Best Covert Operations Podcasts (2025)

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OPERATION FOX HUNT AND CHINA 6:47

3d ago6:47

6:47

By Circle Of Insight Productions

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S9 Ep44: Is Peace Possible for Ukraine? with Dr. Taras Kuzio 59:12

23h ago59:12

59:12

This week, Chris is joined by Dr. Taras Kuzio for an on-the-ground look at Ukraine’s evolving war effort and the political battle over peace negotiations. Dr. Kuzio discusses daily life in Kyiv amid ongoing conflict, growing anger toward the Trump administration’s approach, and why Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine risks emboldening Russia and d…

1
Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship 40:43

2d ago40:43

40:43

The United States and Ukraine have had a long, complicated history that has been defined by just as much partnership and collaboration as hesitation and disagreement. This dynamic is laid bare in the 7-part podcast series ‘Escalation,’ produced by our partners at Goat Rodeo, with the national security publication Lawfare. In April 2025, The Interna…

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Shaun Walker, "The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West" (Knopf, 2025) 1:00:13

2d ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Shaun Walker, The Illegals (Knopf, 2025) is the definitive history of Russia’s most secret spy program, from the earliest days of the Soviet Union to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and a revelatory examination of how that hidden history shaped both Russia and the West. More than a century ago, the new Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizen…

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Financial Crimes Expert Discusses China 1:25:51

3d ago1:25:51

1:25:51

A financial investigator for Federal law enforcement, David Asher is an expert in the financial side of organized criminal activities. He has been working for decades 'finding the money' to help build cases against some of the most notorious criminal organizations, (including the Gambino crime family) terrorists, and China. In this episode, David l…

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Islam is incompatible with the West 48:36

4d ago48:36

48:36

Raymond Ibrahim, an American author of Coptic Egyptian descent, runs a YouTube channel called, um, Raymond Ibrahim, and writes books exploring the conflict between Islam, Christianity, and the West. He strongly rejects the idea that Islam is peaceful. As I write, I’ve hosted nearly a thousand podcast episodes, and this is my first focused on Islam.…

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S9 Ep43: Espresso Martini | Hegseth on the Ropes, Putin’s Diplomat Spy, and Listener Questions 1:20:06

5d ago1:20:06

1:20:06

This week, Chris and Matt unpack the deepening chaos at the Pentagon as Pete Hegseth’s tenure as secretary of defense continues to spiral. From more leaked strike plans on Signal to staff purges and his wife sitting in on sensitive meetings, the dysfunction is reaching new lows. Then, a little-known Russian spymaster emerges as a key player in Ukra…

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Cyber Espionage Targets Diplomats. Mossad's Illegal Operations. 29:28

6d ago29:28

29:28

Send us a text 🔥 Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up | April 25, 2025 Mossad vs. Netanyahu 🇮🇱 | ISIS in Australia 🇦🇺 | Parcel Bomb in the UK 🇬🇧 | Kashmir Attack 🇮🇳 | Cyber Espionage 🔐 | Signal Leak in U.S. 🇺🇸 | Canada Election Interference 🇨🇦 In this week’s Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up, Neil Bisson—Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge…

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The Venlo Incident | When Spy Games Go Horribly Wrong 22:08

6d ago22:08

22:08

Ways to support the podcast:Buy Me a Coffee: ☕ https://bmc.link/philipthompsonDonate via PayPal: 💸 paypal.me/PhilipT284While the successes of the British Secret Intelligence Service, or SIS, are held in great admiration, its failures are often overlooked. For reasons of national pride, these are relegated to the archives of memory and are seldom po…

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S9 Ep42: Russia’s Shadow War Against NATO with Florian Flade 1:12:27

8d ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Chris welcomes back national security journalist Florian Flade to unpack Russia’s shadow war against NATO. They examine Moscow’s escalating hybrid attacks across Europe—from sabotage and arson to drone incursions and attempted assassinations—and how Russia recruits low-level agents via Telegram and even AI-driven chatbots. Florian details arson plo…

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Brian Masaru Hayashi, "Asian American Spies: How Asian Americans Helped Win the Allied Victory" (Oxford UP, 2021) 1:11:58

8d ago1:11:58

1:11:58

Spies deep behind enemy lines; double agents; a Chinese American James Bond; black propaganda radio broadcasters; guerrilla fighters; pirates; smugglers; prostitutes and dancers as spies; and Asian Americans collaborating with Axis Powers. All these colorful individuals form the story of Asian Americans in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), th…

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Hear his story of drug trafficking, prison, and HIV 56:25

9d ago56:25

56:25

Evert ‘Eddie’ Smallegange shared his riches-to-rags story, including his HIV-positive diagnosis and why he believes it's fear porn. My conversation with Eddie is based on his book, Fast Women Slow Horses, which is a metaphor for the destructive allure of reckless pleasures and poor choices that lead to ruin. He openly shares how addiction shaped hi…

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Where the ‘West V. Russia’ Plot Begins 34:17

9d ago34:17

34:17

Why does Vladimir Putin often say that the West is conspiring to weaken Russia? Historian James Crossland traces this narrative back to a British intelligence officer and a failed assassination attempt on Vladimir Lenin in 1918. The story is featured in his new book, Rogue Agent, from Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Rober…

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UK Journalist Covers War In Ukraine 1:12:08

10d ago1:12:08

1:12:08

Shetland, Scotland native and independent journalist Jen Stout was in Russia in late February 2022 when the war with Ukraine broke out and quickly left for a border post in southern Romania to cover the great flood of refugees who were fleeing the fighting. Weeks later she entered Ukraine to report first-hand from the front lines and cities across …

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Paul M. McGarr, "Spying in South Asia: Britain, the United States, and India's Secret Cold War" (Cambridge UP, 2024) 1:05:30

11d ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Spying in South Asia: Britain, the United States, and India's Secret Cold War (Cambridge UP, 2024) is the first comprehensive history of India's secret Cold War. It examines interventions made by the intelligence and security services of Britain and the United States in post-colonial India and their strategic, political, and socio-cultural impact o…

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S9 Ep41: Body Language and Lie Detection with Gavin Stone 1:01:35

12d ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Chris sits down with Gavin Stone—former covert operative, body language expert, and best-selling author—to explore the subtle science of reading people. They delve into the art of lie detection, psychological manipulation, and the power of nonverbal cues in high-risk environments. Drawing on two decades of frontline HUMINT experience, Gavin shares …

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Alexander Litvinenko | The Slow, Painful Death of a Russian Spy 37:48

13d ago37:48

37:48

Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee: ☕ https://bmc.link/philipthompsonDonate via PayPal: 💸 paypal.me/PhilipT284____________________________________________________________ On a gray November afternoon in 2006, within the refined confines of London's Millennium Hotel, a seemingly unremarkable ritual unfolded - three men gathered for tea in …

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Stop believing silly propaganda about China 1:08:51

14d ago1:08:51

1:08:51

There’s a strange hatred of all things China in the West—it’s time to debunk outdated myths and find out what's true. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had several conversations about China, exploring why much of what we believe is either fabricated or completely false. For example, Chinese people are oppressed China has a social credit score The…

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Geoengineering and the plot to control humankind 1:01:10

15d ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Elena Freeland argues that powerful elites manipulate our environment to create a subservient, transhumanist society. Until recently, nobody I know believed geoengineering is real. Well, it is. It’s even acknowledged by the UN and its climate change arm, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Elana is an Americn writer, teacher, and …

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S9 Ep40: God’s Banker, His Death Beneath a London Bridge, and the Vatican’s Cold War Secrets with Nicolo Majnoni 54:08

15d ago54:08

54:08

This week, Matt speaks with Nicolo Majnoni, host of Shadow Kingdom, a gripping new investigative podcast from Crooked Media and Campside Media. The first season explores the mysterious June 1982 death of Roberto Calvi—known as “God’s Banker”—and his ties to the Vatican, organized crime, and secret societies at the height of Italy’s Cold War turmoil…

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DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose 33:22

16d ago33:22

33:22

Government employees were dismissed with startling swiftness and sweeping in the midst of the Trump administration's relentless pursuit to pare down the federal workforce. The sheer number of fired personnel and the manner in which US officials let them go have led to concerns that disillusioned former employees may share what they know with foreig…

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UK Combat Medic's Report From Gaza 2024 1:16:39

17d ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Former SAS medical officer and current war surgeon, Richard Villar, volunteered to provide medical support in Gaza during the 2024 invasion following the October 7 Hamas attack. He found himself working in a 200-bed hospital overrun with 700 patients, many of whom were women and children The hospital was under constant threat from drones, missiles …

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S9 Ep39: Espresso Martini | Trump’s Special Economic Operation, NSA Purge, and the FBI in Turmoil 1:01:28

19d ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Chris and Matt unpack the surreal ousting of top U.S. national security officials after far-right influencer Laura Loomer walked into the Oval Office with a hit list. They assess the fallout for cyber defenses, the politicization of the FBI, and the broader dismantling of U.S. institutions under Trump’s second term. Then, they turn to Trump’s sweep…

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Who are the Black Nobility and why do they matter? 51:07

19d ago51:07

51:07

➡️ This episode was recorded in 2024. The most powerful people in the world come from a few bloodlines you've likely never heard of. Frances Leader runs a Substack called Uncensored and is one of the most knowledgeable individuals I’ve come across, as far as the subject of Black Nobility is concerned. In short, the Black Nobility is a cabal of ruth…

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META Compromises US National Security? Canadian Campaign Plagued with Foreign Interference. 25:18

20d ago25:18

25:18

Send us a text 🎙️ META Compromises U.S. National Security? Canadian Election Infiltrated? Russia Sabotages Europe? Welcome to this week’s Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up—where espionage, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and foreign interference collide in a whirlwind of global intrigue. 💥 Join Neil Bisson, Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge N…

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Operation Mincemeat | The Espionage Masterstroke that Turned the Tide of War 19:18

20d ago19:18

19:18

Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee: ☕ https://bmc.link/philipthompson Donate via PayPal: 💸 paypal.me/PhilipT284 In the shadowy world of espionage, secrets are currency, and deception is an art. As World War 2 raged on, the Allies became ever more aware of the truth of this statement. Having dealt with the Nazi threat in North Africa, the …

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Why does everything around us seem upside down? 56:02

20d ago56:02

56:02

➡️ This episode was recorded in July 2024. Mark Gober argues that reality is inverted, from the cosmos to medicine to social movements to aliens to liberty to daily life. He is an author and speaker who explores consciousness, science, and metaphysics, challenging materialist worldviews. 📺 Watch video episode ⚠️ Become a Maverick…

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S3: Impactful & Purposeful Conversations with Suzanne Hayes-Jones 59:08

21d ago59:08

59:08

In this bonus episode of Building Better Leaders Season 3 we speak to Suzanne Hayes Jones, from the Laid Bare Company - an organisation focused on helping leaders have more impactful, purposeful conversations. Suzanne has extensive experience in coaching, coach development, and organisational culture transformation. She also contributes to the lead…

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S9 Ep38: Photographing Area 51 with Michał Rokita 1:00:05

22d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Photographer and field researcher Michał Rokita joins Matt to discuss his rare and meticulous efforts to document one of the world’s most secretive military sites: Area 51. From hiking remote peaks in the Nevada desert to capturing panoramic images from over 20 miles away, Michał shares what it takes to legally photograph Groom Lake from public lan…

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Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations 32:11

23d ago32:11

32:11

It's no secret that China has recently stepped up political and military pressure on the democratically governed island of Taiwan. But then, there are the Chinese Communist Party's covert efforts: Recruiting from the inside, gathering intelligence, and exerting influence. Executive Director of the Global Taiwan Institute Russell Hsiao breaks down B…

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Paddy Walker, "War Without Oversight: Why We Need Humans on the Battlefield" (Howgate, 2025) 1:36:29

24d ago1:36:29

1:36:29

Amid the fanfare around AI and autonomous weapons, decision-makers - both military and political - are imagining an augmented future for warfare that minimises human influence and connection. But in their rush for speed and lethality, leaders have failed to understand the behavioural and technical challenges that accompany these new weapon types, a…

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The Facts About Tren De Aragua With Gary Berntsen 39:04

24d ago39:04

39:04

Past guest and highly decorated former CIA operations officer Gary Berntsen is back and he's breaking down the facts about Tren De Aragua--the notorious gang of trained criminals at the heart of the illegal immigrant debate. Gary explains how he and his colleagues gathered intel about Tren De Aragua as part of their investigations into the Cartel D…

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S9 Ep37: Espresso Martini | Signalgate with Shane Harris, Boeing’s F-47, and Remembering Oleg Gordievsky 1:34:09

26d ago1:34:09

1:34:09

The Atlantic’s Shane Harris joins Chris and Matt to unpack Signalgate, the extraordinary national security scandal where top Trump officials coordinated airstrikes over Signal and accidentally included a journalist in the group chat. They discuss the operational fallout, legal implications, and the strain on Five Eyes allies. Then, they dive into t…

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Waltham Watch Co. | Corporate Espionage That Brought Down an American Giant 25:37

27d ago25:37

25:37

Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee: ☕ https://bmc.link/philipthompson Donate via PayPal: 💸 paypal.me/PhilipT284 This is the story of the rise and fall of the Waltham Watch Company, a pioneer in American and global watchmaking, which, Aaron Stark reveals, saw it's undoing at the hands of a corporate spy on a top secret mission during the 1…

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Canadian Neo-Nazi Convicted. Trump Tells NSC Officials "You're Fired!" 23:05

27d ago23:05

23:05

Send us a text 🌍 Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up (April 4, 2025) | Espionage, Diplomatic Tensions & Security Shake-Ups Welcome to Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up, where we analyze the most pressing intelligence and national security stories shaping the world. With over 25 years of experience in intelligence and law enforcement, Neil Bisson—Di…

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Atiya Husain, "No God But Man: On Race, Knowledge, and Terrorism" (Duke UP, 2025) 1:09:08

27d ago1:09:08

1:09:08

Atiya Husain’s No God but Man: On Race, Knowledge and Terrorism (Duke University Press, 2025) uses the FBI Most Wanted lists to rethink theoretical relationships between race and Islam in the United States. Husain traces the genealogy of wanted posters and how theories of the “average man” informs the use of photographs and its accompanying descrip…

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S9 Ep36: Sell Like a Spy: What Business Can Learn from Intelligence Officers with Jeremy Hurewitz 51:22

29d ago51:22

51:22

What can business leaders learn from spies? In this episode, Chris speaks with Jeremy Hurewitz, author of Sell Like a Spy, to explore how intelligence officers build trust, read people, and influence outcomes. Drawing on years spent working alongside former CIA, FBI, and military professionals in the world of corporate security, Jeremy shares real-…

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Introducing Targeted 33:15

29d ago33:15

33:15

Targeted uncovers harrowing stories of people who have been singled out and systematically dismantled—whether for political reasons, personal vendettas, or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Each episode deep dives into the tactics used against someone, the devastating consequences, and the remarkable lessons they’ve learned in …

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Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases 31:43

1M ago31:43

31:43

Nicholas Eftimiades’ 34 year career in government spanned the CIA, State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He's published three books that examine the structure, methodology and operations of China's intelligence services. This, he says, led a Chinese communist newspaper to declare him an enemy of the state in the ‘90s. Now, Nick is r…

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Covert Operations Podcasts

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