Special Relationship Episode 006 - Ukraine and NATO Updates
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
Well, our goal to pick up the pace in 2024 with the Special Relationship series resulted in precisely zero (0) episodes recorded, but we're optimistic about 2025! In this episode, Tom solicits Jim's thoughts on American and European support for Ukraine's war effort, how strategic rigor has (or hasn't) impacted the conflict. Then, they shift gears to discuss the Trump Administration's controversial dealings with NATO, to include whether or not the 47th President intends to abandon Europeans to their own cognizance. Listen in for these topics and more.
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Layer 9, Episode 003: Flashback to Farewell
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
In the early 1980's, KGB/DST Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Vetrov provided nearly 4,000 secret documents to French intelligence. In doing so, Vetrov revealed a massive, intricate Soviet effort to conduct targeted industrial espionage throughout the Western world. Vetrov's revelations allowed the United States and its allies to undermine Soviet efforts to catch up to the rapid technological advancements of the 1970's and 1980's, likely hastening the Soviet Union's eventual collapse. The combined Vetrov dossier was code-named "Farewell," and in addition to a and a , the story is featured in...
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Layer 9, Episode 002: The Cuckoo's Egg Revisited
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
We haven't had the opportunity to meet up and discuss any of the numerous relevant stories that have unfolded in recent weeks, so instead, here's a recycle of an episode that Mike and I recorded for my other podcast. In 2017(ish), I picked up a copy of by Cliff Stoll. In 2018, I watched the 1990 PBS Nova special on the story, . In 2022, I actually got to meet Cliff, in the flesh. In early 2024, Mike and I discussed all of it. Enjoy!
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Layer 9, Episode 001: TikTok Ban and Meta Fact Checking
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
In our shaky take-off episode, Mike and I discuss the short lived American TikTok ban, and the controversial move by Meta to adjust their fact-checking practices in favor of "Community Notes." Please note that Mike and I only represent ourselves, and our views may not reflect the official positions of any organizations with which we're affiliated. Our theme music is the Menuet from Bach's French Suite No. 3, and should be recognizable to most listeners...
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SWISS Podcast - Episode 010 - 2024 Ukraine Update - Russia
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
Here's the second half of our recent discussion of the current situation in Ukraine. We discuss Russia's manpower challenges and touch on the use of Wagner Group mercenaries and recruited prison inmates, Russia's withdrawal from a number of longstanding arms control treaties, and the overall strategic landscape relative to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, listeners may enjoy following along with our .
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SWISS Podcast - Episode 009 - 2024 Ukraine Update - Ukraine
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
Tom and Sherif are back in action, giving updates on the situation in Ukraine, and how domestic American politics is influencing efforts to continue funding and supplying the Ukrainian war effort. During recording, we jumped back and forth between talking about Ukraine and Russia, but in editing, Tom decided to split over an hour of discussion into two episodes: one focusing on the situation in Ukraine, and one shifting to the situation in Russia. The second episode will be published in a few days, at which point the link to our latest occasional paper on this topic will be included.
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Special Relationship Episode 005 - Another UK Leadership Shift
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
In this long-delayed episode that was originally recorded in mid-May, Jim and Tom discuss the background of, and prospects for, the leadership of Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as well as the coronation and accession of King Charles III. As our last Special Relationship episode was released on Hogmanay/New Year's Eve of 2022, it's only fitting that this episode be released one year later - though we hope to record and publish with slightly greater frequency in 2024!
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SWISS Podcast - Episode 008 - War in the Holy Land Update
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
On December 10th, we revisited the ongoing (and increasingly polarizing) conflict between Israel and Hamas, which centers on the densely populated Gaza Strip. Sherif's audio wasn't always great, but we pressed on, and the discussion was productive. We think listeners will find it enlightening. Additionally, SWISS analysts have contributed to a that seeks to clarify many of the common misconceptions about the conflict's historical context, in addition to tracking major developments during the ongoing conflict.
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SWISS Podcast - Episode 007 - War in the Holy Land
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
After a long hiatus (we'll explain later), Tom and Sherif took some time to discuss the crisis in the Holy Land. Their first take got interrupted, and was getting rambly, so this episode is their second attempt, which was more concise. Another episode with more historical context will be released in the near future, probably with an additional link to a dossier with some additional resources. In the meantime, we hope everyone finds this discussion to be enlightening.
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Special Relationship Episode 004 - The Scottish Question
SWISS Intelligence Podcast
You might call it a special episode of The Special Relationship: Jim and Tom discuss the prospects for a Scottish departure from the United Kingdom, and the associated international security ramifications of such a development. Everything you could have wanted to know about this topic, we discuss in detail.
info_outlineIn the third episode of our Special Relationship series, Tom asks Jim, the University of Aberdeen's emeritus professor of Strategic Studies, about the new NATO's strategic concept, NATO 2022. What does it signal to NATO members, and to the rest of the world? What's the historical context, and what does it bode for the future? We discuss these topics and more.