One Decision publisher

Vladimir Putin promised Russia a "dictatorship of law" when he took office in 2000. He delivered the dictatorship -- but not the law. This week, Russia expert, human rights lawyer, and founder of Russia's first independent foreign law firm Jamison Firestone joins journalist Rosanna Lockwood and former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss his new book, Rule of Lies: My Wild Ride Through Chaos, Corruption, and Murder in Putin's Russia. Firestone lived through the upheaval of the early 1990s and worked alongside Sergei Magnitsky, who was murdered after exposing a Russian state built to loot itself. Firestone explains why Russia may now be close to a historical tipping point, how $300 billion in frozen Russian assets could be legally transferred to Ukraine to fund Kyiv;s war effort, and the ways in which Donald Trump has emulated Putin and Yeltsin. Plus, in Brief: changes coming to Germany's BND, the legacy of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Iceland's referendum on restarting EU membership talks, and the latest in the Iran War. In this episode: (00:00) Why Ukraine Matters (02:06) Germany Expands BND Powers (05:01) Zhu Rongji (07:52) Iceland EU Vote and NATO Role (11:46) Iran Deadline and Strait Tensions (15:11) Meet Jamison Firestone (16:42) Growing Up Around Gangsters (26:15) Loving Russia Despite Putin (30:46) Can Russia Reach a Tipping Point (34:32) Mobilization Pressure and Next Steps (36:15) Ukraine Aid and Frozen Funds (41:17) Legal Case For Seizure (43:57) Reparations Loan Explained (50:25) US Politics And Trump Parallels (54:24) How Putin Could Fall (57:06) Can Russia Be Democratic (59:03) Putin Isolation And Ukraine Motive (01:02:12) Life In London And Safety (01:05:08) Magnitsky Legacy And Costs (01:11:33) Drone Swarms And Future War Show Notes:  Rule of Lies: My Wild Ride Through Chaos, Corruption, and Murder in Putin's Russia | https://www.harpercollins.com/products/rule-of-lies-jamison-r-firestone?variant=44366648180770  Website to learn more about Jamison Firestone’s advocacy: https://makeputinpay.org/  Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (International Journalist) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What role do intelligence services play under a president that does not heed their advice? That’s one of the questions Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Tim Weiner posits in his most recent book, The Mission, which details how the modern Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has evolved during the era of the global war on terror. Weiner describes the evolution of the missions undertaken by the CIA, which were historically driven by presidential desires to change the world through covert action, and contrasts them with the post-Cold War agency that grapples with trust and reputation in the information era. Weiner also discusses how the delicate interplay between betrayal and trust underwrites intelligence work, the common aim of pursuing secrets that intelligence and journalism share, and why he believes the cumulative effects of partisan purges within intelligence services under President Donald Trump leaves the United States in a dire state of danger. Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood dive into the news stories in geopolitics shaping the world this week: how a secret CIA task force in Cuba may be laying the groundwork for a more American-friendly government, why the construction of a new giant embassy for China is igniting political NIMBY-ism in London, and what US intelligence says about how stray Russian missiles and drones may be Putin’s way of testing NATO’s resolve.  (03:07) Secret CIA Cuba Task Force (07:24) New Chinese Embassy in London (12:31) Will Putin Test NATO’s Resolve? (14:37) Interview with Tim Weiner (15:29) Difficulty of Writing About the CIA (20:07) Human Element of Espionage (22:56) Evolution of the CIA (25:57) Sir Richard’s Post-9/11 Intel Recollections (30:08) Journalists, Intelligence, and Secrecy (34:58) Intelligence and Policy (39:59) Modern CIA Missions Under Trump (48:31) Partisan Purges in US Intel Services (54:55) Can Institutional Trust Recover? (58:48) Trump’s Potential Paradoxical Legacy (01:02:47) One Decision to Watch (01:03:32) Takeaways, Audience Comments, and Wrap Up  Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (international journalist). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Russian military actually losing ground, or adapting faster than Western allies realize? Fresh off a tour of the Ukrainian front lines, Senior Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Michael Kofman delivers a realistic assessment of the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. Kofman explains why Ukraine is in its strongest position since mid-2023, how Russian military commanders reporting false progress to Putin may lead to a mismatch between goals and means in the war, the strategic implications behind Ukraine’s recent command changes and political shifts in defense procurement, and why it’s critical that NATO learns what it can from Ukrainian force exercises to be prepared to face Russia’s next post-war threat. Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host Kate McCann unpack the latest and most significant news stories in geopolitics: the launch of Sweden’s own civilian intelligence service, whether President Trump’s rhetoric on Iran reflects uncertainty or strategic deception, and the data supporting the skeptical American attitude about AI.  In this episode: (02:13) Sweden to Launch Its Own MI6 (06:01) Trump Hyperbole and Iran (09:18) America’s AI Skepticism (12:26) Interview with Michael Kofman (13:10) State of the Ukrainian-Russian Frontlines (15:30) Russian Military Goals vs. Means (19:43) Russia’s False Picture of Success (23:17) Evolution of Warfare on the Frontlines (28:58) Assessment of International Response (33:18) Patriot Missile Licensed Production Timeline (37:02) Changes in Ukrainian Defense Leadership (43:28) Corruption, Procurement, and Funding in Ukraine( 48:58) Russia’s Threat Post-War(54:50) Ukrainian Morale on the Frontlines\(57:18) Defining the Front Line of Fighting (01:00:21) One Decision to Watch (01:02:47) Takeaways, Audience Comments, and Wrap Up Show Notes:  The Next Russia Threat: Moscow’s Military Power After Ukraine | Foreign Affairs: www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/next-russia-threat-michael-kofman   Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and co-host Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sir Richard Dearlove, One Decision’s resident spymaster and former Chief of MI6, sits down for our annual Spy Chiefs roundtable. Tune into this wide-ranging conversation with distinguished former intelligence leaders as they examine global threats and hard choices facing Western governments. Joining Sir Richard are former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Joseph Votel and Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. Together, they explore the challenges posed by Russia and China’s alliance of convenience, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, and address the disastrous impact of AI-created disinformation and deepfakes.  The intelligence leaders also discuss Chinese espionage across Europe, cyber threats to critical infrastructure, and the growing vulnerability of these systems, and raise legal and constitutional concerns around the conflict in Venezuela. The episode ends with predictions for 2026, including potential regime changes in the Middle East and what's next for the war in Ukraine.  Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rory Stewart caused a buzz when he challenged Boris Johnson for leadership of the Conservative Party. He did not win the leadership, but he won widespread support for his ‘Rory Walks’ campaign across the United Kingdom, from Brits of all political stripes. He is also known for his walks across Afghanistan, where he was hunted by the Taliban in the mountains between Herat and Kabul at the height of the United States occupation in 2001. Stewart has been a diplomat, a politician, a soldier and - some say - a spy. But you’ll find him today championing one of his biggest passions - international aid, as the head of GiveDirectly, one of the biggest international charities in the world. One Decision’s Julia Macfarlane and Sir Richard Dearlove talk with Stewart and discuss whether the United Kingdom’s handling of its aid and soft power has seen better days, and what it means for Britain’s place in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison overlapped with two American presidents, navigated his nation's response through a global pandemic, and brokered one of the most consequential security agreements that Australia has signed in years. Morrison sits down with One Decision's resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove and guest host and journalist Liz Landers to discuss the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom more broadly and how the trilateral pact will counter Indo-Pacific threats. Morrison, who had a good working relationship with Donald Trump and Joe Biden, weighs in on the upcoming domestic elections in America and shares his observations about the United States' China policy as it has transitioned from former President Trump's presidency to the Biden administration. Sir Richard also presses him on COVID origins, an issue that earned Morrison the wrath of Beijing in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming up in the next season of One Decision podcast we’ll be sharing all new gripping stories of decisions good – and bad.  Our guests take us on a journey through their doubts, emotions and sometimes unexpected consequences.   Tune in next week for a new season!  You can download One Decision on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Should Donald Trump Approach Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine Plans? And could the American president’s tariffs impact military strategy? In this week’s episode, Christina Ruffini and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, are joined by retired four-star United States General Philip Breedlove who served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe from 2013-2016, during the time of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Breedlove’s career has been influential in shaping U.S. military air strategy domestically and abroad. He discusses the impact President Donald Trump’s tariff plans have had on military preparedness and strategy, the fortification of NATO, Ukraine’s defense strategy, and how Trump can negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Russia. Plus, with decades of conflict experience under their belts, Dearlove and Gen. Breedlove share stories about working in the field. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

En un episodio especial de One Decision en español Brett Bruen, exasesor del presidente Obama, entrevista a Juan Guaidó en su primera visita como exiliado a Washington D.C. El expresidente venezolano reflexiona sobre las lecciones aprendidas, las sanciones y hasta hace una autocrítica de la gestión del gobierno interino. Revela la influencia rusa en el país asentado sobre las mayores reservas de petróleo del planeta, la presencia china y cómo la nación latinoamericana se ha convertido en un santuario de grupos irregulares como el ELN, la FARC y el narcotráfico. In a special episode of One Decision in Spanish, Brett Bruen, former adviser to President Obama, interviewed Juan Guiadó on his first visit as an exile to Washington D.C. The former Venezuelan President reflects on the lessons learned, the sanctions and even makes a self-criticism of the interim government. It reveals the Russian influence in the country seated in the largest oil reserves on the planet, the Chinese presence and how the Latin-American nation has become a sanctuary of irregular groups such as the ELN, FARC and arms and drug trafficking. One Decision's Julia Macfarlane and Sir Richard Dearlove are back for our regular episode dropping on Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove explore what the FBI search of former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s home and office says about America’s broken system for handling classified material and why so many senior U.S. officials - including President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden, and now John Bolton - have been investigated for mishandling classified documents. As a former intelligence chief himself, Sir Richard also gives us an inside look into how the UK’s policy of handling sensitive information differs from America's policy, including what happens once a public official leaves office. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Xi and President Biden meet face-to-face for the first time since tensions frayed over a visit to Taiwan by the United States Speaker of the House of Representatives and the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon enraged Washington. America’s allies in the South China Sea are watching closely—will Biden and Xi patch things up, and what does that mean for Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints? Also, One Decision’s Sir Richard Dearlove reacts to the news that former Prime Minister David Cameron, who has been promoting projects for China’s Belt and Road Initiative has made a sudden comeback as the new Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s One Decision In Brief, Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove assess Russia’s latest gray-zone provocations — from fighter jets entering Estonian airspace to swarms of drones over Poland. What do these incursions reveal about NATO’s readiness, Europe’s vulnerabilities, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy? And with One Decision heading to the Warsaw Security Forum, these questions will be put directly to Europe’s leaders. Plus: inside MI6’s new dark-web recruitment portal, and how British intelligence is adapting to the digital age. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day after the September 11th attacks, then-NATO chief Lord George Robertson faced an existential question for the alliance: was this an attack on all?  And if so, what to do?  Lord Robertson, for the first time, shares details of his dealings with all the players of the time:  Bush, Rumsfeld, Powell—even Vladimir Putin.  Who wanted something…  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China has been getting everywhere.  Investing in virtually every corner of the globe.  And now, the Middle East.  With 5G, and beyond.  Expert and longtime diplomat Charles Dunne-- along with Britain’s former head of Mi6—get real, about what this means for the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Director of Global Engagement in the Obama White House Brett Bruen joins to host a special One More Decision to provide analysis on the discovery of a young Air Force reservist's role in stealing over a hundred secret documents and publishing them online. Bruen takes us inside the American security clearance system and looks at whether after so many intelligence issues, allies are now going to be less likely to share their sensitive insights with Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukraine's under an unprecedented assault, on the ground, but also online. We spoke to the man in charge of protecting Ukraine's digital infrastructure, Victor Zhora, about how the country continues to fight Russian troops on the battlefield, and Russian hackers in cyberspace. Guest host Helena Humphrey speaks with Sir Richard Dearlove, who himself revealed on One Decision that he has been the subject of a personal targeted cyber-attack by the Russians, and his analysis on where Russian cyber warriors may next take aim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner was jailed and sent to a penal colony in Moscow last year, the US