All Episodes

June 21, 2025 76 mins
This week, Chris and Matt dive into the war between Israel and Iran, now entering its second week, with President Trump weighing a direct US strike on Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility. They unpack how the conflict began, Mossad’s covert sabotage campaign, the mounting civilian toll, and the split between Israeli and US intelligence over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. They also explore how Trump’s political coalition is fracturing over potential US military involvement, whether the Iranian regime can survive the assault, and what might come next. Then, they turn to leaked documents revealing how Russia’s FSB sees China as a serious espionage threat, despite public rhetoric of partnership. They wrap with thoughts on MI6’s new chief and the legacy of spy fiction giant Frederick Forsyth.

Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs.

Please share this episode using these links

Articles discussed in today’s episode

"Israel Built Its Case for War With Iran on New Intelligence. The U.S. Didn’t Buy It." by Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman & Dustin Volz | The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-built-its-case-for-war-with-iran-on-new-intelligence-the-u-s-didnt-buy-it-55592e81

"Exclusive: Inside the spy dossier that led Israel to war" | The Economist: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/18/exclusive-inside-the-spy-dossier-that-led-israel-to-war

"How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel" by Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Mark Mazzetti & Ronen Bergman | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/us/politics/trump-iran-israel-nuclear-talks.html

"This War Is Not Helping Us" by Arash Azizi | The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/06/iran-opposition-israel-war/683207/

"Hegseth defers to general on Pentagon’s plans for Iran" by Jack Detsch & Paul McLeary | Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/hegseth-erik-kurilla-iran-pentagon-response-00411007

"US Decision On Striking Iran To Be Made In 'Next Two Weeks’" by Thomas Newdick | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/u-s-decision-on-striking-iran-to-be-made-in-next-two-weeks

"Israeli Airstrikes Blunt Iranian Long-Range Ballistic Missile Threat" by Howard Altman & Tyler Rogoway | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/israeli-airstrikes-blunt-iranian-long-range-ballistic-missile-launch-capabilities

"Spike Missiles That Destroyed Air Defenses From Inside Iran Were Remotely Operated" by Howard Altman | The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/news-features/spike-missiles-that-destroyed-air-defenses-from-inside-iran-were-remotely-operated

"Secret Russian Intelligence Document Shows Deep Suspicion of China" by Jacob Judah, Paul Sonne & Anton Troianovski | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/world/europe/china-russia-spies-documents-putin-war.html

"MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history" by Chris Mason, Frank Gardner & Rich Preston | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxyx04dv1wo

"The Day Of The Jackal author Frederick Forsyth dies" by Ian Youngs | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj4ljxv17xo

Support Secrets and Spies

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Cardiac Cowboys

Cardiac Cowboys

The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.