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“Chance of Spying: 100%”
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.
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Bonus: How can the US plug its classified leaks?
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.
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The Online Battlefield: Russia's Hybrid War on Ukraine
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.
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Hostage diplomacy with the Kremlin
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.
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In Brief: What Xi Jinping's Military Purge Means for the West
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.
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Will China Invade Taiwan in 2026? Expert's New Insight Reveals "Perfect Storm"
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).
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Will the US Defend Taiwan? We Ask the Man Biden Just Sent to Taipei
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.
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French Elections: The Far Right, Russia and NATO
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.
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Ex-Spy Chief’s Take on US Signal Group Chat
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.
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Why we should fear China spying on our home appliances
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.
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Spy Roundtable: How Declassified Intelligence Disrupted Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
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.
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US Senate Intelligence Chairman on Latest Threats from China and AI
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.
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Is China's Xi the new Mao?
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.
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Inside Palantir: The Future of Global Security and AI
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.
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Asian Leaders on the China Challenge
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.
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Un Épisode Spécial: Thierry Breton sur une Europe face à Trump
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.
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In Brief: What Europe Fears Most From Trump's Meeting with Putin
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.
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Afghanistan: Does the decision to leave look any better a year on?
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.
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Venezuela: Did Biden Give In Too Early to Maduro?
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.
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Congressional Leader on Biden's Foreign Policy, Russia Terrorist Attack
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.
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Liberal Congressional Leader on Biden's "Strategic Mistake" in Israel
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.
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The Biggest, Gnarliest Decisions… of 2021!
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…
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CNN's Clarissa Ward on a Ukrainian Counteroffensive, Putin's Next Move
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.
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Ukraine's Weapons Chief on How To Win the War
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.
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Ex-MI6 Chief & Senior CIA Official on Iran's Next Moves
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.
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Special Energy Series: He Led COP. We Ask if Dubai’s a Big Deal
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.
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What makes the Wagner Group so dangerous?
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.
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Bonus: Can China & the US Turn Down the Temperature?
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.
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Does Trump Deserve Credit for NATO’s Strength?
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.
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The Threat To China's Superpower Status
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.
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Is Cuba About to Fall? A 35-Year CIA Analyst on What Comes Next
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).
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Young, Green, Gay—and German Parliamentarian
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.
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BONUS: Part III: How the Ukraine-Russia conflict has changed Europe
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.
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In Brief: How An Ex-al Qaeda Fighter Became The Leader of Syria
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.
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Iran, Surprise UK Elections, AI
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.
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Live at the Spy Museum: World & Congressional leaders on the NATO Summit
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.
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Trump's Venezuela Raid. A Warning for Europe
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.
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BONUS: Is globalization dead?
Russia and China are undertaking an unprecedented assault on the international order. Meanwhile, serious questions linger about America's willingness to exert leadership across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Spain's former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Manuel Muñiz discusses why the war in Ukraine is likely to drag out for years and how it will accelerate a process of deglobalization. In his view, the world will divide across two main blocs, democracies and authoritarian states. The consequences of this tectonic transition will be considerable for countries, companies, and consumers. Yet, he believes in this scary scenario, there are still some reasons for optimism and new opportunities, if we are ready to seize them.
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In Brief: Havana Syndrome. What is it...And is it Real?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, dive into a very controversial and perplexing mystery, Havana Syndrome. The hosts break down a range of surveillance devices possibly used in Havana, Cuba, against U.S diplomats and embassy staffers, and explore whether foreign rivals like Russia, China, or Cuba could be responsible. Sir Richard speaks on his intelligence experience, providing real-world examples of Cold War espionage, including Soviet listening devices hidden in embassy walls, and how the accidental use of a laser beam allowed for the interception of private conversations. They examine how advanced eavesdropping tools and listening devices might unintentionally harm U.S. officials and whether the government has done enough to investigate cases or support those affected with long-term trauma.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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Four Years of Ukraine War, No End In Sight: Ex-CIA officer Mike Baker Assesses Risks
When a former CIA officer and the ex-Chief of MI6 agree something is coming — pay attention. This week, Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer with nearly two decades running intelligence operations in the world's most hostile environments.
Together, they give an unvarnished assessment of the three crises dominating global affairs right now: whether US military action against Iran is imminent and what it would actually target; why Putin has little incentive to end the war in Ukraine and what could change his calculus; and why Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida, may be closer to collapse than anyone is reporting.
Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika (House of Lords).
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Obama's Trade Czar on One of the Biggest Blunders in US History
The new President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Ambassador Michael Froman, joins One Decision to talk about the China challenge as President Joe Biden prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in California. Froman was a key player in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations while serving as U.S. Trade Representative under President Obama—a massive trade deal which Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2017— something that Froman says will go down as one of the most "significant strategic blunders in American history." One Decision's resident spymaster Sir Richard Dealove shares his thoughts on the latest news on the Israel-Hamas war.
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Ex-MI6 & Aussie Spy Chiefs on Trump’s Gaza Gambit, Chinese Threat
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 Warner, former Director-General of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence (ONI) to discuss the emerging presence of the Australian intelligence community, their role in countering Chinese surveillance operations, and the unpredictable black swan events that could rattle the geopolitical landscape this year.
Episode produced by Situtation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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Ben Wallace on Trump, Ukraine, & European Defence
In this week's episode, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, sit down with Sir Ben Wallace, one of the longest-serving Conservative defence secretaries in the United Kingdom since Sir Winston Churchill. They discuss President Donald Trump's role in global politics, whether his style has changed diplomacy, and Britain's trade deal with America. They also explore the United Kingdom and the European Union's defence needs, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and what's next for Israel and Gaza. Plus, Sir Ben shares some of the biggest decisions of his career.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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In Brief: Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan. What's at Stake for Europe?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, break down President Donald Trump's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. The plan includes Ukraine ceding territory to Russia and never becoming a NATO member state. Ruffini and Dearlove discuss what this plan means not only for Ukrainian security, but also European and American security, and how Europe is pushing back on the plan. Plus, the hosts examine Trump’s warm reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and what this could signify for the future of the U.S.'s relationship with the Middle East
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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Ex-UK Defence Secretary’s Blunt Take on Trump
How should the UK engage with China? In this week’s episode, journalist Kate McCann and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, sit down with Sir Grant Shapps, former Defence Secretary for the United Kingdom. During his tenure, Shapps was an advocate for building European defense in the wake of the war in Ukraine. He gives insight into what it was like to work with China and explains why the United Kingdom should engage financially and commercially with the nation. He also shares his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy approaches and why he’s disappointed in Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Plus, Shapps shares his thoughts on fortifying an AI defense strategy and offers predictions for the future of foreign policy.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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Ex-MI6 Chief on Moscow’s Moldovan Meddling, Prime Minister of Iceland on Arctic Threats
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 also talk about the Israeli intelligence that led to the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Russia's potential interference in Moldova's recent election to join the European Union. Later, Sir Richard and Christina sit down with Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to talk about Iceland's strategic importance amid concerns over increased cooperation from Russia and China in the Arctic.
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The Top Negotiator on How Brexit Looks Now
Lord David Frost, Boris Johnson's pugnacious Brexit chief negotiator, was one of the driving forces behind the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and a powerful force behind the scenes. But for a man who has had so much influence on British people's lives, he's not often heard from in detail. With time to reflect, Lord Frost sits down with One Decision's Julia Macfarlane and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove in the latest in a series looking at the state of UK politics ahead of the general elections, which could end 14 years of the British Conservative Party's rule. Frost also shares what he thinks of Britain's foreign policy, supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia and criticism of Israel and how it's conducting its war in Gaza.
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Top Defense Leaders on How Ukraine Can Win
From cyberattacks to drones over NATO skies, defense leaders believe Russia is probing for weakness. At the Warsaw Security Forum, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe told One Decision that Moscow’s provocations aim to divide allies and mask failures in Ukraine. They join hosts Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove to explain why NATO’s unity—and America’s staying power—will decide whether Europe’s defenses hold.
One Decision is an official media partner of the Warsaw Security Forum. The gathering was held this week in Warsaw, Poland. #WSF2025 #DividedWeFall
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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Just Say No… to China
Colombian Ambassador Francisco Santos delivers an extraordinary, insider wake-up-call to his South American neighbors: beware the Chinese bearing gifts. And to the US-- “It’s halftime and you’re losing 30 to nothing.”
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Ex-Spy Chief and U.S. Lawmaker Discuss Trump's Foreign Policy
This week, Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove unpack the proposed Iran nuclear deal discussed in Rome, following Trump’s exit from the JCPOA. They also reflect on Pope Francis’s recent death and the Catholic Church’s ties to intelligence agencies. Later, Rep. Tim Burchett joins to weigh in on the strategic importance of U.S.-Greenland trade, his views on Putin, and U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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