Drycleanercast: Espionage, Terrorism & Geopolitics

On today’s episode, Matt welcomes back his friend and fellow indie spy writer, Stephen England, to discuss his new novel, “Soon Dies the Day.” They take a deep-dive into the book's development and unpack some of its more timely geopolitics themes, including the German far-right and infighting in Russian security services. If you’re a fan of realistic, thoroughly researched spy thrillers, this is a conversation for you. Stephen’s website: https://www.stephenenglandbooks.com Get Soon Dies the Day on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1p1O8AO Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures” https://mattfulton.net/ --- Alphabet Boys Podcast --- Alphabet Boys reveals the secret investigations of the FBI, DEA, ATF, and other alphabet agencies. Hosted by journalist Trevor Aaronson, Alphabet Boys exposes secret undercover recordings that the government never wanted the public to hear. We explore dangerous and absurd cases to ask this question: Are America’s top cops catching criminals or creating them? Find out mo

On today’s episode, Matt talks with Pate McMichael, a journalist and professor at the University of Arizona, about his book, "Operation Chrysler: Stolen Valor Behind Enemy Lines in World War II”. They explore the gripping true story of Operation Chrysler, an OSS mission deep inside Nazi-occupied Italy, and the decades-long investigation into the murder of its commanding officer, Major William Holohan. Through meticulous research and riveting storytelling, Pate’s book unravels layers of deception, intrigue, espionage, and betrayal that will leave you questioning the very nature of valor and honor in times of war. Get a copy of Operation Chrysler here: https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Chrysler-Stolen-Behind-During/dp/B086G11XSK. Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures”  https://mattfulton.net/ Additionally, don't miss out on our new show, "Extra Shot," available exclusively on the Secrets & Spies Patreon page. Subscribe now to gain access to this thrilling content and delve deeper into th

On this special episode of Espresso (Vodka) Martini, join Chris, and Matt as they delve into the recent dramatic events in Russia. Like the rest of the world, they were taken aback when Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries orchestrated an armed convoy headed towards Moscow, seemingly attempting a coup. In this episode, Chris & Matt strive to shed light on what is known so far. If you enjoyed this podcast please support us by becoming a Patreon subscriber and get access to our exclusive show “Extra Shot”.  You can subscribe to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Links to articles discussed in Espresso Martini “Band of Brothers: The Wagner Group and the Russian State” by Centre of Strategic Studies https://www.csis.org/blogs/post-soviet-post/band-brothers-wagner-group-and-russian-state Professor Phillips O’Brien: “Substack weekend update 34” https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-update-34?sd=pf Putin Caught In His Own Trap By Anne Applebaum for

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt look at Former President Trump being accused of illegally retaining classified documents, new evidence suggesting Russian forces are responsible for destroying the Kakhvoka dam, and information on a Chinese spy base in Cuba. On Extra Shot, they look at the German intelligence service seeing more aggressive Russian intelligence efforts, Russian assassins targeting a defector in Miami, and a Cold War traitor deep in the Australian intelligence services finally being unmasked. You can access “Extra Shot” by subscribing to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Surfshark offer Get an exclusive Surfshark deal! Enter promo code SECRETS for an extra 3 months free at https://surfshark.deals/SECRETS Links to articles discussed in Espresso Martini & Extra Shot: What Trump indictment tells us about US security risks By Gordon Corera https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65878149 Chinese Nationals at Mar-a-Lago Raise Questions Abou

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt look at the death of the Russian spy who was deep in the FBI, Robert Hanssen. Later in the episode, they are joined by Chemical, Biological and Radiological expert Dan Kaszeta who the UK Government Blacklisting has blacklisted for being critical of the government on Twitter. Dan discusses what that experience has been like and what he has since discovered. And lastly, they look at the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and discuss who may be responsible. On Extra Shot (Patreon Exclusive show) Chris & Matt look at the sinking of a boat in Italy with Mossad and Italian intelligence officers aboard. Was it foul play or an accident? Dan joins us to discuss his thoughts on the recent poisonings of Kremlin critics in Berlin & Prague. He also gives us some good cheese recommendations. The final story Chris & Matt look at whether Vladimir Putin was involved with Red Army Faction terrorists during his time in Germany in the 1980s. You can access “Ex

Today, Chris is joined by Aki J. Peritz, a former CIA officer and author. They dive into the gripping story of the liquid bomb plot and the monumental counterterrorism investigation launched to thwart it. Aki's captivating book, "Disruption," provides an insider's perspective on the plot and sheds light on how it was successfully foiled. Join them as they uncover the secrets behind this high-stakes operation and unravel the reasons behind the stringent restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage aboard planes. Get a copy of “Disruption” here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/disruption-inside-the-largest-counterterrorism-investigation-in-history-aki-j-peritz/16580363?ean=9781640123809 Additionally, don't miss out on our new show, "Extra Shot," available exclusively on the Secrets & Spies Patreon page. Subscribe now to delve deeper into espionage and intrigue. www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies For more information about the Secrets & Spies, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ 