government got to work on securing her release. But, a few days after she was detained by Russian authorities, Putin invaded Ukraine. Suddenly, it became complicated for the Americans to talk to the Russians in an official capacity. But luckily for Griner, they weren’t the only ones on the case. One Decision sits down with former American Ambassador Cameron Hume, who worked on the small team that traveled to Moscow to directly deal with the Kremlin themselves, on behalf of Griner’s and other detained Americans’ families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese President Xi Jinping is firing top officials in the People’s Liberation Army at an unprecedented rate—is he preparing for an invasion of Taiwan, or simply worried about challenges to his leadership? On this week’s One Decision: In Brief, co-host Kate McCann joins former head of MI6 and host Sir Richard Dearlove to examine what’s actually happening in Beijing through the lens of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping. Sir Richard explains why Europe’s economic dependencies on China may be cause for national security concerns. Kate and Sir Richard also discuss what to look for in the coming week regarding potential US military intervention in Iran, and why the US’s focus on Greenland was a distraction from just that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is 2026 China's window to “reunite” Taiwan? With Trump’s muted position on Taiwan and focus on the Western Hemisphere, China experts see a "perfect storm" of opportunity. Yun Sun, Ph.D., Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, explains why Beijing believes this may be a now-or-never moment.  Dr. Sun unpacks her arguments and warnings from her recent Foreign Affairs essay. In this episode: The People's Liberation Army’s military readiness  If the United States won’t intervene, would Japan or South Korea?  Decoding the signals from the purge of PLA generals Xi Jinping's legacy ambitions Warning signs to watch in 2026 Show Notes:  A Perfect Storm for Taiwan in 2026? | Foreign Affairs   Yun Sun | Stimson Center Yun Sun | Brookings  Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (international journalist). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Secretary Armitage sat down with One Decision's Julia Macfarlane and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove to talk about the trip and how US policy and attitudes towards the threats from the East have evolved. They also discuss the rising alliance between Moscow and Beijing and Putin's increasing dependence on China as he continues to wage war in Ukraine. Plus, Julia and Sir Richard catch up on the week's news, including his take on the ongoing election campaign in the UK and his prediction on whether the Tories will do as badly as the polls say and Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Pyongyang to meet with North Korean President Kim Jong Un. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 recent stunning European election results sent shockwaves across France all the way to the Elysee, prompting Macron to call a snap election that likely has backfired for him and his allies. Plus, Reuters' Defense and Foreign Policy correspondent Idrees Ali gives us the picture from Washington as preparations are underway for the upcoming 75th anniversary of NATO at a time of growing skepticism across Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, break down how a group of cabinet members from the Trump administration inadvertently revealed classified national security information to a magazine editor. The information, detailing a military attack on Houthis in Yemen, was shared in a group chat on the messaging app, Signal. Later, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, joins the podcast to discuss his pivotal role during the first few weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, shares insight into the United States’ role in ceasefire negotiations, and why he’s fairly optimistic about the outcome of the war in Gaza. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music produced and composed by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A veteran diplomat and one of the leading experts on China, Charlie Parton, joins his old friend Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss the increasing and personally invasive threat posed by the tiny chips present in everything from your smart fridge to your Fitbit. It’s a remarkable conversation that will change the way we look at the modern technology that now fills our homes. They also delve into how China’s monopoly in the production of these chips has put the world in a very vulnerable position and what we can do to extract ourselves from this dangerous dependency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UK and US governments have declassified unprecedented intelligence on Moscow’s bloody campaign in Ukraine. Lifting the veil on Putin’s strategy and how it is playing out is having an impact on events on the ground - and has taken the Kremlin by surprise. Two perspectives from two veterans of Western intelligence. John Sipher served three decades in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, and during his career he was posted on the ground in Moscow, before eventually running the Agency’s Russia operations. He also served as Chief of several stations abroad. And our regular co-host Sir Richard Dearlove was the former Chief of MI6, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Decision's Julia Macfarlane and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove sit down with Senator Mark Warner, Chairman of the powerful United States Senate Intelligence Committee. In his role, the Virginia Democrat oversees the vast intelligence community and investigations related to national security. The discussion features the committee's work on investigations into the mishandling of classified documents, the challenge from China, and the emerging threat of artificial intelligence and advanced technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China's leader has solidified his grip on the ruling Chinese Communist Party, embarking on an unprecedented third term in power. With now nearly limitless power, the world's biggest country totalling a fifth of humanity is now largely under the control of a single man. Who is Xi Jinping? What is his backstory - and how is he likely to respond to the growing domestic pressures in China stemming from his unpopular lockdown policies and the ticking timebomb of financial pressures? Former British diplomat and world-renowned China expert, Dr. Kerry Brown joins us for a deep dive into the country and its leader. Our discussion, which as always features analysis from former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, explores Xi's tumultuous path to joining the Party after nine failed attempts. We follow his political journey through to a questionable response to the most recent health, as well as economic pressures facing the country. The first in a three-part series on China, we learn more about an increasingly influential and yet not widely understood Chinese President.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Palantir a sinister surveillance giant — or the gold standard in mission-critical software? In this episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and ex-MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove speak with Lauren Penneys, Palantir SVP , to separate fact from fiction. She discusses the firm’s rise from post-9/11 intelligence work to the front lines of Ukraine and Israel, Britain's National Health Service (NHS), and its controversial work with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). They also explore Palantir’s wider role in defense, intelligence, and healthcare, and whether artificial intelligence will magnify both the promise — and the risks — of its technology. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 across the Pacific region and the concerns about the reliability of the United States as an ally. Stay tuned to the One Decision feed for more interviews with world leaders from UNGA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 semaine, nous recevons Thierry Breton, ancien Commissaire européen au marché intérieur et ancien ministre de l’Économie. Il nous livre son analyse sur les grands enjeux du moment : l’évolution des relations transatlantiques, l’impact de la guerre en Ukraine, l’avenir de l’industrie de la défense, mais aussi l’influence croissante d’acteurs non étatiques comme Elon Musk, qui bousculent les équilibres traditionnels.  Une conversation essentielle pour comprendre les défis auxquels l’Europe doit faire face et les leviers dont elle dispose pour rester un acteur majeur sur la scène internationale. Margot Haddad, journaliste française et présentatrice, reçoit Thierry Breton. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska. But Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky won’t be in the room. On this week’s One Decision In Brief, hosts Sir Richard Dearlove, former MI6 Chief, and Christina Ruffini analyze the implications of a proposed U.S.-Russia summit without Ukraine, the uproar in Europe, and what a truce might look like on the ground. Plus: The striking parallel between Trump’s move to federalize Washington D.C.’s police and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s abolition of London’s local council. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States' longest foreign war came to an end as the last American troops departed Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base on August 15, 2021. On the same day, Taliban forces breached the walls of Kabul, taking full control of the country as President Ashraf Ghani fled. One Decision sits down with the former Vice President of the National Assembly, Fawzia Koofi, and former U.S. Marine and investor in the country, Jake Cusack, who also helped to rescue hundreds fleeing the extremist group's return to power. They delve into President Biden’s much-criticized decision to proceed with pulling out American troops and consequences it has had on the country, as well as America's standing around the world. Resident analyst Sir Richard Dearlove, who led the British intelligence agency MI6, also weighs in on what may lie for Afghans under Taliban rule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Venezuela is known to have the world’s biggest reserves of crude oil - but more than 90% of its citizens live in poverty. Millions of people have fled the country since 2015, in what the United Nations has described as the second biggest displacement disaster