How should the UK engage with China? In this week’s episode, journalist Kate McCann and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, sit down with Sir Grant Shapps, former Defence Secretary for the United Kingdom. During his tenure, Shapps was an advocate for building European defense in the wake of the war in Ukraine. He gives insight into what it was like to work with China and explains why the United Kingdom should engage financially and commercially with the nation. He also shares his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy approaches and why he’s disappointed in Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Plus, Shapps shares his thoughts on fortifying an AI defense strategy and offers predictions for the future of foreign policy.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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35:04
Ex-NATO Commander & MI6 Chief on Trump Tariffs, Ukraine Plans
How Should Donald Trump Approach Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine Plans? And could the American president’s tariffs impact military strategy? In this week’s episode, Christina Ruffini and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, are joined by retired four-star United States General Philip Breedlove who served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe from 2013-2016, during the time of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Breedlove’s career has been influential in shaping U.S. military air strategy domestically and abroad. He discusses the impact President Donald Trump’s tariff plans have had on military preparedness and strategy, the fortification of NATO, Ukraine’s defense strategy, and how Trump can negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Russia. Plus, with decades of conflict experience under their belts, Dearlove and Gen. Breedlove share stories about working in the field.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
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35:45
Legendary Director Steven Soderbergh on Spy Movies
"Watching people lie is very compelling," says Academy-Award winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh when discussing his new spy thriller, Black Bag. Soderbergh joins One Decision hosts Kate McCann and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of Britain’s MI6, to talk about the film. They also discuss the reality of being a spy, why integrity and trust are key elements of espionage, and the possibility of Soderbergh directing a James Bond film. Plus, they also explore the role of intelligence in a potential future global pandemic and whether Soderbergh’s prescient film, Contagion, could soon have a sequel.
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31:50
Ex-Spy Chief’s Take on US Signal Group Chat
In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and co-host Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain’s MI6, break down how a group of cabinet members from the Trump administration inadvertently revealed classified national security information to a magazine editor. The information, detailing a military attack on Houthis in Yemen, was shared in a group chat on the messaging app, Signal. Later, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, joins the podcast to discuss his pivotal role during the first few weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, shares insight into the United States’ role in ceasefire negotiations, and why he’s fairly optimistic about the outcome of the war in Gaza.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music produced and composed by Leo Sidran.
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31:33
Ex-MI6 Head on Trump-Putin Call
What is it like to meet with Russian leaders in Moscow? Will President Trump's phone call with President Vladimir Putin help end the war? And why is AI now the hottest tool in cybersecurity?
In this week’s episode, Christina Ruffini catches up with co-host and former head of Britain’s MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to unpack the global implications of President Donald Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week. Sir Richard shares exclusive insight into his meetings in Moscow and what Ukrainians are telling him about ending the war. He also reveals what he believes is Putin’s true vulnerability. Later in the episode, Sir Richard sits down with Anne Neuberger, former Deputy National Security for Cyber and Emerging Technology under the Biden administration. They explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in defense systems and why China is the leading cybersecurity adversary.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
Tough decisions rattle us all to the core. But for our guests on One Decision— the choices they are up against can also shape history. No pressure! They take us through all of their doubts, emotions and—sometimes unexpected--consequences.
A fresh take on foreign policy.
Hear the former head of Mi6, Sir Richard Dearlove alongside international journalists as they analyse, interview, and discuss.
Ireland