Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence - S8 Ep36: Espresso Martini: Putin exploits ISIS-K attack, House Republicans hold up US aid to Ukraine, and new Havana Syndrome information.

S8 Ep36: Espresso Martini: Putin exploits ISIS-K attack, House Republicans hold up US aid to Ukraine, and new Havana Syndrome information.

Explicit content warning

04/13/24 • 66 min

1 Listener

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Current Affairs | Geopolitics | Intelligence

On today’s episode, we are going to look at Putin exploiting the ISIS-K attack for his war on Ukraine, House Republicans holding up US aid to Ukraine, and we will wrap up looking at new revelations on Havana Syndrome.
Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot”. On that we will look at Chinese Disinformation efforts targeting the US elections, a Chinese Drone flying over the Sea of Japan, the results of a recent survey that suggests some US gun owners would engage in political violence, and we wrap up looking at Hollywood’s depiction of espionage in Film & TV.
You will need to be a Patreon subscriber to get access to Extra Shot. Click here to subscribe and listen to Extra Shot: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-13-04-102258042?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Articles discussed:
https://cepa.org/article/moscow-terror-attack-a-lie-too-good-to-waste/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/01/us/politics/mike-johnson-ukraine-aid.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/08/mike-johnson-ukraine-aid-congress-republicans
https://theins.ru/en/politics/270425
Support Secrets and Spies:
Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u
Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg
For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/
Connect with us on social media.
BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social
TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies
FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/
SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Previous Episode

S8 Ep35: Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu imprisoned in Azerbaijan

On today’s podcast, we are joined by Ibad Bayramov, and we discuss the imprisonment of his father, Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, in Azerbaijan.
Dr Ibadoghlu is an economics professor who was a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a leading figure in the opposition in Azerbaijan. In July 2023, he was arrested and held by Azerbaijan authorities while visiting family. He is facing up to 12 years in prison for the production, acquisition, or sale of counterfeit money by an organised group and allegedly possessing extremist material—charges he denies.
Find out more about Dr Ibadoghlu at the Gubad Files Website: https://thegubadfiles.com/
You can connect with and follow Ibad here: https://twitter.com/BayramovIbad
Ibad’s sister Zhala is also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayramovaZhala
You can contact Politicians via the links below:
Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Contact your MP: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/
You can read more on some of the topics Ibad mentions about the political situation in Azerbaijan
Detention of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61412/detention-of-dr-gubad-ibadoghlu-in-azerbaijan
https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/the-struggle-for-freedom-an-azerbaijani-economist-who-stands-up-to-aliyevs-kleptocracy
Concerns about Dr Ibadoghlu’s health
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/health-of-lse-academic-detained-in-azerbaijan-at-risk-say-family
US could do more to help Dr Ibadoghlu
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/11/united-states-must-do-more-help-gubad-ibadoghlu/
Doubt about the validity of Azerbaijan’s elections
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68237326
Caviar diplomacy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar_diplomacy
Pandora Papers
https://www.rferl.org/a/pandora-papers-tax-havens/31490744.html
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/queen-crown-estate-bought-property-family-azerbaijan-ruler
Azerbaijani Laundromat
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/04/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-azerbaijani-laundromat
Azerbaijan adopt harsh tactics against the opposition
https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijani-government-adopts-still-harsher-tactics-against-opposition
Human Rights report on Azerbaijan - Torture and Ill-Treatment in Detention
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/azerbaijan
BP and Azerbijan
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/08/bp-projects-have-helped-fund-azerbaijan-military-aggession-say-campaigners
UK Gov Risk Guidance on doing business in Azerbaijan
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-azerbaijan/overseas-business-risk-azerbaijan
Support Secrets and Spies:
Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u
Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www...

Next Episode

S8 Ep37: Former US Navy Captain Gene Moran on the Houthi threat in the Red Sea

On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by Former US Navy Destroyer Captain Gene Moran to discuss the Houthi Threat in the Red Sea. In this episode, they look at the background of the Houthis, the threat that they pose, and how the US Navy and its allies are dealing with that threat. They then discuss life on a ship during a time of conflict and finish up with Gene explaining what more he thinks could be done to counter this threat.
You can find out more about Gene and his work here:
https://www.genemoran.com/
You can connect with Gene on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/genemoran
Check out Gene’s books on his Amazon page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gene-Moran/author/B07YW9RLMD?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Support Secrets and Spies:
Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u
Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg
For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/
Connect with us on social media.
BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social
TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies
FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/
SPOUTIBLE https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies