainsthate.com/ Show Notes:This is a link to the Guardian article Will mentioned that was critical of NGO’s supporting the CVE work of “Prevent” https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/02/uk-government-covert-propaganda-stop-muslims-joining-isis The Guardian article was reportedly based on information provided by Cagehttps://www.cage.ngo/product/we-are-completely-independent-report Cage became famous when Asim Qureshi called the ISIS terrorist “Jihadi John” a “beautiful young man” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-31650427 Cage reportedly held events and campaigned in support of notorious hate preacher and Al Qaeda terrorist Anwar Al-Awlaki Author and Terrorism researcher Shriaz Maher wrote about this in Standpoint magazine here:https://standpointmag.co.uk/anwar-al-awlaki-s-british-supporters-part-2/ MusicMusic on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Get a Secrets & Spies t-shirt, cup, coaster and more. Visit our new memorabilia shop:www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/54491911?asc=u My Spy FilmMy short spy “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
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Pandemic and Anti Vaccination Conspiracy Theories with Debra WinterOn today's “Secrets and Spies” podcast I am joined by Debra Winter. Debra is a professor of Literature and Critical Thinking at New York University and she is the author of the up and coming book “Global Catastrophe and Literature: Writing the sublime”.We discuss her excellent article that was published in The Guardian titled “Meet the white, middle-class Pinterest moms who believe “Plandemic”. Which looks at the rise in conspiratorial thinking towards vaccinations and the dangers that presents in todays world. You can read the article here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/06/coronavirus-conspiracy-theories-plandemic-moms You can find out more about Debra and her work here: http://www.debrawinter.com/ In our discussion we refer to the following: “If You Found That ‘Plandemic’ Video Convincing, Read This Too” by Beth Skwareckihttps://vitals.lifehacker.com/if-you-found-that-plandemic-video-convincing-read-th-1843339002 Ted Talk with Andrew Marantz who spent three years embedded in the world of internet trolls and social media propagandists: https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_marantz_inside_the_bizarre_world_of_internet_trolls_and_propagandists?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare ‘I was a Macedonian fake news writer’https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190528-i-was-a-macedonian-fake-news-writer?How do fake websites make money:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-38919403 A good resource on misinformation online: https://www.stopfake.org/en/tag/internet-trolls/ I refer to the book “Voodoo Histories” by David Aaronovitch which really helped challenge the conspiratorial views I once held.https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/306318/voodoo-histories-by-david-aaronovitch/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Get a Secrets & Spies t-shirt, cup, coaster and more. Visit our new memorabilia shop:www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/54491911?asc=u My Spy FilmMy short spy “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/secretsandspies

On this episode of “Secrets & Spies” I am joined by William Craig Reed, who is a former US Navy diver, turned best-selling author. We discuss the tragic sinking of the Kursk Submarine, and how that tragic event is linked to President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical plans in the Arctic today. For more information about William and his fantastic book “Spies of the deep” go to http://wcraigreed.com/nonfiction/spies-of-the-deep/Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon Subscriberwww.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesVisit our new memorabilia shop:https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/54491911?asc=uMy Spy FilmMy short spy “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here: youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4Connect with us here:TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpiesFACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies

"Secrets of the Kashmir Valley” On this episode, we are joined by author and counterterrorism expert Farhana Qazi and we discuss her book "Secrets of the Kashmir Valley"Farhana was previously on the podcast back in November 2018. You can listen to that interview here: https://pod.fo/e/14f94 You can find out more about Farhana by going to her website: https://farhanaqazi.com/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies One off paymentsIf you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one off tip at
PayPal 
www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/secretsandspies

Secrets & Spies Present: Need to KnowNeed to Know is our current affairs strand of the podcast that complements our regular interviews. Today on "Need to Know" we are joined by author and intelligence historian Calder Walton. We discuss the recent UK Government looking at Russian interference in British politics. Calder is also the author of the fantastic book “Empire of Secrets” which is available at all resellers.You can find out more about Calder and his work at his website: www.calderwalton.com/This is a link to the report Calder mentions on the Bio-Revolution that is transforming economics and societyhttps://www.mckinsey.com/industries/pharmaceuticals-and-medical-products/our-insights/the-bio-revolution-innovations-transforming-economies-societies-and-our-livesMusic on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesOne off paymentsIf you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one off tip at PayPal www.paypal.me/drycleanercastOur film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here: youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4And you can buy the film here: www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilmConnect with us here:TWITTER https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/secretsandspies

NEED TO KNOW: Russian Bounties with Frank SneppA few weeks ago, a story broke in the New York Times, claiming it had been discovered that the Russian government had been paying bounties to the Taliban to target and kill US and Allied forces in Afghanistan. There has been an understandable shock and condemnation in the US and in the UK when the story first broke. President Trump’s reaction to the story has been to claim ignorance to the whole thing and claim that he was never briefed by US intelligence officials about any of this.On today’s “Need to Know” podcast we are joined by former CIA officer and Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist Frank Snepp and we discuss the Russian bounties story.You can find out more about Frank and his books “Decent Interval” and “Irreparable Harm” on Frank’s website: franksnepp.com/ Frank’s journalism and other writings can be viewed on his blog: franksneppexclusives.com/ Music On this episode:Music is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies One-off paymentsIf you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one-off tip at
PayPal 
www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
https://twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK
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The Dry Cleanercast will be rebooted as "Secrets & Spies" in the Autumn. A new show called "Espresso Martini" will join our regular interview show and "Need to Know".Watch this spacePlease support this podcastGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a monthwww.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one-off tip atPayPal www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 And you can buy the film here:www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTERtwitter.com/DryCleanerCast FACEBOOKwww.facebook.com/drycleanercast/

CIA in Vietnam with Frank SneppOn today’s podcast we are joined by Frank Snepp. Frank served with the CIA during the Vietnam war. He was the chief analyst of North Vietnamese strategy. He was there at the fall of Saigon and today we discuss his experiences during the Vietnam war and the intelligence failures that contributed to the US and South Vietnamese loss of the war.Frank published the book “Decent Interval” as an after-action report about the intelligence failures he witnessed in Vietnam. He hoped the book would galvanise the CIA into mounting rescue efforts for the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese allies left behind. Sadly nothing happened and Frank was instead sued by the US government for publishing his book.After the CIA Frank went on to become an investigative journalist and he won a Peabody Award for his work. You can find out more about Frank and his books “Decent Interval” and “Irreparable Harm” from Frank’s website: https://franksnepp.com/ Frank’s journalism and other writings can be viewed on his blog: http://franksneppexclusives.com/ This is our longest interviews and possibly one of the most fascinating. So pour yourself your favourite drink, sit back and join me on a trip back in time to 1960s Vietnam.Music On this episode:Music is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird)You can check out his work here: www.monsteromnibus.com/?fbclid=IwAR0…BdNQbuCvt9KWUPlease support this podcastBecome a Patreon SubscriberGet early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast One off paymentsIf you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one off tip at PayPal 
www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4
And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
twitter.com/DryCleanerCast
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/drycleanercast/

“In the dark of war”On this month’s podcast, we are joined by former CIA officer Sarah M. Carlson.Sarah was deployed to Libya in 2013. A year into her deployment the situation in Libya deteriorated and it was decided to evacuate the US mission in Tripoli. Sarah played a key role in leading over 150 staff from the US mission to safety.After a legal dispute with the CIA, she is now able to tell her story publicly.We discuss her book “In the dark of war” which looks at her time in Libya.You can find out more about Sarah here:http://www.sarahmcarlson.com/ And you can get her book here:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/In-the-Dark-of-War/Sarah-M-Carlson/9781642934717 Please support this podcast
Get early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one off tip atPayPal 
www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4 
And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
twitter.com/DryCleanerCast 
FACEBOOK
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Why Spies SpyOn this month’s podcast, we are joined by author and journalist Michael Smith.We discuss his book “Anatomy of a Spy” which takes a look at why spies spy.You can find out more about Michael and his books here:https://www.michaelsmithauthor.com/ All of Michael’s books and “Anatomy of a spy” are available at Amazon and all other book sellers.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Smith/e/B001H6O0OS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Please support this podcast
Get early access to episodes by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access from $5 a month
www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast If you don’t wish to subscribe you can leave a one off tip at PayPal 
www.paypal.me/drycleanercast Our film “The Dry Cleaner” has been released!Check out the trailer here:
youtu.be/j_KFTJenrz4
And you can buy the film here:
www.drycleanercast.co.uk/watchthefilm Connect with us here:TWITTER
twitter.com/DryCleanerCast
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/drycleanercast/