One Decision

Is the US on the verge of military intervention in Iran? Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, reveals why he believes a US strike is "likelier than not" in the coming weeks—and what Trump's Venezuela operation tells us about his appetite for regime change.

In this episode of One Decision, we explore:


Why US aircraft carriers are massing in the Middle East


The "Venezuela model" – a new blueprint for intervention?


China's strategic opening as allies hedge against Trump's tariffs


China’s President Xi Jinping's shocking military purge and what it means for Taiwan


Whether Trump's foreign policy represents a permanent shift or a passing aberration

Hosted by Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio) and Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese President Xi Jinping is firing top officials in the People’s Liberation Army at an unprecedented rate—is he preparing for an invasion of Taiwan, or simply worried about challenges to his leadership? On this week’s One Decision: In Brief, co-host Kate McCann joins former head of MI6 and host Sir Richard Dearlove to examine what’s actually happening in Beijing through the lens of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping. Sir Richard explains why Europe’s economic dependencies on China may be cause for national security concerns. Kate and Sir Richard also discuss what to look for in the coming week regarding potential US military intervention in Iran, and why the US’s focus on Greenland was a distraction from just that.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former US Ambassador to Panama John Feeley joins guest co-host Sabrina Singh and Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss the Trump administration's turn toward Latin America.

Ambassador Feeley served as US Ambassador to Panama from 2015-2018 and resigned under the first Trump administration. He offers an insider's perspective on Venezuela’s transition of power to Delcy Rodríguez, China’s influence on the Panama Canal, and the collapse of traditional American diplomacy in the Western Hemisphere.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump ran his 2024 US presidential campaign vowing to be the “peace president.” Now one year into his second term, his tenure has been marked by global instability, and a return down the path towards American isolationism. This week on One Decision: In Brief, guest co-host and former Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh joins former head of MI6 and host Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss the shocks and surprises that have defined the geopolitical landscape of this past year. Sir Richard argues that Trump has acted as a catalyst towards the continued disintegration of Pax Americana, and worries that Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin puts an end to the war in Ukraine in jeopardy. Sabrina reflects on the shift in US foreign policy, from the closing of USAID, to joint strikes with Israel on Iran and a fragile ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Together, they explore what to watch for in the coming year, including AI technologies emerging as a strategic issue, the effects of Trump’s tariffs, the fate of the theocratic regime in Iran, Greenland, and the looming economic and military shadow of China.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of One Decision, guest host Rosanna Lockwood and Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, are joined by Dr. Anthony Vinci, the former Chief Technology Officer and Associate Director of Capabilities at the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), as well as the author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America. Dr. Vinci discusses how advances in intelligence and technology are reshaping global relationships and creating new challenges.  He also highlights how intelligence is no longer limited to governments and its impact on everyday life. The group also explores how AI is changing the way disinformation is spread, as well as the risks associated with Chinese control over platforms like TikTok, and why democracies are increasingly vulnerable when facing authoritarian surveillance states. 

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices