One Decision
One Decision is a podcast that explores the tough decisions faced by influential figures, from former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove to international journalists. Each episode delves into the doubts, emotions, and unexpected consequences of choices that can shape history. The show offers a fresh perspective on foreign policy through in-depth interviews and analysis.
Episodes
Is Iran Secretly Building a Bomb at Pickaxe Mountain? A Nuclear Physicist Answers (w/ Ali Vaez)
Israel and the US may have extraordinary intelligence on Iran. But intelligence isn't the same as comprehension, according to nuclear physicist and 2015 Iran deal negotiator Ali Vaez.
Vaez joins John Raine and Sir Richard Dearlove to break down what Iran's nuclear capabilities really look like after the 12-day war. Plus, how Iran's Supreme National Security Council stays united under duress, ho
How Real Is Netflix's The Diplomat? Ex-MI6 Chief Fact-Checks It (w/ Creator Debora Cahn)
Debora Cahn, the writer behind The Diplomat, Homeland, The West Wing, and Grey's Anatomy, joins Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove to talk about writing political drama in an era when reality keeps outpacing fiction. Debora explains how "spy camp" research trips with real diplomats, spies, and generals shape her scripts, why she resists making her stories too close to current events, and what s
Inside the CIA and MI6 on 9/11 (w/ John McLaughlin, CIA Deputy Director on September 11th)
Part Two of our two-part series marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 reunites former leaders of the US and UK intelligence services, both of whom were in high office on September 11, 2001. Former deputy director of the CIA John McLaughlin joins former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host Kate McCann to give the insider’s perspective on the intelligence world’s response to the attacks. McLaug
The Lessons of 9/11 & the Global War on Terror (w/ Peter Bergen, who Interviewed Bin Laden)
In 1997, Peter Bergen found himself in the mountains of Afghanistan, face-to-face with al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. During the ensuing landmark interview, bin Laden foreshadowed the terrorist attacks of September 11.
In Part One of our two-part series commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, journalist and author Peter Bergen sits down with former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove and co-
Why the US Lost in Afghanistan (w/Jon Lee Anderson, the Journalist Who Saw the Taliban Rise Twice)
It has been five years since the US withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, accepting defeat after a 20-year presence in the country. Was this ever a winnable war? War correspondent Jon Lee Anderson of The New Yorker walks former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host John Raine through the Taliban resurgence. Anderson discusses why it was a strategic error to not allow Hamid Ka
MI6 Spymaster: Was Israel Serious About Regime Change in Iran? (Ft. Ronen Bergman & Mark Mazzetti)
How did a Holocaust-denying, hardline former president of Iran become the centerpiece of an Israeli plan to topple the regime in Tehran? Former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host John Raine sit down with New York Times investigative journalists Mark Mazzetti and Ronen Bergman to detail the high-stakes intelligence mission that preceded Operation Epic Fury. They explain how Israel’s Mossa
Putin's Russia, Ukraine's Reparations (ft. Jamison Firestone) | German Spies, Iceland-EU, Iran
Vladimir Putin promised Russia a "dictatorship of law" when he took office in 2000. He delivered the dictatorship -- but not the law.