in the world. The policies of the Hugo Chavez government live on in the Bolivarian regime and leadership of Nicholas Maduro - but can the communists be ousted? One Decision speaks with former United States Ambassador to Caracas Patrick Duddy and exiled opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to consider what is at stake and whether the opposition can chart a route forward before elections in 2024. And former President Juan Guaidó sits down exclusively with One Decision's Brett Bruen for his first interview in Washington as an exile to talk about the details of his family's flight from Venezuela and why he felt it was no longer safe to stay. International Intrigue is a <5min daily newsletter written by former diplomats. They scan over 600 sources a day so you don't have to. Sign up to join 50,000 global thinkers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas serves as the chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, which oversees the State Department and shapes the United States foreign policy. Guest host and correspondent Christina Ruffini sat down with McCaul for a wide-ranging interview about the stalled $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, Middle East security, and whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza could damage Israel's standing on the global stage. McCaul discusses his work leading the oversight investigation into the Biden administration's chaotic withdrawal from Kabul and says that U.S. foreign policy has been "abysmal," starting with the fall of Afghanistan in 2021. Plus, One Decision's resident spymaster, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, discusses the current state of intelligence-sharing with Russia after the deadly mass shooting in Moscow and whether the Kremlin failed to heed the West's warning of a terrorist attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna represents parts of Silicon Valley— the wealthiest congressional district in America and the world's largest technology hub, home to tech giants Apple, Meta, and Google. Khanna sits down for a wide-ranging conversation with One Decision guest host and correspondent Liz Landers to discuss tech, AI regulation, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying the United States’ “bear hugging" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a "strategic mistake.” As one of the leading voices on technology regulation in the House of Representatives, Khanna says Europe shouldn't be "preaching" when it comes to regulation, and we're past the days of "colonialism where Europe thought they could tell the world what to do." They also discuss his role as a Biden campaign surrogate and President Biden's reelection prospects. Plus, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove joins Liz to discuss the proposed ban on TikTok in the United States and the backlash over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new citizenship law.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was it a very bad year?  Or just a looong continuation of 2020?!  You don’t want to miss this sharp, freewheeling roundtable on the most impactful decisions on our planet—and the not-so-obvious angles.  With FT’s Gillian Tett. Politico’s Suzanne Lynch.  And Sir Richard lets loose with some insights… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukraine welcomed the first arrival this week of sophisticated tanks, as well as armed personnel carriers from the United Kingdom and the United States. They arrive on the battlefield just in time for a long-anticipated counteroffensive by Kyiv. As heavier military support begins to trickle in from western allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin weighs another political calculation of his own - if and when is the time to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. He set off alarms abroad when he announced in recent days that some nuclear weapons would be moved to Belarus. CNN's Clarissa Ward recently returned from Ukraine and sits down with One Decision to discuss these latest developments, her conversations with Ukrainian officials, and what Putin might be thinking of doing next.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexander Kamyshin is in charge of arming Ukraine's defense industries, and gathering military hardware from allies to sustain the country's defense against a Russian invasion. This week he is in the American capital meeting with lawmakers and business leaders alongside his Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and President Volodymyr Zelensky. He was the guy who led Ukrainian railways and went viral for his success at keeping the country's train network running punctually during the early days of the war. He managed to not only deliver millions of Ukrainians safely, but also transport the leaders of the free world in and out of Kyiv. One Decision's Sir Richard Dearlove met Kamyshin in Ukraine earlier this year and joins with his thoughts on the logistical leader’s efforts and the state of his supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norman Roule served for 34 years in the Central Intelligence Agency, managing significant programs related to the Middle East, including his role as National Intelligence manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from November 2008 