Best Situation Room Studios Podcasts (2025)

1
Inside Gaza Negotiations: What's Next? 43:15

2d ago43:15

43:15

In this week’s episode, correspondent Christina Ruffini and co-host former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta sit down with former United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Barbara Leaf, who was also previously Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Arabian Peninsula in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and Deputy …

1
Ex-CIA Director on Ukraine's Options 26:44

7d ago26:44

26:44

In this week's episode, correspondent Christina Ruffini sits down with co-host Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director. They discuss President Donald Trump’s recent address to a joint session of the United States Congress, and his tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. They also discuss the …

1
Un Épisode Spécial: Thierry Breton sur une Europe face à Trump 33:17

7d ago33:17

33:17

Trois ans après le début de la guerre en Ukraine, l’équilibre mondial continue de se redessiner. L’Europe se trouve à la croisée des chemins : comment affirmer son indépendance stratégique face à une Amérique en mutation et aux menaces d’intimidations commerciales ? L’idée d’une défense européenne autonome peut-elle enfin se concrétiser ? Cette sem…

1
Top US Foreign Relations Senator on Trump's New Playbook with Ukraine, EU 26:35

13d ago26:35

26:35

In this episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini sits down with United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Shaheen recently visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and shared her experience speaking with Ukrainian citizens in the small town of Bucha. She also reacted to the prospectiv…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief & Top German Parliamentarian on its Path Ahead 31:20

19d ago31:20

31:20

Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of Britain’s MI6, sits down with Roderich Kiesewetter, a current member of the German Bundestag, to discuss what to expect during this weekend’s pivotal German polls. Immigration, foreign policy, and the economy are among the biggest concerns for voters. A rise in support recently for the far-right AfD party ha…

1
European Presidents on the New World Order, What's Next for Ukraine 39:08

21d ago39:08

39:08

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini wraps up her coverage of the 2025 Munich Security Conference with three separate interviews with European leaders. Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, sits down to unpack US President Donald Trump’s latest rhetoric on the war in Ukraine and why Europe should step up in defense …

1
Canadian Foreign & Defence Ministers on Trump’s Threats 37:49

23d ago37:49

37:49

In this special episode, One Decision’s host Christina Ruffini takes us behind the scenes at the 2025 Munich Security Conference where she sits down with Canadian leaders to discuss the how the United States’ recent tariff threats are shaping the relationship between the two countries, and the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. She speaks with Ca…

1
Women Leaders in the Era of Trump 41:24

27d ago41:24

41:24

Live from Munich—One Decision teamed up with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle for a live podcast official side event at the 2025 Munich Security Conference. Hosts Christina Ruffini and DW chief political correspondent Nina Haase lead a panel of global women leaders, including Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, former Icelandic Foreign Minister …

1
What to Expect as World Leaders Meet in Munich 21:09

28d ago21:09

21:09

This week on One Decision, host Christina Ruffini previews the 2025 Munich Security Conference with Deutsche Welle’s chief political correspondent Nina Haase, who is also the host of DW’s Berlin Briefing podcast. Together they share insights into what to expect from the conference, including the highly anticipated appearance of United States Vice P…

1
Ex-MI6 & Aussie Spy Chiefs on Trump’s Gaza Gambit, Chinese Threat 36:54

1M ago36:54

36:54

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and resident spymaster, Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House and President Donald Trump’s latest plans for Gaza and the Middle East. Later in the episode, the hosts are joined by Nick Warn…

1
Colombia’s Ex-Defense Minister on How to Handle Trump's Tough Tactics 35:29

1M ago35:29

35:29

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and resident spymaster, Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, are joined by Juan Carlos Pinzón, a former Defense Minister of Colombia and two-time Ambassador to the United States to unpack the recent developments in Colombia as President Trump’s tariff threats compelled the nation's…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief & Tory Leader on Trump's Relationship with the UK, Chagos Islands Deal 31:58

2M ago31:58

31:58

In today’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, are joined by former United Kingdom security minister and Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat to discuss what President Donald Trump’s second administration could mean for the future of US-UK relations. T…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief & Former Israeli Foreign Minister on Ceasefire, Netanyahu’s Next Move 33:53

2M ago33:53

33:53

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, sit down with former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami who was a key figure in the Camp David Summit of 2000. They discuss why a potential peace negotiation between Israel and Hamas has taken so long, what …

1
US Senator on Trump 2.0 & Middle East Policy, Ex-CIA Director on Jimmy Carter's Legacy 38:13

2M ago38:13

38:13

In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini speaks with Democratic United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They spoke from his office in Washington D.C. about various foreign policy challenges, including the war in Ukraine, the future of Syria and other countries affect…

1
Ex-US & UK Spy Chiefs on What to Watch for in 2025 34:51

2M ago34:51

34:51

In the inaugural episode of the year, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove convenes a panel of intelligence leaders, including co-host and former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta and Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. Together, they break down the current state of global affairs and discuss the challenges ahead in …

1
The Best (and Worst) Foreign Policy Decisions of 2024 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

In the last episode of 2024, Times Radio political editor Kate McCann sits down with Prashant Rao of Semafor and Margot Haddad of France's TF1 to discuss how the year's biggest developments in foreign policy have reshaped the current global political landscape. They share what they believe are the worst and best decisions of 2024, the current state…

1
Ex-US Diplomat on His Time in Moscow, Ukraine, & Putin's Next Move 30:47

3M ago30:47

30:47

In this week's episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Leon Panetta, former United States Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director, sit down with Ambassador John Sullivan. Sullivan is a former Deputy Secretary of State and served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Trump and Biden presidential administrations. They discuss the …

1
Ex-MI6 Chief on Syria, Biden's Deputy Secretary of State Talks China, Iran 34:16

3M ago34:16

34:16

The man who used to be known only as C, Sir Richard Dearlove, analyzes the stunning fall of a half century Assad family rule in Syria. He shares insights on who was behind the successful final push to remove the dictator in Damascus and what's next for the nation. Plus, the former spymaster and co-host Christina Ruffini travel to Harvard University…

1
Sudan's Civil War: An Inside Look with Ex-MI6 Chief 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

In this week's episode, One Decision hosts Kasia Madera and resident spymaster, former Chief of Britain's MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, are joined by the New York Times Magazine staff writer Nicholas Casey to uncover the sober reality of the Sudanese civil war. Earlier this year, Casey was embedded with the Sudanese People's Movement Army, a rebel gro…

1
Why Qatar Stopped Gaza Talks & On Board Blinken’s Last Flight to G7 in Italy 39:53

4M ago39:53

39:53

In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini travels with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Rome, where foreign ministers gathered for the final Group of Seven (G7) meeting of the Biden administration. She and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, the former Chief of Britain's MI6, sit down with Qatari Advisor to the Prime M…

1
Ex-CIA Director and Trump’s Former National Security Advisor on Middle East, Ending Ukraine War 32:39

4M ago32:39

32:39

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta sit down with Ambassador and former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. O’Brien, who served as National Security Advisor during President Donald Trump’s first administration, shares his thoughts on several topics, inclu…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief on Europe’s Response to Trump’s Victory, Cabinet Picks 38:27

4M ago38:27

38:27

In this week’s episode, One Decision’s Kasia Madera speaks with our resident spymaster, former Chief of Britain’s MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to talk about what President-Elect Donald Trump’s next term could mean for relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, and what his Cabinet picks could mean for the future of global affairs. Pl…

1
Ex-CIA Chief on What Trump's Return Means for the World 37:46

4M ago37:46

37:46

In this week's episode, One Decision's Christina Ruffini and guest co-host, Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann, discuss the reactions in Washington and Europe following former President Donald Trump's historic election to another term in the White House. Also, resident spymaster and co-host, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon P…

1
Who Will Be in the Situation Room with Trump and Harris? 34:28

4M ago34:28

34:28

Next week, American voters will decide who will become the next President of the United States: former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. In this week's episode, One Decision’s Christina Ruffini speaks to Vivian Salama, Wall Street Journal's national politics reporter, to see what she's watching ahead of the election. Later, Ch…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief on Moscow’s Moldovan Meddling, Prime Minister of Iceland on Arctic Threats 34:59

5M ago34:59

34:59

This week, host Christina Ruffini and One Decision's resident spymaster, Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, discuss former President Donald Trump's recent complaint accusing United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Party of election interference in support of Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. They a…

1
Ex-UK Defence Secretary Warns Wars Converging 35:54

5M ago35:54

35:54

In this week's episode, One Decision's Julia Macfarlane and Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of Britain's MI6, sit down with Sir Michael Fallon, the former United Kingdom Defence Minister. They discuss how today's global conflicts mirror those from ten years ago when Sir Fallon oversaw British defense during the conflict between Israel and Ham…

1
Ex-CIA Director on Putin and Trump’s Secret Talks & the Man Who Got Bin Laden 39:58

5M ago39:58

39:58

This week, One Decision’s Christina Ruffini sits down with former CIA director and former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to discuss legendary Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book, War, and the book’s revelations about the rocky relationship between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with f…

1
Ex-CIA & MI6 Heads on What Israel Does Next 31:49

5M ago31:49

31:49

This week, One Decision's Sir Richard Dearlove returns to the host seat to interview fellow spymaster and co-host, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta, on the growing crisis in the Middle East following Iran's missile attack against Israel. They discuss the implications of Israel's response, Iran's fragile state and influence …

1
Eastern European Leaders on the Russian Risks 26:45

5M ago26:45

26:45

In this bonus episode, One Decision's Christina Ruffini sits down with the Czech Republic's Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavsky, and Poland's Ambassador to the United Nations, Krzysztof Szczerski, in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly. They discuss Russia's military threat in Eastern Europe, the strain of illegal migration, interna…

1
Asian Leaders on the China Challenge 32:11

6M ago32:11

32:11

During the high-level week at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, world leaders are gathering to discuss a world in crisis. One Decision's Christina Ruffini spoke with the Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, Alexander Yui. They discussed the escalating threats acro…

1
Ex-MI6 Chief on How Israel Pulled Off the Pagers Plot 34:42

6M ago34:42

34:42

One Decision's resident spymaster, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, and journalist Kasia Madera break down how Israeli intelligence orchestrated an exploding pager attack against Hezbollah in Lebanon and how Tehran may respond. They also discuss the recent second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Plus, Pulitzer-Prize-win…

1
Ex-FBI Deputy Director on Putin's New Election Interference Efforts 39:18

6M ago39:18

39:18

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe joins journalist Kasia Madera and One Decision's resident spymaster, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, to discuss efforts by foreign actors such as Russia, China, and Iran to influence American elections, recent warnings from intelligence officials about potential terror attacks, Donald Trump's relation…

1
Secretary Gates' Warning: We Are Reaching Pre-WWII Level Instability 37:49

6M ago37:49

37:49

Former CIA Director and United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates joins One Decision's Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss global security challenges facing the West and its allies. Gates describes the challenges as "more perilous than we've probably faced since World War II." They also discuss what's at sta…

1
Former US & UK Spy Chiefs Discuss US Election, Global Crises 36:19

7M ago36:19

36:19

This week, One Decision's Sir Richard Dearlove takes over the host seat to interview fellow spymaster and co-host, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta, to discuss the recent rise of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. They also explore what foreign policy would look like in a potential Harris administration, why a…

1
Ambassador John Bolton: We May Not Get Gaza Ceasefire 37:31

7M ago37:31

37:31

Former White House national security adviser Ambassador John Bolton sits down with One Decision's Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss the conflict in the Middle East and the current status of the elusive cease-fire deal. Ambassador Bolton also discusses the recent Ukrainian incursion and notes that it represents a…

1
Gen. David Petraeus on Ukraine's Audacious Attack, What Iran Does Next 38:56

7M ago38:56

38:56

Retired four-star general and former CIA Director David Petraeus sits down with One Decision's Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. General Petraeus, who commanded United States forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, discusses Ukraine's surprise attack on Russian terri…

1
Rory Stewart on UK Riots, Elon Musk & US Elections 38:42

7M ago38:42

38:42

Former minister, diplomat, and bestselling author Rory Stewart reflects on the root causes of the recent riots and attacks in the United Kingdom that have targeted ethnic minorities, immigration services, and police officers for a week—leading to calls for the Prime Minister to recall parliament. Social media has fanned the flames of unrest, with E…

1
Is America Ready for a Female Commander-in-Chief? 39:25

8M ago39:25

39:25

General Wesley Clark served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander during the Yugoslav wars. After a career spanning more than three decades of military service, Clark ran as a Democratic Presidential candidate in 2003–before endorsing John Kerry. One Decision’s Julia Macfarlane and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove spoke to him about the veteran v…

1
Intel Chiefs on Biden Exit, Bibi’s Desperate Bid & Putin’s Plans 34:28

8M ago34:28

34:28

As Washington focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election, guest host Christina Ruffini talks to One Decisions's resident spymaster, Ex-MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, about Joe Biden's decision not to run for president, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, and the latest news on the investigation into the assassi…

1
Ex-MI6 & CIA Leaders on US Assassination Attempt, Should Europe Worry? 38:58

8M ago38:58

38:58

Guest host and correspondent Christina Ruffini speaks with One Decision's resident spymaster's—Ex-MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and former CIA Director Leon Panetta to get their take on this week's shocking assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and Europe’s anxiety over Trump choosing Ohio United States Senator JD Vance as hi…

1
NATO Ministers & Former US Defense Secretary on the Summit 37:29

8M ago37:29

37:29

The NATO alliance solidified support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression, pledging an “irreversible path” to membership once the war ends. Guest host Christina Ruffini and One Decision co-host and former United States Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spoke with Sweden's Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, and Albanian Foreign Minister Igli…

1
Live at the Spy Museum: World & Congressional leaders on the NATO Summit 56:30

8M ago56:30

56:30

The NATO alliance is meeting in Washington amidst the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War. One Decision teamed up with the International Spy Museum for a live panel discussion in front of hundreds of delegates, press, and political leaders. Our new co-host, former US Defense Secretary and CIA director Leon Panetta sat down with L…

1
French Elections: The Far Right, Russia and NATO 40:57

9M ago40:57

40:57

As France prepares to vote in the second round of its parliamentary elections, it appears that Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally may not end up with the majority French President Emmanuel Macron fears—but his troubles are far from over. The Economist's Paris Bureau Chief Sophie Pedder joins One Decision to discuss how the National Rally's re…

1
Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz on Populism, Trump 33:08

9M ago33:08

33:08

Columbia University Professor and Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz is one of the world's best-known economists—and one of the most outspoken. He's locked horns with a fellow Nobel laureate, the neoliberal economist Milton Friedman, and openly criticizes globalization. He sits down with One Decision's resident spymaster, Sir Richard Dearlove, and g…

1
Will the US Defend Taiwan? We Ask the Man Biden Just Sent to Taipei 43:46

9M ago43:46

43:46

Richard Armitage, a former Deputy Secretary of State for the George W. Bush administration and a Reagan-era Republican has been deeply involved in America's security and defense policy in the Indo-Pacific region, continuing to represent the United States in trips abroad, joining high-level delegations including a visit to Taipei in May to attend th…

1
A Leading Liberal Podcast Host & Not So Liberal Spy Chief on Labour’s Foreign Policy 42:53

9M ago42:53

42:53

The Conservative Party is on track to see fourteen years in power end, when the United Kingdom votes next month. A popular left-wing figure and co-host of The Trawl podcast Marina Purkiss discusses with One Decision's resident spymaster and Conservative figure Sir Richard Dearlove what a Labour government takeover led by Sir Keir Starmer would mean…

1
Belarus’ Opposition Leader's Message to Putin & Why Ukraine Must Win 43:39

9M ago43:39

43:39

Belarus has spent the past 30 years under the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya challenged his rule after her husband was imprisoned by the regime, only two days after he declared his intention to run for office. She is now living as the exiled Belarusian opposition leader and sits down with One Decision…

1
US Ambassador to NATO on Ukraine Getting In 45:55

10M ago45:55

45:55

Julianne Smith serves as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO—a role she assumed at the end of 2021, shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Ambassador Smith sits down with One Decision's foreign correspondent Christina Ruffini and resident spymaster, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, for a discussion on what to e…

1
Iran, Surprise UK Elections, AI 45:43

10M ago45:43

45:43

Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove gives his verdict on this week's biggest news stories—the surprise summer general election in the United Kingdom announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the shock death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and the implications for the regime's succession plan. Julia Macfarlane and Sir Richard also sit down wit…

1
Top US Intel Official on Russia, Chinese Military Threat 46:10

10M ago46:10

46:10

Dr. Trent Maul is the Associate Deputy Director for National Intelligence (ADDNI) for Mission Integration, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He previously served as the Director of Analysis at the United States Defense Intelligence Agency which produces and analyzes national and foreign military intelligence that supports national se…

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