This week, Russia expert, human rights lawyer, and founder of Russia's first independent foreign law firm Jamison Firestone joins journalist Rosanna Lockwood and former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove to discuss his new book, Rule of Lies: My Wild Ride Through Cha
CIA Under Trump (ft. Tim Weiner) | China’s UK Spy Nest, US to Squeeze Cuba, Russia Tests NATO
What role do intelligence services play under a president that does not heed their advice? That’s one of the questions Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Tim Weiner posits in his most recent book, The Mission, which details how the modern Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has evolved during the era of the global war on terror. Weiner describes the evolution of the missions undertaken by the CIA, whic
Russia-Ukraine War Ground Truth (ft. Analyst Michael Kofman) | Swedish Spies, Iran Pause, AI Fears
Is the Russian military actually losing ground, or adapting faster than Western allies realize? Fresh off a tour of the Ukrainian front lines, Senior Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Michael Kofman delivers a realistic assessment of the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. Kofman explains why Ukraine is in its strongest position s
US-China AI Race (ft Gina Raimondo), Kyiv Shakeup, Kash to Moscow, Saudi Nuclear Deal, Iran Update
AI models in the United States may be ahead of China’s in terms of capability, but China far surpasses America in adoption and use. That’s what former US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo says about the state of the AI race, and why she believes it's critical for the US and its allies to understand one thing: China is not our friend. She spells out how exactly China is creating technological dep
Iran's War Plan (ft. Vali Nasr), Burnham In, Fedorov Out, Japan's New Spy Agency, China's AI Grab
Professor Vali Nasr argues that the single objective that's driven Tehran since 1979 has been defending its independence from the US. Author of Iran’s Grand Strategy, Nasr says that logic, more than ideology, explains the current war. He unpacks Iran's shift toward hard-nosed nationalism, what leverage it has left, and whether the country will take a more pragmatic approach to geopolitics.
Ukraine: Economic Powerhouse (ft Chrystia Freeland), PM Burnham, Iran Stalemate, China's PLA Shakeup
In recent months of the war, Ukraine has managed to hold its front lines and bring war to regular Russians via attacks on infrastructure. That’s why Economic Advisor to the President of Ukraine Chrystia Freeland believes Ukraine has flipped the narrative from being the virtuous victim of Russia’s aggression to the necessary ally and shield of Europe. This week, she joins Sir Ben Wallace and co-hos
World Cup Geopolitics (ft. Simon Kuper), Trump’s Spy List, Burnham’s Devolution, Nord Stream Case
Football can be geopolitics by other means. Financial Times Journalist Simon Kuper has covered every World Cup since 1990. This week, he joins Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika to unpack how football and geopolitics collide.
Kuper explains why he thinks FIFA president Gianni Infantino runs the organization like an autocrat, how U.S. President Donald Trump's red
NATO Summit Preview (ft. Julianne Smith and Wess Mitchell), Five Eyes on China, Iran Talks Stall
President Donald Trump has continued his pressure campaign on European defense spending. But in the lead-up to the next NATO Summit, there is another core question to ask: How is Europe coordinating its defense production? This might be the key issue that determines how Trump's pressure campaign pays off in the long run.
Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove are joined by Ambassador Julianne Smit
Hormuz Reality Check (ft. Energy Expert Helima Croft), Starmer Out, Ukraine Hits Back, Brexit at 10
In the wake of the United States’ MOU with Iran, the headlines have been chock-full of optimism.
Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Sabrina Singh sit down with Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research, RBC Capital Markets, to lend more nuance to the news.
Also: What Starmer’s resignation could mean for the UK, takeaways from the recent G7 meeti
The Cuba Conundrum (ft. Ricardo Zúñiga), US-Iran Deal, UK Defense Secretary Quits, Armenia Looks West
The man who secretly negotiated with Cuba for the Obama Administration says it plainly: the risk of military intervention is quite high. Ricardo Zúniga breaks down why the U.S. and Cuba are headed toward conflict, why the Cuban regime would rather fight than negotiate, and why Cuba is not Venezuela, no matter what the White House says.
Also this week: the Iran-U.S. ceasefire deal, the resignation
The Critical Minerals Race (ft. CSIS Expert Gracelin Baskaran), Poland's Defense Surge, and Hungary After Orbán
The minerals inside your phone, your car, and U.S. fighter jets almost all pass through one country: China.
Dr. Gracelin Baskaran, founding director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at CSIS, joins Sir Richard Dearlove and Rosanna Lockwood to explain how China built a stranglehold on rare earth production, and what it will actually take to break it. Critical Minerals are this century's de
Bellingcat Founder Eliot Higgins on the War for Truth in the Age of Slopaganda
The Iran conflict contains dueling narratives. Iran says it repelled the attack. Israel says it decimated the nuclear program. The US says it brokered peace. So, how do you find out what actually happened? That’s where Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) can provide valuable information to the public.
Eliot Higgins built Bellingcat from a Leicester living room blog into the world's most influential
Losing Sight of Iran's Revolutionary Character Has Cost the West, ft. IISS Expert John Raine
With Ayatollah Khamenei’s demise occurring hours into the war, the West anticipated a collapse of the Iranian regime and a popular uprising that never came to be. Is a ‘memorandum of understanding’ the only thing preventing total escalation in the region? In this episode of One Decision, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host journalist Kate McCann sit down with John Raine, Senior Advis
The Undersea Contest for Control of the Global Economy, ft. Journalist Samanth Subramanian
95 percent of global internet traffic travels through underwater fiber optic cables. They've never been more vulnerable.
In this episode of One Decision, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood are joined by journalist and author Samanth Subramanian. His latest book, The Web Beneath the Waves, is an investigation into the hidden infrastructure holding the world's
Former White House China Advisor on What Beijing Really Wants from Trump Summit
All eyes are on Beijing as President Trump meets with President Xi Jinping for the first US presidential visit to China in nine years. This week, Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood sit down with Rush Doshi — former Deputy Senior Director for China and Taiwan at Biden's National Security Council and author of The Long Game — to break down what's really at stake.
What does Chin
After Maduro: Who's Running Venezuela Now?
Venezuela's leader Delcy Rodríguez has no constitutional legitimacy, by any standard, including Chavismo's own rules, according to lawyer-turned-journalist Raul Stolk. So who is actually running Venezuela right now? And what does the United States really want?
Raul Stolk, Managing Director of Caracas Chronicles, joins Sir Richard Dearlove and Kate McCann for a deep dive into the power structure
US Senator on How Putin is Playing Trump, China's Quiet Win, and King Charles in DC
Has the divisive rhetoric of President Trump’s administration irrevocably changed America’s reputation in the eyes of its allies and adversaries? Former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika sit down with Democratic US Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire to discuss how US foreign policy has shifted during Trump’s second term. Beginning with In Brief, Sir R
The Iran Upheaval Has Unraveled a Decade of Indian Foreign Policy
As Pakistan steps into its role as peace broker, is India being left in the cold? Former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove and international journalist Rosanna Lockwood are joined by lecturer in South Asian Studies at Yale, Sushant Singh, to unpack this dramatic shift in South Asian and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Starting with In Brief, Sir Richard and Rosanna look at how the Iran and US blockades
Will China's Strategic Bet on the Iranian Regime Pay Off?
The US has moved critical missile defenses and troops from East Asia to the Middle East. With America’s resources stretched thin, is this the ultimate strategic opportunity for China? Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace and Times Radio political editor Kate McCann sit down with former advisor to President Obama and Georgetown University Director of Asia Studies Evan Medeiros to explore wha
$100 Million a Day: Putin’s Iran War Windfall
Russia may be issuing verbal condemnations from the sidelines of the conflict in Iran, but behind the scenes, it’s leveraging its relationship with Iran to give the US a “taste of its own medicine.” Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and Times Radio political editor Kate McCann sit down with Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, to discuss Russia’s calculated role in
“Open the F***in’ Strait!”: Trump’s Scorched Earth Threat to Tehran
After Iran shot down two US warplanes, President Trump shot back with a scathing ultimatum. But are Trump’s words pushing the world towards a point of no return? Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and international journalist Rosanna Lockwood examine a weekend of high-stakes escalation in the Middle East. They discuss the thinking and implications behind President Trump’s explosive online rheto
Is Russia the Iran War's "Biggest Winner"? | Fareed Zakaria
This isn’t just another Middle Eastern conflict—it’s a fundamental restructuring of global power. Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika with Fareed Zakaria, veteran journalist, author, and host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS. Together, they examine Israel’s war strategy, and whether or not the war aims of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are misal
Trump's Iran Endgame: Will U.S. Troops Go In?
Everyone is calling it another Iraq. Sir Richard Dearlove disagrees. In this episode of One Decision In Brief, the former MI6 chief makes the case that what's unfolding in Iran may be something different: the final chapter of a decades-long conflict, with a window for the United States to actually close it.
Sir Richard and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika break down the military logic — w
Is Cuba About to Fall? A 35-Year CIA Analyst on What Comes Next
Cuba is running out of fuel, its economy is in ruins, and 2 million of its citizens have already fled. Is the communist regime finally at its breaking point?
Sir Richard Dearlove and Kate McCann sit down with Brian Latell, PhD, a 35-year CIA veteran and the agency's top Cuba and Latin America analyst. They assess whether the government can survive Trump's fuel embargo, what a transition would act
The Oil Price Pivot: Did Global Markets Force Trump to Pause the War?
From an ultimatum to a “pause” in attacks, did President Donald Trump just blink, or is he playing a much larger game with Iran? Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and journalist Kate McCann analyze whether President Trump’s sudden shift on Iran is a genuine diplomatic opening, a calculated move to cool soaring global oil prices, or an attempt to buy time for US Marine reinforcements to arrive.
The Largest Oil Supply Shock in History: Inside the Strait of Hormuz Crisis | Helima Croft
The Strait of Hormuz is in a chokehold. The scale of this oil supply disruption has already exceeded the shocks of the 1970s. Sir Richard Dearlove and Rosanna Lockwood sit down with Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy at RBC Capital Markets and former senior CIA analyst, to break down what market players are getting wrong, why reopening the Strait is far harder th
“Disappointed Across the Board”: Is Iran Causing the US-EU Alliance to Crumble?
President Trump’s call for naval assistance in the Strait of Hormuz has not been answered by European allies. Does this signal a growing crisis of confidence in the West? Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and international journalist Rosanna Lockwood examine the latest developments in the war with Iran, as well as rising political polarization in France and the UK, fears of domestic terrorist
Did Netanyahu Drive Trump Into War? NYT's Ronen Bergman + Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus on What’s Next in Iran
What exactly drove President Donald Trump’s decision to join Israel in joint strikes against Iran? Ronen Bergman joins from Tel Aviv where he is a Senior Correspondent for Military and Intelligence Affairs for Yedioth Ahronoth and staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. He shares his reporting of how Netanyahu moved Trump toward a joint strike, and why he's staying quiet about it for now.
Will "Trump declare victory and go home?" | Congressman Jim Himes on the Iran Endgame
One of the few Americans briefed before US hit Iran sits down with Sir Richard Dearlove and Rosanna Lockwood to share his analysis: the legal justification is false, the strategic endgame doesn't exist, and we may have just handed Iran every reason to build a nuclear weapon. US Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, breaks down Trump's grip on Capitol
“The IRGC Got Their Man”: Former UK Defense Minister and Ex-MI6 Chief on Mojtaba Khamenei’s Ascent
Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed to succeed his father as Supreme Leader of Iran. What now? Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace, who spent eight years as Chairman of the British–Iran Parliamentary Group, views this as a doubling down on defiance. Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and international journalist Rosanna Lockwood break down the rationale behind why the IRGC is vested in
“Surrender would be far more dangerous to Iran’s survival than war.” - Iran Expert Trita Parsi
Iran's strategy isn't to defeat the US militarily. Trita Parsi argues that it's to make the cost high enough, fast enough, to collapse domestic support before Iran loses. With MAGA turning against the war, oil markets destabilizing, and both parties alarmed by talk of ground troops, Trump urgently needs a face-saving exit. Plus, Parsi believes that Iran's revolutionary system was built to withstan
John Bolton and Operation Iraqi Freedom Commander: The Lessons from Iraq Trump Can't Ignore
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton doesn't mince words: the opening strikes on Iran were just the beginning. In this special bonus episode, Bolton breaks down why he believes the Iranian regime will fragment from within, what the Gulf Arab states are about to do, and how war in Iran affects Russia, Ukraine, and China.
Then, retired Lt. General Mark Hertling brings the view from the gro
Khamenei Has Fallen. Is This the Rebirth of American Deterrence? Ex-MI6 Chief's Analysis
After weeks of buildup, the United States and Israel have attacked Iran, killing long-time leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. How will the downfall of his regime reverberate throughout the Middle East and beyond?
Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and journalist Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio) dive into the questions around the decision to strike Iran, what the death of Khamenei mea
Four Years of Ukraine War, No End In Sight: Ex-CIA officer Mike Baker Assesses Risks
When a former CIA officer and the ex-Chief of MI6 agree something is coming — pay attention. This week, Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer with nearly two decades running intelligence operations in the world's most hostile environments.
Together, they give an unvarnished assessmen
Trump's Tariff Plan Just Got Struck Down. What Now? | In Brief
The U.S. Supreme Court just struck down President Trump's reciprocal tariffs — so what happens next? Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and Baroness Ayesha Hazarika break down Trump's options to reimpose his tariff regime, what it means for trade negotiators worldwide, and why international leaders who flew to Washington may have wasted their time.
Plus: Will US intel lead the front of the wa
BONUS: Andrew’s Arrest & UK Security Secrets, Former MI6 Head Weighs In
Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public life, and not for his alleged behavior toward women. He is the first member of the British royal family to be detained since King Charles I was taken prisoner in 1647. Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove details the level of classified information Andrew may have allegedly shared for personal gain.
In thi
Will China Invade Taiwan in 2026? Expert's New Insight Reveals "Perfect Storm"
Is 2026 China's window to “reunite” Taiwan? With Trump’s muted position on Taiwan and focus on the Western Hemisphere, China experts see a "perfect storm" of opportunity. Yun Sun, Ph.D., Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, explains why Beijing believes this may be a now-or-never moment. Dr. Sun unpacks her arguments and warnings from her recent Foreign Affairs essay.
In this ep
Munich Security Conference: Germany Takes the Lead, UK Loses Ground | In Brief
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's speech at the Munich Security Conference marks a seismic shift in European defense. Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove breaks down why Germany's massive military spending increase changes everything, and why the UK might be left behind.
Plus: Is the US heading toward military conflict with Iran? What is the significance of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s
Assessing Trump's Iran Strategy and the Russia-Ukraine Negotiations with Michael Allen
s the United States about to launch military strikes against Iran? Former National Security Council official Michael Allen joins One Decision to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East, revealing why he believes President Trump will soon authorize joint US-Israeli military action against Iran.
In this episode, Michael Allen analyzes:
Why Iran negotiations may be doomed to fail
P
EPSTEIN FILES FALLOUT, Plus Iran’s On The Hot Seat
The fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files has reached the highest levels of the United Kingdom Parliament. Tensions continue to rise as Iran attempts to run out the clock on American forces. Russia–Ukraine peace talks appear to be stalling yet again.
Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove and Sabrina Singh dive into the ongoing turmoil facing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Sir Richard details ca
"I Don't Know If the U.S. Would Defend Us" | Denmark Defense Committee Chair on NATO
Denmark's Defence Committee Chair Rasmus Jarlov exposes the truth behind Trump's “framework of a future deal.” In this interview, Jarlov explains why Denmark has drawn a hard line against Trump's territorial claims. Jarlov admits that he's no longer sure if America would defend a NATO ally under attack.
In this episode of One Decision, we explore:
What's Trump really after in Greenland
Trump's ICE at the Winter Olympics: Security, Surveillance & World Cup Controversy | Former MI6 Chief Explains
From deploying anti-missile frigates on the Thames, to sending ICE agents to Milan, hosting the Olympics is a high-stakes security operation. Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and Kate McCann break down the 2026 Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup controversies on this week’s episode of One Decision: In Brief.
Sir Richard explains the security precautions that countries undertake as both host
IRAN: Trump's next target?
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
Th
In Brief: What Xi Jinping's Military Purge Means for the West
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 Mi
Trump's Power Play: Ex-Ambassador On What's Really Happening in Venezuela, Cuba, and the Panama Canal
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
In Brief: One Year of Trump 2.0 - What’s the Global Impact?