On this episode of Espresso Martini Chris and Matt take a look at Bakhmut means for Putin and Russia, the UK Government Blacklisting chemical weapons export Dan Kaszeta for being critical of the government on Twitter. They also take another look at the Turkish Presidential elections and accusations of Russian interference. Also the new Patreon exclusive show “Extra Shot” launches. You can access it by subscribing to the Secrets & Spies Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Links to articles discussed:  Putin & Bakhmut https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/23/putin-is-toast-with-or-without-bakhmut/ Dan Kaszeta blacklisted by UK Gov https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65675247 Turkey https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/12/turkish-opposition-accuses-russia-of-election-interference-days-before-vote  Find out more about Matt and his book “Active Measures.”  https://mattfulton.net/ Check out Chris’s short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple TV

We are launching an extra show that will be a Patreon exclusive and it will follow immediately after each Espresso Martini. The new show is called “Extra Shot” and it will give us an opportunity to talk about stories we didn’t cover but we really wanted to. Also, we may talk about any stories or bits of history that are on our mind at the moment and in time we plan to get on the odd guest and hopefully even some listeners. So to get access to Extra Shot you will need to go to  www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies You will need to pick a subscription level, and depending on which level you select, you will get a complimentary Secrets & Spies coffee cup or set of coasters.  So, we hope that sounds good value to you, you will be directly supporting this podcast, and if it becomes popular, we will be open to expanding and making more content exclusively for you. So to get access to Extra Shot you will need to go to  www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris, Matt and Oliver the cat discuss a little more Jack Teixeira the man arrested over Pentagon files leak. Then we will look at a former FBI Special Agent arrested for his role in the January 6th attack. Then we look at an interesting spy story involving a retired Iranian government member accused of being a spy for MI6. In the last section of the show, we discuss some of the new information on the Nord Stream pipeline attack and look ahead at the Presidential elections in Turkey this weekend. Links to articles discussed: War, Weapons and Conspiracy Theories: Inside Airman Teixeira’s Online World https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/06/us/politics/jack-teixeira-leaks-discord-messages.html Ex-FBI agent who feds say urged Jan. 6, rioters to kill police worked terrorism task force https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/ex-fbi-agent-feds-say-urged-jan-6-rioters-kill-police-worked-terrorism-rcna82775 Iranian Insider and British Spy: How a Double Life Ended on the

On this episode of Espresso Martini we discuss the recent Pentagon leaks, a Russian pro-war blogger who is not actually Russian, business men taking money from Chinese spies and Spy Ships off the coast of Scotland. Links to articles discussed: Who is Jack Teixeira, the man arrested over Pentagon files leak? By Peter Beaumont reporting for The Guardian Newspaper https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/13/who-is-jack-teixeira-the-man-arrested-over-pentagon-files-leak What the leaked Pentagon documents reveal - key takeaways By Paul Adams, Jean Mackenzie and Antoinette Radford reporting for the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65238951 Pentagon Leaks: Russian Su-27 Nearly Shot Down British Rivet Joint Last Year By David Cenciotti reporting for The Aviationist https://theaviationist.com/2023/04/11/russian-su-27-nearly-shot-down-british-rivet-joint-last-year/ Social-Media Account Overseen by Former Navy Noncommissioned Officer Helped Spread Secrets By Yaroslav Trofimov for the Wall Street

On todays podcast Chris is joined by Eldad Ben Aharon who is a researcher of Israeli intelligence and geopolitical history. We discuss the challenges of researching intelligence history in Israel and the importance of first person interviews with intelligence community members. You can connect with Eldad on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/EldadBenAharon You can read the following papers by Eldad via the links below Interview with Efraim Halevy https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02684527.2022.2095600 'Doing Oral History with the Israeli Elite': https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00940798.2019.1702467 (free ungated access to the content).  Research project bout Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: https://www.hsfk.de/en/publications/publication-search/publication/between-geopolitics-and-identitiy-struggle-why-israel-took-sides-with-azerbaijan-in-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict You can read more from Eldad via his website here: https://hsfk.academia.edu/EldadBenAharon For more information ab

On this episode, Matt sits down with his friend and fellow indie spy writer Stephen England. They talk about Stephen's decade-long career as a novelist, the history and development of his 'Shadow Warriors' series, their inspirations, and the ethics of writing in the spy genre For more information about Stephen and his books, check out his Amazon page: shorturl.at/elFI0 For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Connect with us on social media  TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Support Secrets and Spies:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Find out more about Matt and his

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt take a look at President Xi’s trip to China, Chinese espionage against the west and the revelations of a recent Russian defector who paints a less than flattering picture of President Putin and his mental state. Links to articles discussed on this episode “China portrays Xi’s Russia trip as bid for leadership of non-Western world” – by Lily Kuo for the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/21/china-xi-russia-world-leadership/ “China waging decades-long spy war” by Calder Walton for Foreign Policy https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/28/china-has-been-waging-a-decades-long-all-out-spy-war/ “Russian defector sheds light on Putin paranoia and his secret train network” by Andrew Roth and Pjotr Sauer for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/05/russian-defector-sheds-light-on-putin-paranoia-including-secret-train For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Conn

Hi everyone, we just wanted to share a quick update about the podcast. We will now be producing two Espresso Martinis a month. Chris & Matt will also be splitting interviews between them. So exciting times ahead for the show! We will have an "Ask us anything" section on the next Espresso Martini. Email or Tweet at us your questions before 6th April.  You can email us here: secretsandspiespodcast&gmail.com and Tweet at us here:  www.twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies Support Secrets and Spies:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media  TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out our short spy film “THE DRY CLEANER” which is now available to buy on Apple

We are joined by Matthew Orr, a Eurasian analyst at RANE, Risk Assistance Network & Exchange in this episode. We discuss the first anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine and what to expect over the next few months. You can find out more about RANE here: https://www.ranenetwork.com/ Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Support Secrets and Spies    Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg  Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies  You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Check out our short spy film “THE DRY

Matt Fulton interviews Shane Harris from the Washington Post on today's podcast. Shane has written about intelligence, security and foreign policy for over two decades. He is a staff writer with The Washington Post, covering U.S. intelligence agencies and national security. Shane takes us through his research on the Nord Stream attack and how it is not as straightforward as previously believed. These are Shane’s articles discussed in the episode: No conclusive evidence Russia is behind Nord Stream attack https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/21/russia-nord-stream-explosions/ Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Pipelines, U.S. Officials Say https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/politics/nord-stream-pipeline-sabotage-ukraine.html Intelligence officials suspect Ukraine partisans behind Nord Stream bombings, rattling Kyiv’s allies https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/07/intelligence-officials-suspect-ukraine-partisans-behind-nord-stream-bombings-rattling

On this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris & Matt look at President Joe Biden’s historic trip to Ukraine, leaked documents showing how Russia plans to take over Belarus, and CIA director William Burns's secret trip to Libya and more! Links to articles discussed in this episode “Biden’s Surreal and Secretive Journey Into a War Zone” By Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear for the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/politics/biden-kyiv-ukraine.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare “Revealed: Leaked document shows how Russia plans to take over Belarus” By Michael Weiss and Holger Roonemaa for Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/russia-belarus-strategy-document-230035184.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma “Russian state news accidentally publishes article saying Russia has defeated Ukraine and restored its 'historical borders” By Yelena Dzhanova for Yahoo News & Business Insider https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-state-news-accidentally-publishes-181749627.html “

On today's podcast, I am joined by journalist John Sweeney, the author of “Killer in the Kremlin”. John joins me from Kyiv, and we reflect on the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. You can get a copy of “Killer in the Kremlin” and find out more about John and his work here: https://www.johnsweeney.co.uk/ You can support his freelance work in Ukraine here: https://www.patreon.com/JohnSweeneyRoar You can follow John on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/johnsweeneyroar For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/

On today podcast I am joined by Dr Taras Kuzio and we reflect on the first anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine and we discuss what to expect in the months ahead.  You can also visit Dr Kuzio’s website here: http://www.betweeneuropeandrussia.com/ You can connect with Dr.Kuzio on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TarasKuzio For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You can buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Connect with us on social media  TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies  FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies  SPOUTIBLE https:

On todays Super Bowl Special, we are joined by author Kevin Bryant to discuss his book “Spies on the sidelines” which looks at espionage within the NFL.  Kevin’s book “Spies on the Sidelines” is available here: https://www.spiesonthesidelines.com/  Connect with Kevin via social media: Facebook: @kevinbryant.author  Instagram: @kevinbryant.author  Twitter: @kevbryantauthor  Linkedin: @kevinbryantauthor Music on this podcast is provided by Andrew R. Bird (Andy Bird) You can check out his work here: https://soundcloud.com/andrewbirduk For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/  Secrets and Spies is part of the Spy Podcast Network. Check out our other excellent spy-related podcasts here: https://www.spypodcasts.com/  You can support Secrets and Spies in a few ways:    * Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg * Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies * You