Best Diplomatic Security Service Podcasts (2025)

1
110: Protests Against Removal of Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies 1:21:50

7d ago1:21:50

1:21:50

In this episode... 02:25 - Battlefield Updates - Battle of Pokrovsk entering critical phase 11:12 - Assassination in Ukraine tied to American neo-Nazis 18:42 - New report on the Olenivka massacre 20:56 - Crimean Tatar arrested in France on behalf of Russia 24:50 - The US might be returning to aid for Ukraine, though with a lot of caveats 36:38 - Be…

1
Does the Trump Administration Have an Indo-Pacific Security Strategy? 48:26

8d ago48:26

48:26

Tensions in the Indo-Pacific are testing US power and alliances. What does this mean for regional strategy and for the UK? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by Dr. Kori Schake, senior fellow and the director of foreign and defence policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and Dr Philip Shetler-Jones,…

1
Have the Recent Conflicts Transformed the Middle East? 55:49

22d ago55:49

55:49

Open warfare has crossed the Middle East, and in its wake came an erosion of the norms of statesmanship and the power of international law to avert conflict. What are the implications for deterrence, diplomacy, and the future of UK, US, and regional strategy? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by RUSI experts Bu…

1
109: What is the problem with Hungary? 1:25:55

26d ago1:25:55

1:25:55

Hungary has become both a thorn in the side of Ukraine and a key part of an international conservative project. In this episode, we delve into the history of this arrangement and the political theory behind Orbanism and its enmity with the Open Society. 00:01:05 - Hungarian History 101 00:09:07 - George Soros and the Open Society 00:25:17 - The pol…

1
How Should the UK Approach European Security? 48:17

1M ago48:17

48:17

How is the UK's Labour government approaching European security, and how does this compare to the Conservatives? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by Professor Richard Whitman to examine how much has changed since Labour came to power. The UK is currently setting a path to navigate an uncertain world in a serie…

1
DSS After Action: Solving a Cold-case Murder 22:16

1M ago22:16

22:16

In this episode of After Action, we delve into an extraordinary true story of a capital murder suspect who eluded authorities for an astonishing 34 years. Living under a meticulously crafted false identity, this fugitive navigated life in the shadows, seemingly beyond the reach of justice. Join us as a retired Diplomatic Security Service Special Ag…

1
108: Operation Spiderweb Shows Reforms in Security Services 1:11:16

1M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

In this episode... 03:22 - Updates from summer in Kyiv 08:06 - Developments in Russia's summer offensive 16:40 - Latest attacks on Kyiv show increased use of drones 24:05 - Prisoner exchanges show new Russian crimes 28:40 - Reforms to allow multiple citizenships in Ukraine 34:25 - Mixed signals before next NATO summit 37:10 - Operation Spiderweb de…

1
Can Russia-Ukraine Negotiations to End the War Succeed? 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

Is there a real near-term prospect of an end of Russia's war against Ukraine? RUSI experts explain four and a half months of the Trump Administration's approach to the war. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by Professor Samuel Greene, who teaches Russian politics at King's College and is a senior fellow at the …

1
107: 80 Years Since World War 2 44:56

2M ago44:56

44:56

Eighty years after the end of World War II, we can reflect on how we continue to make the same mistakes. And how the ways we choose to remember it are always reflections of how we see ourselves in the present, for good or bad. Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Romeo: @VagrantJourno Ukraine Without Hype: @HypeUkraine Other Social Media http://youtube.com/@…

1
Can Illiberal Peace Bring Stability to the Middle East? 48:23

2M ago48:23

48:23

Can Peace Without Democracy Work? RUSI experts discuss the rise of illiberal peacebuilding in the Middle East and what it means for UK foreign policy. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by RUSI Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security Dr. Burcu Ozcelik, Dr Claire Smith, Deputy Associate Dean for the Facul…

1
DSS After Action: Exposing Foreign Intelligence Operations 53:31

2M ago53:31

53:31

Join us for the Season 3 premiere of After Action. Retired DSS Special Agent Robert Booth shares incredible stories including how we identified insider threat Kendall Myers, discovered a sophisticated Russian listening device planted inside the U.S. State Department, and more. This episode takes you behind the scenes, revealing how the Diplomatic S…

1
106: Diplomatic Theater in Turkey and Russia Repelled from Romania 1:03:11

2M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In this episode... 02:29 - The Russian Spring Offensive is showing its new priorities 10:05 - Zelensky goes to Turkey for Russia to put on a production of diplomatic theater 24:16 - Pope Leo XIV showing himself to be a friend of Ukraine 30:06 - US Ambassador to Ukraine resigns in protest over Trump policy 34:03 - Orban government in Hungary grows i…

1
The Rise of a Fragmented and Contested World 40:05

3M ago40:05

40:05

GSB turns 100: RUSI experts look back on key security shifts and explore what’s next for the UK in a rapidly changing global landscape. In this special 100th episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by the RUSI International Security team to reflect on how global security has evolved since the podcast’s launch in 2021. Record…

1
105: The Competing "Peace Plans" 1:07:32

3M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

In this episode... 02:55 - Getting ready for the Spring offensives 10:00 - A string of devastating Russian missile strikes, especially in Sumy and Kyiv 15:46 - Along with a prisoner exchange, Russia also returns the tortured remains of the Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna 18:51 - Chinese volunteers fighting for Russia, but so was the son of …

1
Can Europe Rearm – and Might this be in Time? 59:41

3M ago59:41

59:41

As Europe races to rearm, can it do so fast enough to deter looming threats? We explore this question with Shashank Joshi and Dr. Daniel Fiott. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin is joined by Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, and Dr. Daniel Fiott, Head of the Defence and Statecraft Programme at the Centre f…

1
Can Taiwan Resist China’s Campaign of Grey Zone Coercion? 49:52

4M ago49:52

49:52

As China increases its ‘grey zone’ pressure, can Taiwan defend its sovereignty without sparking open conflict? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin speaks with Dr. Philip Shetler-Jones, RUSI Senior Research Fellow for Indo-Pacific Security, Sze-Fung Lee an independent researcher specialising in Chinese hybrid warfare, and D…

1
104: There Was No Ceasefire 1:20:00

4M ago1:20:00

1:20:00

In this episode... 00:03:35 - Combat Update: Ukrainian withdrawal in Kusk, current Russian offensive over 00:14:05 - Weeks-long Russian missile and drone barrage hits close to home 00:21:15 - Every ceasefire talk you have been hearing about has been complete bunk 00:37:58 - Russia plans expulsion of Ukrainians from occupied territory 00:43:07 - Tru…

1
The Future of Transatlantic Security 47:00

4M ago47:00

47:00

How have the initial weeks of President Trump's second term of office impacted the transatlantic relationship, and will it survive his administration? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin speaks with Dr Liana Fix from the Council on Foreign Relations to explore the evolving transatlantic alliance. With growing security chal…

1
Security Trends and the Role of Think Tanks, With Rachel Ellehuus 46:52

5M ago46:52

46:52

How is the global security landscape evolving, and what role can think tanks play in shaping the debate? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin sits down with Rachel Ellehuus, RUSI's new Director-General, to explore the major security and defence challenges facing Europe, the transatlantic alliance and the wider international…

1
103: Trump Backstabs Ukraine 1:00:37

5M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

In this episode... 01:10 - The infamous meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vance 12:37 - Europe forced to set its own path without America 21:54 - Officials try to patch the US-Ukraine relationship, but Trump will not have it 25:25 - The US ends military aid to Ukraine 32:02 - And also intelligence sharing 41:37 - The US is dropping every defens…

1
Japan’s Defence Industry Revival 40:24

5M ago40:24

40:24

Is Japan’s evolving national security profile altering its role in global security? Prof. Chris Hughes & Hirohito Ogi discuss this strategic shift. Japan is undergoing a major transformation in its defence policy, expanding its industrial base and forging new international partnerships. What are the strategic drivers behind this shift, and how will…

1
102: The First Month of Trump and Ukraine 1:25:32

5M ago1:25:32

1:25:32

Within only a month, the second Trump administration has embarked on an aggressive campaign to remake the shape of both the American political system, and the global one. Both for the worse. This episode is a soft launch of a new project on American news: Radio Free America. 00:02:12 - Ending foreign aid 00:09:43 - Dismantling the federal governmen…

1
101: All the News That Isn't Trump 1:10:58

6M ago1:10:58

1:10:58

In this episode, we avoid the elephant in the room to discuss everything else... 00:00:20 - Announcements 00:03:02 - Combat Updates for the last month+ 00:13:48 - Russia missile strikes, including on downtown Odesa and an old workplace of mine 00:19:05 - Assassinations and attempts 00:21:39 - Mobilization scandals, how to fix them, and how Russia i…

1
New ‘Great Power’ Competition in the Middle East 50:26

6M ago50:26

50:26

Shifting alliances and global power struggles are redefining the Middle East's future. Neil Melvin, Burcu Ozcelik and Michael Stephens explore who will ultimately hold the power. This episode dives into the evolving power dynamics of the Middle East in the wake of war and regional instability. As global and regional players – from the US and China …

1
New Year Special Part Two: The Indo-Pacific and Latin America 48:44

6M ago48:44

48:44

As 2025 gathers pace, we reflect on security challenges from the previous year and look at what to expect in the coming months. What was foreseen and what was unexpected in last year’s global security developments? And how have security events altered the trajectory of various regions? In the second episode of this two-part special, host Neil Melvi…

1
Episode 100: New Year, New Hundred 1:19:40

6M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Our 100th Episode. A big milestone for us. We are grateful to all of our listeners who followed us on our journey here. Our anniversary episode is doubling up as the New Year Episode, welcoming 2025 as we look back on 2024. 00:01:11 - Checking in on the hosts 00:04:11 - The State of the Podcast 00:15:14 - 2024 Year in Review 00:45:45 - The big them…

1
New Year Special Part One: Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East 48:19

7M ago48:19

48:19

At the start of 2025, we reflect on security challenges from the previous year and look at what to expect in the coming months. The past year registered many landmark events in global security. But what was foreseen, and what was unexpected? And how have security events altered the trajectory of various regions? In the first episode of this two-par…

1
99: Ukrainian History 101 1:56:49

7M ago1:56:49

1:56:49

History has been used and misused in many ways as part of the Russo-Ukraine War. Russia has justified its aggression through bizarre appeals to medieval Princes. Ukrainian units name themselves for Scythians and Cossacks. We run through an overview of Ukrainian history and pre-history. 00:02:40 - The Proto-Indo-Europeans through the Greeks 00:17:24…

1
98: Russia's Conspiracy Theory General 1:29:42

7M ago1:29:42

1:29:42

In this episode... 00:01:24 - Combat Update 00:08:27 - Ukraine does two high-profile assassinations of Russian officers. The Jailor of Olenivka and the General of Conspiracy Theorists 00:21:19 - Russian shipwrecks show the dangers of their off-the-books "shadow fleet" 00:27:39 - US pressures Ukraine to lower mobilization age, which Ukraine rejects …

1
Is Stability in the Middle East Possible? 54:52

8M ago54:52

54:52

Following the fall of the Assad regime, what comes next for Syria and the future of the region? The Middle East is experiencing significant challenges and transitions as 2024 draws to a close. The war between Israel and Hamas continues to dominate regional dynamics, with Gaza suffering a severe humanitarian crisis. Efforts towards a ceasefire are o…

1
97: The Georgian Euromaidan Begins 1:05:27

8M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode... 01:41 - I guess we have to talk about Joe Rogan 12:51 - Combat updates 18:21 - Russia does yet another nuclear bluff 26:08 - Trying to work around the Trump "peace plan" 31:27 - Romania coming close to electing a Russia-backed conspiracy theorist blowhard for President. 38:44 - Georgian government cracks down on ever-growing prot…

1
The Imminent End of the Ukraine War? 49:11

8M ago49:11

49:11

Following Donald Trump’s election victory, we ask if this could be the beginning of the end of the fighting in Ukraine. President-elect Trump has famously claimed he can end the Ukraine war in a day. While there is skepticism about this claim, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently indicated that Russia’s war in Ukraine will end ‘faste…

1
96: The Election of Donald Trump and Ukraine 1:02:28

9M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States puts Ukraine in an extremely perilous position as members of the incoming administration have threatened to cut off aid. We ask: 01:06 - What were the Election results? 05:31 - How can we analyze the election? 21:20 - Who are the initial Trump appointments and what do they mean for Ukra…

1
North Korea’s Emergence as an International Security Actor 45:40

9M ago45:40

45:40

As Russia turns to Pyongyang for reinforcements against Ukraine, we explore the events that have shaped North Korea as a security actor. Following the stalling of the ‘Six Party’ talks about North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme in 2008, the country attracted little international attention until 2019 and Donald Trump’s ultimately fruitless attemp…

1
A New World Disorder? From the BRICS to the G20 51:56

9M ago51:56

51:56

The world order is being challenged by new organisations and initiatives designed to sideline existing Western-led institutions. The latest summit of the group of states known collectively as the BRICS is a case in point. Originally involving Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later, the group has now expanded to bring in ne…

1
95: The October News Roundup 1:15:46

9M ago1:15:46

1:15:46

In this episode... 00:01:25 - Announcements 00:08:36 - The release of Maxim Butkevych and the murder of Victoria Roshchyna 00:14:21 - Combat Update: Tough situation in southern Donetsk Oblast and near Kupyansk 00:23:37 - The assassination of a Russian war criminal 00:25:34 - The "Kherson Safari" 00:31:19 - Russia poisoned the Desna River 00:34:58 -…

1
Waiting for Escalation: Where is the Middle East Crisis Heading? 54:19

10M ago54:19

54:19

One year on from Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel, we look at the current state of the conflict in the Middle East and its future trajectory. Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks on 7 October. There are still no indications of how and under what conditions the war will end. To the contrary, all indications are th…

1
Can Japan Deliver on its Defence Reforms? 46:56

10M ago46:56

46:56

Two years on, how has Japan progressed with its planned national security reforms, and how is it adapting to regional security challenges? In December 2022, Japan announced plans to almost double its defence budget and acquire a new set of strike capabilities. The context for that decision was a sense of rising danger and a need to be prepared to a…

1
94: Russia's Nuclear Bluster 44:21

10M ago44:21

44:21

In this episode... 02:40 - Update on combat situation and Russian long-range strikes on Sumy and Izmail. 08:36 - Putin loosens Russian nuclear first-strike policy, but it is really all bluster meant for propaganda purposes 24:34 - The crew of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is being sent to storm units 28:35 - President Zelesnky thanks Ameri…

1
Chasing the Chelsea Bomber 40:04

10M ago40:04

40:04

Just as New York City was gearing up for the annual UN General Assembly in 2016, an individual inspired by ISIS threatened the safety of the city. When the bomber’s first explosive detonated in the Chelsea district of New York, a DSS special agent leapt into action, gathering evidence that would eventually lead to the identity and capture of the Ch…

1
How are the Crises in the Middle East Reshaping the Region? 54:37

10M ago54:37

54:37

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, we launch a new mini-series dedicated to understanding the dynamics shaping the region. We are launching a regular new series of episodes of Global Security Briefing designed to foster a better understanding of the current situation in the region, entitled ‘The Middle East in Crisis’, which aims to r…

1
93: Supporting Education in Wartime w/ Yasmine Sherif 57:44

10M ago57:44

57:44

In this episode... 01:18 - Brief Combat Update 04:59 - Ukraine destroys large Russian arms depot in Tver region 08:45 - Further information about the extensive Russian misinformation campaign across many countries 14:21 - Russia attempts a coup in Armenia 16:08 - The Georgian government slips further into the Russian sphere with anti-LGBT law and a…

1
92: A Misinformation-Rich Environment 59:34

11M ago59:34

59:34

In this episode... 1:03 - Announcement: Cash program by the Norwegian Refugee Council 2:23 - Obituaries for Journalist David Knowles and ZSU soldier Matityahu Samborsky, son of Ukrainian Chief Rabbi 4:23 - Combat Update: Dynamic situation on multiple parts of the front line from Kursk to Vuhledar 9:48 - Russians continue a protracted series of miss…

1
How Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Changed the War in Russia 55:51

11M ago55:51

55:51

In this edition, we will be returning to Russia’s war against Ukraine as both sides increasingly look towards another winter of fighting. Since the autumn/winter of last year, there have been further swings in the war as Russia launched a long offensive and Ukraine suffered a lack of weapons due to political deadlock in the US Congress and a shorta…

1
91: The Anatomy of Misinformation 1:37:22

11M ago1:37:22

1:37:22

In this episode... 00:00:29 - Russia launches another massive missile strike targetting civilians, energy infrastructure, and journalists 00:07:16 - Russia systemically destroys the physical heritage of Huliaipole, the center of the Civil War-era Free Territory of Nestor Makhno 00:14:32 - Battlefield Update 00:19:19 - Misinformation Case Study: Ima…

1
90: The Kursk Occupation Authority 1:11:35

11M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

In this episode... 00:01:16 - Ukraine Rugby 7s tournament 5:04 - The ongoing Battle for Pokrovsk, evacuations underway 13:23 - The murder of New York 20:09.993 - Ukraine establishes an occupation authority for Russia's Kursk region 38:41.083 - An update on the Nordstream sabotage investigation 58:27.513 - Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute 1:00:32.8…

1
How is NATO Approaching China’s Security Challenge? 46:52

11M ago46:52

46:52

This episode of Global Security Briefing explores NATO's interest in China and the Indo-Pacific amid ongoing security challenges in Europe. At last month’s NATO summit in Washington, DC, China was identified as a ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia’s war against Ukraine. It was also noted that China ‘continues to pose systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic …

1
89: Ukraine's Invasion of Russia 56:47

12M ago56:47

56:47

In this episode... 03:18 - Ukraine has carried out numerous strikes and special forces raids on Russian defense infrastructure 8:34 - On August 6, Ukraine launched an invasion of the Kursk region of Russia and has made continuous progress ever since. 19:02 - We analyze some questions raised by the invasion, such as the lack of organizing by local R…

1
Will the Labour Government Seek A New Approach to the Middle East? 52:18

12M ago52:18

52:18

Concluding our series on how the UK’s new Labour government is approaching key foreign policy questions, we turn to the Middle East. It is in the Middle East that Labour’s ‘progressive realist’ foreign policy will be most tested – especially in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Signalling the importance of the Middle East to the new gov…

1
88: Exchange Frees Russian Political Prisoners 58:16

12M ago58:16

58:16

In this episode... 01:11 - A prisoner swap between the US and Russia trades political prisoners in Russian cells for Russian spies and assassins. 22:14 - Battlefield Update: Deterioration of the Pokrovks front 25:17 - Ukraine might have maybe possibly aided in an ambush of Wagner forces in Mali. Allegedly. 29:30 - F16s finally arrive in Ukraine 32:…

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