Best FSB Podcasts (2024)

1
S8 Ep51: How the KGB and the FSB attempt to subvert Western democracies with Mark Hollingsworth 1:16:36

2h ago1:16:36

1:16:36

On today’s episode, Chris speaks with author and journalist Mark Hollingsworth about his book Agents of Influence, which looks at how the KGB attempted to subvert Western democracies during the Cold War and how its replacement agency, the FSB, attempts to do the same now. Check out Mark’s website for information about him, his book and his other wo…

1
S8 Ep50: Conspiracies, Disinformation, and Mission Implausible with John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea 46:44

5d ago46:44

46:44

On today’s episode, Matt speaks to former senior CIA officers and now co-founders of Spycraft Entertainment, John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea, to discuss their podcast, Mission Implausible. In their careers with the clandestine service, John and Jerry, in a sense, created conspiracies, convincing terrorists and hostile foreign governments to believe th…

1
The Kempeitai 1:41:55

9d ago1:41:55

1:41:55

We’ve heard about a lot of evil on Secret Police, but the actions of the Kempeitai and the wider Imperial Japanese Army are particularly poignant for their brutality and the extent to which violence prevails if you believe your enemy is inhuman. Who were the Kempeitai? How did the Kempeitai develop out of Japan’s long military history? What were th…

1
S8 Ep49: God, Guns, and Sedition with Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware 54:54

13d ago54:54

54:54

On today’s episode, Matt is joined by terrorism experts Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware to discuss their book, "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America.” Both are fellows at the Council on Foreign Relations and teach at Georgetown University. Their book examines the far-right’s long embrace of political violence as a tactic, its prolif…

1
S8 Ep48: Espresso Martini: Hamas leaders messages, Europe & China, Chinese spies and potential ISIS-K plot foiled in USA 1:14:59

19d ago1:14:59

1:14:59

On today’s show, we are going to look at reports about private messages from the leader of Hamas, criticisms of Europe’s outdated approach to China, a former CIA officer and FBI linguist pleading guilty to spying for China, and a potential plot from ISIS-K foiled in the US. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” we will look at Eur…

1
The long-term economic effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine 39:49

19d ago39:49

39:49

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the West has imposed over 16,000 sanctions on Russia, intending to cripple the economy driving the Kremlin’s war machine. But the much-anticipated collapse of Russia’s economy never came to pass. In fact, Russia’s wartime economy has proven to be surprisingly resilient, with the IMF estimating …

1
No show this weekend, we will return next weekend. 0:25

26d ago0:25

0:25

Hi all, we hope you are well. Sadly, due to work commitments on Chris's side, there will be no show this weekend. We will return next weekend. Support Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon from £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Subscribe to our…

1
How can Ukraine hold the line against Russia? 30:40

27d ago30:40

30:40

It’s a tense moment for Ukraine. The optimism that followed Ukraine’s early successes on the battlefield in 2022 started to fade last summer as its counteroffensive failed to achieve a breakthrough. By late 2023, Ukraine’s then-commander-in-chief said the war had reached a “stalemate” — and by the start of the spring, things were looking even worse…

1
S8 Ep47: London Met Murder Investigation Team with Steven Keogh 57:53

1M ago57:53

57:53

On todays podcast I am joined be retired detective and author Steven Keogh. Steven investigated murders at Scotland Yard for 12 years, and he joins us to discuss his excellent book “Murder Investigation Team” which gives readers an insight into how British murder investigations are run and what it is like to be a part of a murder investigation. Che…

1
Kazakhstan's landmark murder trial 45:31

1M ago45:31

45:31

For the past two months, millions of Kazakhstanis have been glued to their screens, witnessing a landmark moment in the nation’s history: a murder trial live-streamed on YouTube. This was the trial of Kuandyk Bishimbayev, Kazakhstan’s former economic minister, who was convicted of torturing and killing his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, on November 9, 20…

1
S8 Ep46: Espresso Martini: Iran’s President is killed, Israel & Iranian espionage comparisons and secret Hamas surveillance files. 58:22

1M ago58:22

58:22

On today’s show, we are going to look at the death of the Iranian President, Israel & Iran espionage comparisons, and we finish by looking at secret Hamas files that expose a mass surveillance campaign in Gaza. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” we will look at reports of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not taking the wo…

1
‘The American faith’: Why Russia targets evangelicals in Ukraine 37:32

1M ago37:32

37:32

Historically, Ukraine has been home to people of a variety of faiths and religious denominations, and it’s been exceptionally “open to receiving a wide spectrum of religious communities” in the years since the collapse of the U.S.S.R, according to expert Catherine Wanner. This laissez-faire approach to religion stands in stark contrast to Russian s…

1
S8 Ep45: What President Raisi’s death means for Iran 1:18:18

1M ago1:18:18

1:18:18

On today’s episode, Matt is once again joined by Phillip Smyth, one of the leading researchers of Iranian-backed militia groups, to discuss the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and several other senior officials in a helicopter crash last weekend. They unpack what this unexpected development means for Iran domestically, the regime’s web of proxy fo…

1
Corruption and co-optation in Russia’s autocracy 28:39

2M ago28:39

28:39

It’s strange days recently at Russia’s Defense Ministry. Amid the replacement of the agency’s head, police have brought large-scale bribery charges against at least two senior officials in the Defense Ministry, raising questions about the state of corruption in Russia’s military and the Kremlin’s approach to the phenomenon in wartime. Also earlier …

1
S8 Ep44: Havana Syndrome from a technological and medical perspective. 1:04:57

2M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

On today’s podcast, I am joined by two guests, Dr. Chris Gilbert and Dr. Eric Haseltine, and we discuss Havana Syndrome from a technological and medical perspective. Dr Chris Gilbert is an Integrative and Holistic Medicine physician who has interviewed victims of these so-called Anomalous Health incidents, otherwise known as Havana Syndrome. Dr Has…

1
S8 Ep43: Espresso Martini: Plot to kill Zelensky, Russian sabotage plots, and Chinese hacking. 59:29

2M ago59:29

59:29

On today's show, we are going to look at a failed plot to kill President Zelensky, fears of Russian sabotage in Europe, spy plots being foiled in Germany, and awkward talks between the US and China about Volt Typhoon, one of China’s hacking operations against the west. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” and we will look at priv…

1
How Russian disinformation really threatens the USA 30:50

2M ago30:50

30:50

The leadup to voting this November will renew fears in the United States about Russian malign influence. That means more paranoia from politicians, more alarming op-eds and white papers from the institutes created and funded to draw attention to foreign disinformation, and more mutual suspicions among ordinary people on social media, where journali…

1
S8 Ep42: Agent Of The Iron Cross With Bill Mills 47:00

2M ago47:00

47:00

Chris is joined by historian and author Bill Mills on today's podcast. They discuss Bill’s research into German sabotage and espionage operations in the United States during World War One and how that led to Bill’s new book “Agent of the Iron Cross.” To find out more about “Agent of the Iron Cross” and to get a copy, visit the publisher's website h…

1
S8 Ep41: The reality behind “A Spy Alone” with Charles Beaumont 1:15:48

2M ago1:15:48

1:15:48

On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by former MI6 Officer turned best-selling author Charles Beaumont. They discuss the real-life inspiration behind Charle’s debut spy novel, “A Spy Alone”, and a little bit about his career in MI6. Charles also shares his literary influences, his approach to writing fiction and some tips if you are thinking of a ca…

1
Returning to the talks that could have ended the war in Ukraine 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

Over the past few weeks, many in the think-tank community have argued about the negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in the first two months of the full-scale invasion, following an article published on April 16 in Foreign Affairs, titled “The Talks That Could Have Ended the War in Ukraine: A Hidden History of Diplomacy That Came Up Short — but Hol…

1
S8 Ep40: Israel and Iran climb (and descend?) the escalation ladder with Phillip Smyth 1:31:18

2M ago1:31:18

1:31:18

On today’s episode, Matt welcomes back Phillip Smyth, one of the leading researchers of Iranian-backed militia groups in the Middle East. This time, they discuss last month’s exchange of missiles, drones, and airstrikes between Israel and Iran. Phillip helps unpack what triggered this latest cycle of violence, gauge Iran’s intent behind an unpreced…

1
How Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov dies 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

According to a new investigation from Novaya Gazeta Europe, Chechnya Governor Ramzan Kadyrov was diagnosed with pancreatic necrosis in 2019 and isn’t long for this world. Since then, he’s supposedly undergone “regular procedures,” including surgeries, at an elite hospital in Moscow. A bout of COVID-19 in 2020 reportedly further degraded his health,…

1
Stoppable: Building 1200 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here. It was Valentine’s Day. While waiting for his Uber ride, the teenager texted a former girlfriend “You will always know I love you.” When they arrived at his destination, the young man gave the Uber …

1
No Espresso Martini or Extra Shot this weekend 0:31

2M ago0:31

0:31

Hi all, due to essential maintenance works at London HQ, there won't be an Espresso Martini or Extra Shot this weekend. We are very sorry about this. We will have a new podcast out next weekend, so please stay tuned. We hope you all have an excellent weekend and we will catch you on the next episode. All the best Chris & Matt…

1
S8 Ep39: The legal case for the victims of Havana Syndrome with Mark S. Zaid 54:58

2M ago54:58

54:58

On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by national security Lawyer Mark S. Zaid. They discuss the legal case for the victims of the Anomalous Health Incidents, more popularly known as Havana Syndrome. Mark discusses the US government's denial and how that affects his clients, who have had their lives disrupted by these alleged attacks. You can find ou…

1
S8 Ep38: Directed energy and Havana Syndrome with Dr. James Giordano 57:31

3M ago57:31

57:31

On today’s podcast Chris is joined by Dr James Giordano. Dr Giordano served as the consulting neuroscientist on research into the original cases of Havana Syndrome. Dr. James Giordano is a neuroscientist and neuroethicist, whose work focuses upon mechanisms and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, and neuroethical issues arising from the use an…

1
Migration and discrimination in Putin’s Russia 46:43

3M ago46:43

46:43

It’s no secret that the economies of Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan rely heavily on labor migration to stay afloat. In 2022, according to the International Organization for Migration, remittances from Russia accounted for just over half of Tajikistan’s GDP, and made up more than 20 percent of the GDPs of Kyrgyzs…

1
S8 Ep37: Former US Navy Captain Gene Moran on the Houthi threat in the Red Sea 55:19

3M ago55:19

55:19

On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by Former US Navy Destroyer Captain Gene Moran to discuss the Houthi Threat in the Red Sea. In this episode, they look at the background of the Houthis, the threat that they pose, and how the US Navy and its allies are dealing with that threat. They then discuss life on a ship during a time of conflict and finish…

1
S8 Ep36: Espresso Martini: Putin exploits ISIS-K attack, House Republicans hold up US aid to Ukraine, and new Havana Syndrome information. 1:06:50

3M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

On today’s episode, we are going to look at Putin exploiting the ISIS-K attack for his war on Ukraine, House Republicans holding up US aid to Ukraine, and we will wrap up looking at new revelations on Havana Syndrome. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot”. On that we will look at Chinese Disinformation efforts targeting the US ele…

1
The evolution of the Russian FSB 44:29

3M ago44:29

44:29

Look at almost any recent major news story from Russia, and you’ll find the Federal Security Service, better known as the FSB. Having failed to prevent the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow last month, the agency has played a major role in arresting and apparently torturing the suspected perpetrators. It was FSB agents who arrested Wall S…

1
S8 Ep35: Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu imprisoned in Azerbaijan 1:14:13

3M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

On today’s podcast, we are joined by Ibad Bayramov, and we discuss the imprisonment of his father, Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, in Azerbaijan. Dr Ibadoghlu is an economics professor who was a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a leading figure in the opposition in Azerbaijan. In July 2023, he was arrested and held by Azerbaijan authori…

1
Daniel Roher and Julia Ioffe remember the Navalnys 48:43

3M ago48:43

48:43

It’s been seven weeks since a local branch of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service published a brief news post about the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny. “He went for a walk, felt sick, collapsed unconscious, and couldn’t be resuscitated.” Russian officials would later insist that Navalny died of natural causes — his mother was told that…

1
S8 Ep34: Moscow ISIS-K attack, Ukriane update and Ukraine Intelligence 2:10:59

3M ago2:10:59

2:10:59

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr Taras Kuzio, who has just returned from a trip to Ukraine. Dr. Taras Kuzio is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and an Associate Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. Winner of the 2022 Peterson Literary Prize for Russian Nationalism and the…

1
Stoppable: We Have a Visitor 40:38

3M ago40:38

40:38

On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here. One Wednesday evening, a young man began the drive from Columbia SC to Charleston SC, normally a two hour drive. He arrived in 90 minutes. It would seem he was in a hurry. Before walking into the Bi…

1
How terrorism’s geopolitics brought tragedy to Moscow 48:11

3M ago48:11

48:11

It’s been a little more than a week since a group of armed men walked into a concert hall just outside Moscow and gunned down dozens of defenseless people. A branch of the Islamic State active in South-Central Asia known as Islamic State – Khorasan, or IS-K, claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack in a statement through an affiliated media cha…

1
Easter sample of Extra Shot our Patreon only show. 54:56

3M ago54:56

54:56

As it's the Easter weekend, Chris and Matt are away. So today, we are going to share a sample episode of "Extra Shot," our Patreon-only show that immediately follows each episode of "Espresso Martini." To get access to future and past episodes of "Extra Shot" please subscribe here: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies In this edition of Extra Shot, we w…

1
Stoppable: Strangers Welcome 36:44

3M ago36:44

36:44

On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here. A nursing student drove to a town 10 minutes from his home in Southern California. He planned to visit a House of Worship as members of the congregation were gathering to celebrate a holiday. The me…

1
S8 Ep33: Espresso Martini: Tactical nukes, Spies in Brussels, Turkish spies in the West and more 1:17:38

3M ago1:17:38

1:17:38

On today’s episode, we are going to look at how close we got to Russia using nukes in Ukraine, spies wining and dining in Brussels, Russia setting up fake news sites and more. Then we will move to our Patreon-only show, “Extra Shot”. On that, we will look at how to run a CIA station abroad, SAS soldiers accused of murder, reports that the King has …

1
Stoppable: "Be Careful" 53:57

4M ago53:57

53:57

On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here. A young man from a small town in Ohio, drove overnight 500+ miles to participate in a celebration of unity. Although he had few friends back home, he was welcomed into the gathering. He had worn all…

1
Is Europe preparing for a wider Russian invasion? 1:11:40

4M ago1:11:40

1:11:40

For decades, NATO’s European members have depended on the U.S. to bolster their defense. Perhaps nowhere is this reliance more acutely felt than in the Baltic countries, which joined the alliance 20 years ago this month, and experienced occupation in living memory. With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine entering its third year and the future …

1
S8 Ep32: The US government’s search for alien life with Garrett Graff 51:16

4M ago51:16

51:16

On today’s episode, Matt is joined by investigative journalist, bestselling author, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett Graff. His latest book, “UFO: The Inside Story of the US Government's Search for Alien Life Here—and Out There,” draws from original archival research, declassified documents, and interviews with senior intelligence and military o…

1
S8 Ep31: The Discord Leaks with Shane Harris 45:34

4M ago45:34

45:34

On today’s episode, The Washington Post’s Pulitzer Prize-winning intelligence correspondent, Shane Harris, joins Matt to discuss the “Discord Leaks” and the air national guardsman who, earlier this week, pleaded guilty to charges of willful retention and transmission of US national defense information, an act that’s been called the largest disclosu…

1
Politico’s Alex Ward on Biden’s Russia and Ukraine policy 30:51

4M ago30:51

30:51

U.S. President Joe Biden took less than two minutes to bring up Russia in his 2024 State of the Union address. “If anybody in this room thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine, I assure you, he will not,” Biden said, prompting a standing ovation. “But Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons it needs to defend itself.” An u…

1
S8 Ep30: Espresso Martini: Leaked Russian documents, defector shot in Spain, CIA's relationship with Ukrainian intelligence 1:13:09

4M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

In today's episode, we are going to look at a leak of Russian documents about their threshold for using nuclear weapons, the assassination of a Russian defector in Spain, details on the cooperation between the CIA and Ukraine intelligence services and more. Then we will move to our Patreon-only show, “Extra Shot”. On that we will look at recommenda…

1
Stoppable: Murder/Suicide 57:51

4M ago57:51

57:51

On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here. An 18-year old traveled hundreds of miles from his home on a mission he kept secret from his family and best friend. A local man engaged the traveler and they talked for over an hour about history, …

1
The Russian space nukes scare 35:52

4M ago35:52

35:52

Last month, there was a sudden panic in the United States when House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner issued a statement warning of a “serious national security threat” and demanded that President Biden declassify related information. The American media subsequently reported that Turner was referring to alleged Russian plans to deploy nuclear weap…

1
Christopher Miller on how war came to Ukraine 37:37

4M ago37:37

37:37

To mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s ongoing campaign to seize more territory, Meduza sat down with the author of The War Came To Us: Life and Death in Ukraine, Christopher Miller, the Ukraine correspondent for The Financial Times and a foremost journalist covering the country who was there on the ground when …

1
S8 Ep29: The death of Alexei Navalny and its consequences with Edward Lucas 26:07

5M ago26:07

26:07

On today’s podcast, I am joined by Edward Lucas to discuss the death of Alexei Navalny and its consequences. Edward is the author of the 2008 book “The New Cold War”. He has been warning us for many years of an increasingly aggressive Russian foreign policy dictated by President Vladimir Putin. When Edwards's book came out in 2008, he was largely i…

1
S8 Ep28: Espresso Martini: Russian space weapons, Tucker Carlson in Russia and a beheading in Pennsylvania 1:20:56

5M ago1:20:56

1:20:56

In today's episode, we are going to look at a potential new Russian threat in space, then we are going to look at Tucker Carlson’s trip to Russia, then look at Russian efforts to destabilise US politics, and more. Then we will move to our Patreon-only show, “Extra Shot”. On that, we will look at the rise of the AFD in Germany, the Cult of AI, the i…

1
The death of Alexey Navalny 24:14

5M ago24:14

24:14

Meduza reports on opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s death in prison and speaks to experts about his legacy and the political science behind autocrats eliminating dissident threats. This week’s guests are Meduza journalists Evgeny Feldman and Maxim Trudolyubov and scholars Graeme Robertson and Erica Frantz. Timestamps for this episode: (0:43) Photo…

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