Space, Defence, & Security podcast

In this episode, we delve into the evolving space policies of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, exploring each country's unique approach to the final frontier. As space technology accelerates and international space competition heats up, these countries are navigating challenges around commercial investment, environmental sustainability, security, and international collaboration. Join us as we examine the key policy initiatives shaping each nation’s space strategy—from Australia’s efforts to grow its commercial space sector to Canada’s commitment to peaceful space exploration and the UK’s ambitious regulatory reforms to become a leading space hub.

About the guest speaker

Marissa Martin is a PhD candidate at the Freeman Air and Space Institute and the Defence Studies Department, at King’s College London. Her research examines how middle powers and close allies respond to a shifting security environment, the changing character of conflict, and doubts about the United States' reliability, through the lens of their respective space policies. The project undertakes three comparative case studies– the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Marissa earned her MA in Security Policy Studies with a concentration in science and technology from George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, DC and her BA in International Relations from Florida International University in Miami, FL. She has previously worked as a Public Affairs Intern for US Embassy Bern and as a counterspace intern for the Secure World Foundation.

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In this episode, we dive deep into India's rapidly evolving military space capabilities and the critical policy, legal, and innovation-driven changes reshaping its trajectory. Join us as we discuss the strategic imperatives driving India's military space ambitions, the importance of robust policy frameworks, and the role of innovation in building a resilient space infrastructure.

About the guest speaker:

Ranjana’s practice areas include advising joint ventures and contracts, including company law, FDI, foreign exchange regulations, intellectual property rights and dispute resolution, across sectors. She specializes in the international law of outer space and advises on specific issues related to the interrelation between international regulations and Indian domestic policy and regulations, including on participation of non-government entities in outer space activities and relating to commercial satellite services including telecommunications and Earth Observation.

She litigates in the High Court of Delhi, the National Company Law Tribunal and Supreme Court of India, as well as conducts arbitration and conciliation proceedings. She has served as Counsel for the Union of India at the High Court of Delhi and Counsel for the State of Maharashtra in the Supreme Court of India. Ranjana specializes in air accident claims subject to personal international air law and relevant national law.

An affiliate of the International Institute of Space Law, Paris, Ranjana was awarded the IISL 2017 Distinguished Services Award for contribution to development of national space law. She serves on the Editorial Board of Room, The Space Journal.

Prior to joining Dua Associates, she was in private practice, and regularly assisted Government in legislative drafting. Ranjana also served as Member, Delhi State Commission for Women and has been a consultant to the World Bank and the Indian Council for Research in International Economic Relations.

She holds an LLM from the Institute of Air & Space Law, McGill University, Canada, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Delhi and Doctorate from the University of Poona.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

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In this episode, we dive into the shadowy world of counterintelligence and double agents—where betrayal, deception, and high-stakes espionage shape global security. Join us as we unravel the complex operations of double agents, their role in modern spycraft, and the constant tug-of-war between loyalty and treachery.

We’ll also explore a bold and surprising twist in the intelligence community: the CIA’s recent public outreach to recruit spies from rival nations like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. How does this shift from covert to open recruitment impact international espionage and geopolitical tensions? What motivates individuals to turn against their governments, and how do intelligence agencies manage these high-risk relationships? Whether you’re a seasoned espionage enthusiast or new to the world of intelligence, this episode will keep you on the edge of your seat as we expose the intricate web of counterintelligence and the daring moves being made in today’s spy games.

About the guest speaker:

Douglas London retired from the CIA in 2019 after 34 years as a Senior Operations Officer, Chief of Station, and CIA’s Counterterrorism Chief for South and Southwest Asia. He served primarily in the Middle East, South Asia, the former Soviet Republics, and Africa, with senior management positions for the Near East, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Iran, and Cyber operations. Mr. London is a Non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and is the author of the book “The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence,” concerning the CIA’s post-9/11 transformation. Mr. London has been a contributor to the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Politico, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The Hill, CNN, Just Security, The Atlantic Council and the Middle East Institute.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

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In this episode, we delve into the covert world of espionage and intelligence operations. From the rigorous training and psychological conditioning that mold the minds of intelligence officers to the art of asset recruitment, listeners will gain an inside look at the secretive techniques used to gather information and outmaneuver adversaries. We’ll explore real-world case studies of recruitment operations, discuss the ethical dilemmas officers face, and examine how modern technology is transforming spycraft. Join us as we uncover the intricate web of deception, loyalty, and strategy that defines the intelligence community.

About the guest speaker:

Mr. Lawler serves as a national security consultant and is the Senior Partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training to the Intelligence Community and the commercial sector focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues. Mr. Lawler is a noted speaker on the Insider Threat in government and industry and has been the guest on numerous national podcasts. Prior to this, Mr. Lawler served for 25 years as a CIA operations officer in various international posts and as Chief of the Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit. He had five overseas assignments from 1982 to 1994.

Mr. Lawler was a member of CIA's Senior Intelligence Service (SIS-3) from 1998 until his retirement in 2005. He was a specialist in the recruitment of foreign spies, and he spent well over half of his CIA career battling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As Chief of the A.Q. Khan Nuclear Takedown Team, which resulted in the disruption of the most dangerous nuclear weapons network in history, Mr. Lawler was the recipient of one of the CIA's Trailblazer Awards in 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of CIA. In 2004, former DCI George Tenet sent Mr. Lawler a note which stated, “Jim, what you and your team have achieved will rank up there as one of the most spectacular intelligence accomplishments in the history of the CIA. It occurred because of your exemplary leadership. Not only are we in the process of taking down a network, we are also in the process of disarming a country as a result of your fine work. With respect, George J. Tenet” And former DDCI John McLaughlin noted that the effort was “the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a perfect intelligence operation.”

Mr. Lawler also received the Director's Award from DCI George Tenet, the U.S. Intelligence Community's HUMINT Collector of the Year Award, and the Donovan Award from the CIA's Deputy Director of Operations.

Prior to his career in intelligence, Mr. Lawler practiced law and was the president of a steel components company in Texas. He has written two novels: Living Lies, an espionage story of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and In the Twinkling of an Eye, about recruiting a spy at the heart of a devastating covert Russian-North Korean genetic bioweapons program. Both have been cleared by the CIA’s Publication Review Board. Living Lies was published in August 2021, and In the Twinkling of an Eye was published in April 2022. In December 2022, Spyscape named Living Lies as #38 on its list of Fifty Best Spy Novels ever written, according to other intelligence officers. He is currently completing his third espionage novel, The Traitor’s Tale, about treachery and treason deep within the CIA.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

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In this episode, we explore how Northern Waves is pushing the boundaries of microwave engineering and additive manufacturing to create high-precision components for space applications. From advanced satellite systems to efficient communication technologies, discover how these breakthroughs are revolutionizing satellite manufacturing, improving performance, and unlocking new possibilities for space exploration and related infrastructure.

About Northern Waves:

Northern Waves, is a Swedish start-up company specializing in additive manufacturing for microwave components. As a frontrunner in the field of microwave technology, Northern Waves leverages the power of additive manufacturing to design and produce high-performance microwave components with exceptional precision and efficiency.

About the guest speakers

Jose Rico: He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Oviedo, Spain. He began his professional career at ArcelorMittal R&D, where he discovered and developed his passion for additive manufacturing. This interest became the focus of his PhD research, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. His extensive expertise in microwave components and additive manufacturing culminated in the founding of Northern Waves AB.

Omar Orgeira: He holds a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Oviedo and a Master's degree in Electromagnetics Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. He gained valuable experience at the Fraunhofer FHR Institute, where he developed radar and microwave systems for both civilian and military applications. Currently, he serves as CTO at Northern Waves AB, leveraging his extensive expertise in microwave design and additive manufacturing.

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