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 disc
Why AI Is Making Espionage Much More Dangerous
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. Vinc
In Brief: Why Greenland and Iran Matter to Trump
On this episode of One Decision In Brief, guest host Rosanna Lockwood and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, unpack the shifting landscape of U.S. foreign policy on Greenland and Iran. Rosanna questions whether the United States is abandoning 75 years of post-war foreign policy in favor of a return to regional hegemony and balance-of-power politics reminiscent of the pre-World War II era. S
Trump's Venezuela Raid. A Warning for Europe
In this episode of One Decision, host Kate McCann and co-host Sir Ben Wallace, former UK Defence Secretary, speak with former US National Security Advisor to Kamala Harris, Philip Gordon. They dissect the Trump administration’s military actions in Venezuela, including the arrest of President Maduro, and also discuss the US’s threat to take control of Greenland and what these moves could mean for t
In Brief: How Trump Captured Maduro
On this week’s One Decision In Brief, host Kate McCann is joined by co-host and former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace to examine the fallout of the United States’ military raid in Caracas, Venezuela, which led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Sir Ben explains the military execution of the operation, why it achieved its goals, and how it differs from past c
Ex-Spy Chiefs on What to Watch for in 2026
This week, Sir Richard Dearlove, One Decision’s resident spymaster and former Chief of MI6, sits down for our annual Spy Chiefs roundtable. Tune into this wide-ranging conversation with distinguished former intelligence leaders as they examine global threats and hard choices facing Western governments. Joining Sir Richard are former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Joseph Votel and Andrew McCabe, former Dep
In Brief: China’s National Security Law Explained
On this week’s One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former MI6 Chief, examine the security risks posed by major Chinese companies like Alibaba. The hosts discuss a recent White House memo alleging that Alibaba provided tech support for Chinese military operations against countries, including the US. They explore what China’s national security laws mean for data access
A Year in Review: Foreign Policy in 2025
In this special year-end episode of One Decision, host Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, welcomes a panel featuring Sabrina Singh, former Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary and senior official in the Biden administration, and Jim Sciutto, CNN’s Chief National Security Analyst and anchor of The Brief. They assess the year 2025, which has been arguably one of the most disruptive years in moder
In Brief: Havana Syndrome. What is it...And is it Real?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, dive into a very controversial and perplexing mystery, Havana Syndrome. The hosts break down a range of surveillance devices possibly used in Havana, Cuba, against U.S diplomats and embassy staffers, and explore whether foreign rivals like Russia, China, or Cuba could be responsible. Sir
The Threat To China's Superpower Status
This week on One Decision, guest host Mary Alice Parks and Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of MI6, sit down with Jon Czin, former Director for China at the National Security Council and current Chair of Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. In this conversation, the group explores China's growing confidence and its shift from defensive to offensive strategy under the second Trump
In Brief: What Ukraine Is Sacrificing for Peace
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former MI6 Chief, assess the most recent face-to-face talks between the US and President Zelensky. They examine what we actually know about the framework of a potential agreement, including the NATO membership being taken off the table, what security guarantees for Ukraine would look like in its absence, why Ukra
Why The Arctic Is Russia's New Battleground
This week on One Decision, guest host Rosanna Lockwood and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6 sit down with Ambassador Mike Sfraga, the first U.S. Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, to examine one of the world’s most rapidly changing regions, the Arctic. Ambassador Sfraga, currently Chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, starts the discussion by outlining the seven forces r
In Brief: How An Ex-al Qaeda Fighter Became The Leader of Syria
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, take a deep look at the surprising rise of Ahmed al-Shura, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jalani, from extremist militant and former Abu Ghraib prisoner to the new president of Syria after the sudden fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The discussion examines the colla
Will Maduro's Regime Survive Trump's Pressure?
This week on One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, are joined by Venezuela expert Phil Gunson, Senior Analyst for the International Crisis Group. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the new pressure campaign the Trump administration has placed on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his regime, including the recent air strikes on drug
In Brief: Will Trump's Moscow Mission Lead To a Peace Deal?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, break down the latest meeting in Florida between U.S. and Ukrainian officials and lay out the expectations for Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff's upcoming trip to Moscow, Russia and the likelihood that a peace deal will be negotiated. They also discuss NATO's preparations to potentially
Is Trump Scoring A Peace Deal for Ukraine... Or Putin?
This week on One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, are joined by Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration. In this conversation, McFaul breaks down President Donald Trump’s proposed 28-point peace deal for Ukraine and what it means for American and European security. McFaul also brings personal insight,
In Brief: Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan. What's at Stake for Europe?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, break down President Donald Trump's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. The plan includes Ukraine ceding territory to Russia and never becoming a NATO member state. Ruffini and Dearlove discuss what this plan means not only for Ukrainian security, but also European and Am
How Ukraine's Drone Warfare is Weakening Putin's Army
In this week’s episode of One Decision, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Ben Wallce, former UK Defence Secretary, sit down for a conversation with Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former Ukraine Minister of Defence. Zagorodnyuk reveals how Russia is revolutionizing warfare with rapid weapons innovation and how Ukraine is adjusting to these changes to stay in the fight. They discuss Vladimir Putin's motives for contin
In Brief: What is Trump's Endgame in Venezuela?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Ben Wallace, former UK Defence Secretary, break down President Donald Trump's latest moves in Venezuela, including threatening military strikes and offering Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a chance for talks. The two consider the regional consequences of military action, including Cuba's political reliance on Venezuela and the
Will AI Upend The Global Economy?
In this episode of One Decision, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, sit down with Mohamed El-Erian, renowned economist and the Rene M. Kern Practice Professor of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss how President Donald Trump's tariff policies have shifted the landscape of geo-economics, as countries struggle to adapt to US trade
In Brief: What's Going On Inside Putin's Inner Circle?
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, discuss the BBC's latest crisis after President Donald Trump threatened the broadcaster with legal action over their January 6 documentary. The BBC's coverage of issues such as Israel's role in the war in Gaza, trans rights, climate change, and more have come under fire, forcing top
America Wants to Test Nuclear Weapons. How Would it Actually Work?
In this episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, are joined by Corey Hinderstein, former deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
As an expert on nuclear weapons and testing, Hinderstein breaks down President Trump's latest comments that the United States will resume
In Brief: Why Trump Is Threatening Military Action in Nigeria
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Christina Ruffini and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, unpack President Donald Trump's recent comments on possible military intervention in Nigeria. They examine the political crises taking hold in the Sahel region, including the alleged genocide of Nigerian Christians and militant insurgencies from groups like Boko Haram and ISIS.
Inside China's Chokehold on Rare Earth Minerals
This week on One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove are joined by Liza Tobin, former China Director at the National Security Council under both the Biden and Trump administrations. They discuss China’s takeover of the rare earth mineral market and whether America and its allies are too far behind when it comes to reducing reliance on Beijing’s critical reso
In Brief: Why Trump Is Targeting Venezuela
In this week’s One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, break down the latest developments in Latin America, including the Pentagon’s recent deployment of an aircraft carrier off the coast of Venezuela. The hosts discuss President Donald Trump’s intentions and the role Secretary of State Marco Rubio is playing behind the scenes. Plus, they examine the
When Will Putin's War Machine Break Down?
This week on One Decision, hosts Kate McCann and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove sit down with Russian military scholar Mark Galeotti to examine a war that’s reshaping not only Russia—but the West itself. Galeotti describes how Vladimir Putin, convinced he’s winning, is “burning through Russia’s future” to sustain a failing war. He warns that Europe, which has long sheltered under the Americ
In Brief: Trump's Tomahawk Turnaround
In this episode of One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of Britain's MI6, break down the recent meeting in Washington D.C. between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They assess the ramifications of Trump pulling back from his original stance on supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, the reaction from European leaders, an
Why Is Trump Feuding With India?
In this week’s episode One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove sit down with former Los Angeles Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. Garcetti reflects on his tenure in New Delhi—what he calls America’s “most complex and consequential” diplomatic post—and how the U.S.–India relationship has evolved through conflict, trade wars, and global realign
In Brief: What Comes After the Israel-Gaza Peace Deal?
In this week’s One Decision In Brief, hosts Kate McCann and former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove unpack President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace deal—what it means for Israel, Hamas, and the shifting balance of power across the region. They assess Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s precarious position at home, the risk of a new extremist movement, and whether Arab states can enforce a
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