to 2017. Roule joins guest host and journalist Christina Ruffini and One Decision's resident spymaster, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove, to discuss the new security threats in the Middle East after Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel. Roule says Tehran will test the limits of the "new red lines" to keep Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others under pressure in a quagmire in the region. They also discuss how the crisis will change U.S. Middle East policy, the status of Iran's nuclear program, and predictions on the Islamic Republic's next steps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How's the global transition to clean energy going? The team behind the top global affairs podcast, One Decision, brings you "Power Decisions," a new energy series that explores the world's energy sources and the politics and power behind the clean transition. On this episode, guest host and journalist Liz Landers speaks with former Peruvian Environment Minister and COP 20 President Manuel Pulgar Vidal to assess the international progress towards the Paris Climate Agreement. Vidal explains what countries agreed on at this year's COP summit in Dubai. He also discusses China's monopoly of critical minerals needed for clean energy power sources and weighs in on a recent pause from the Biden administration on liquid natural gas exports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wagner Group is used extensively by the Russian government in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and across the African continent. The private military company serves as a shadow military consisting of thousands of highly-trained and well-equipped mercenaries. From war crimes to trafficking in illicit goods, they have earned a reputation as one of the most significant sources of instability in countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The United Nations Human Rights Council's Jelena Aparac and former CIA paramilitary case officer Philip Wasielewski look at how and where the group does Vladimir Putin's dirty work. They examine the role Wagner forces are currently playing on the battlefield in Ukraine and whether the international community should designate them as an international terrorist organization. The panel is joined by the former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, who adds insights into Russia's asymmetric warfare tactics and what else may be in store as the Kremlin looks for more ways to destabilize its neighbors and other vulnerable nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since President Biden and President Xi exchanged handshakes and smiles at last year’s G20, relations between the two powers have been on shaky ground. Most recently, the United States Defense Secretary was snubbed by his Chinese counterpart in Singapore during a regional defense summit. The Chinese military has lashed out at the United States holding a joint exercise with Canada in the waters around Taiwan, and the United States is still angry at Beijing over the recent saga of ‘spy balloons’ found floating in the air above American towns. As Taiwan warns that Beijing is getting ready to invade in a matter of years, American leaders still seem to be settling on a strategy for how to defend the island. One Decision’s Julia Macfarlane and Brett Bruen look at what the latest diplomatic developments and military maneuvers mean for the possibility of avoiding conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Donald Trump were to return to office in 2025 he would find that NATO, the target of so many of his scathing comments, is now more closely resembling the kind of alliance the former President said he wanted. It is more muscular, fed by bigger budgets paid for by its constituent European parts. And as NATO changes, Japan and Germany have shifted away from their postwar military restraint in the face of a raging war in Europe and the growing threat from China. One Decision sits down with Trump’s NATO Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison for her view on its dramatic transformation, if she thinks the US or Europe deserves the credit and how a divisive 2024 presidential election could affect Europe’s security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on One Decision, guest host Mary Alice Parks and Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, sit down with Jon Czin, former Director for China at the National Security Council and current Chair of Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. In this conversation, the group explores China's growing confidence and its shift from defensive to offensive strategy under the second Trump administration. They examine China's economic posturing, including Xi Jinping's reluctance to craft a stimulus package, Beijing's confidence in its technological advancements, and why tariffs have failed to gain the leverage Washington expected. They also examine the tension between Trump's trade-focused approach and U.S. lawmakers security concerns. The group debates whether China’s assertiveness reflects genuine strength or hides deeper vulnerabilities in its political and economic system, and questions what China’s recent confidence could mean for a potential Taiwan invasion in 2027. The conversation also looks at how China’s rise is shaping global order, including Europe's increasing dependence on China and the risks that come with it, and considers whether the West is truly prepared for what lies ahead. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cuba is running out of fuel, its economy is in ruins, and 2 million of its citizens have already fled. Is the communist regime finally at its breaking point? Sir Richard Dearlove and Kate McCann sit down with Brian Latell, PhD, a 35-year CIA veteran and the agency's top Cuba and Latin America analyst. They assess whether the government can survive Trump's fuel embargo, what a transition would actually look like, and why Marco Rubio's approach may be more measured than his rhetoric suggests. In this episode: 04:19 US-Cuba Relations 10:25 Risks of Squeezing Cuba Too Hard 13:03 Can the Regime Collapse Peacefully 18:03 Who Holds Power in Havana 23:02 Intelligence Files and Biosecurity Fears 27:31 Rebuilding Cuba and Diaspora Role 29:35 What Drives Marco Rubio 31:08 One Decision to Watch Next Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Lucks faced death threats from the Far Right, on his long road to the Bundestag. At 24, he is now one of the fresh faces—and consciences—of Germany’s youngest-ever parliament. He speaks candidly on what’s coming—and what he wants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of our end-of-year review looking into the biggest decisions of 2022, we look at how Putin's invasion of Ukraine plunged Europe into its biggest security crisis since the Second World War. Just a few days after Putin ordered troops to cross the border into Ukraine, German Chancellor Scholz declared a historic reversal of decades-old policy and a 100 billion euro fund to bolster Germany's armed forces. After leading the UK out of the EU, Boris Johnson suddenly became one of the continent's biggest advocates for defense, spearheading much of the response to Ukraine. And old attitudes to Russia and the West were suddenly reevaluated around the world. The Economist's Anne McElvoy, Prashant Rao of Semafor, and BloombergTV's Maria Tadeo joined One Decision for a look at how the Ukraine war has changed the political map for Europe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, take a deep look at the surprising rise of Ahmed al-Shura, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jalani, from extremist militant and former Abu Ghraib prisoner to the new president of Syria after the sudden fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The discussion examines the collapse of the Assad regime and Ahmed Al-Shura’s rise to power. The conversation also sheds light on the international intelligence behind the scenes of al-Shura's rise, including Israel’s military aid, the U.K.'s involvement, and what the U.S. actually knew as the events started to unfold. Finally, they examine the difficulty of running a country like Syria and whether al-Shura can survive the political, ethnic, and religious tightrope he now walks. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 with the European Union's Dragos Tudorache MEP, Chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence and one of the leading architects of the EU's new landmark legislation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Estonian Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur, former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, along with the US House Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Jim Himes. The panel was moderated by Christina Ruffini and the museum’s historian Dr. Andrew Hammond. They looked at what this summit and the future holds for the alliance. They also delve into what Ukraine needs for the next stage of the conflict and how the next American administration will impact global security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of One Decision, host Kate McCann and co-host Sir Ben Wallace, former UK Defence Secretary, speak with former US National Security Advisor to Kamala Harris, Philip Gordon. They dissect the Trump administration’s military actions in Venezuela, including the arrest of President Maduro, and also discuss the US’s threat to take control of Greenland and what these moves could mean for the future of global politics. Gordon begins by offering a candid explanation of what is really driving Donald Trump’s decisions and warns whether America is taking extraordinary risks without a credible plan for what comes next if its strategy fails. Gordon and Wallace argue that the United States is moving away from a rules-based international system and toward a “spheres of influence” approach, aligning the US more closely with the worldviews of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and question the future of Western foreign policy. They also discuss Europe’s inadequate response, whether divisions between countries have made it hard for Europe to respond effectively, and what steps Europe could take to become less dependent on the U.S to better handle global conflict on its own.  Gordon closes with a discussion on the growth of public fatigue in the United States after decades of global leadership and considers whether this fatigue could limit America’s ability to reclaim its former international role in the post-Trump era. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices