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One Decision

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Rating
★★★★★
4.6
from
69 reviews
This podcast has
338 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2021/08/31
Latest episode
2026/02/05
Average duration
27 min.
Release period
4 days

Description

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.

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"I Don't Know If the U.S. Would Defend Us" | Denmark Defense Committee Chair on NATO
2026/02/05
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 How Trump’s Greenland threats are fracturing NATO  Why the "Chinese threat" in Greenland is "exaggerated to the extreme" Would Denmark block a Greenland independence referendum to stop US annexation? Europe's defense spending surge  Why allies can no longer depend on America With trust between NATO allies at its lowest point in decades, Jarlov draws a hard red line: Denmark will not accept territorial demands from any country. He reveals how Trump's threats have backfired, bringing Denmark and Greenland closer together while pushing Europe away from relying on U.S. military defense. Plus: What "losing a friend" means when that friend is a global superpower. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump's ICE at the Winter Olympics: Security, Surveillance & World Cup Controversy | Former MI6 Chief Explains
2026/02/03
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 hosts and participants in Olympic games, citing past examples from the games in London, Russia and Germany. Kate addresses the controversies that have already cropped up around the US hosting this year’s FIFA World Cup, from spectator screenings to the potential for overstayed visas.  They also discuss whether President Trump has overplayed his hand with ICE as an enforcement agency, and if the United States can handle the international scrutiny with regards to policing and violence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
IRAN: Trump's next target?
2026/01/29
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
In Brief: What Xi Jinping's Military Purge Means for the West
2026/01/27
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
Trump's Power Play: Ex-Ambassador On What's Really Happening in Venezuela, Cuba, and the Panama Canal
2026/01/22
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
In Brief: One Year of Trump 2.0 - What’s the Global Impact?
2026/01/20
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
Why AI Is Making Espionage Much More Dangerous
2026/01/15
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
In Brief: Why Greenland and Iran Matter to Trump
2026/01/13
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. Sir Richard outlines Greenland’s strategic importance, highlighting its critical geographic position between North America, Russia, and China, and addresses the controversy surrounding Trump’s comments about full ownership of the island. The discussion then shifts to Iran, as protests intensify and the regime comes under economic pressure. Sir Richard examines Iran’s vulnerabilities and argues that internal divisions within its security forces will more likely determine the regime’s future than U.S. involvement. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump's Venezuela Raid. A Warning for Europe
2026/01/08
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 the future of global politics. Gordon begins by offering a candid explanation of what is really driving Donald Trump’s decisions and warns whether America is taking extraordinary risks without a credible plan for what comes next if its strategy fails. Gordon and Wallace argue that the United States is moving away from a rules-based international system and toward a “spheres of influence” approach, aligning the US more closely with the worldviews of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and question the future of Western foreign policy. They also discuss Europe’s inadequate response, whether divisions between countries have made it hard for Europe to respond effectively, and what steps Europe could take to become less dependent on the U.S to better handle global conflict on its own.  Gordon closes with a discussion on the growth of public fatigue in the United States after decades of global leadership and considers whether this fatigue could limit America’s ability to reclaim its former international role in the post-Trump era. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Brief: How Trump Captured Maduro
2026/01/06
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 conflicts with China or Russia. Kate and Ben also consider whether the move points to a wider strategic approach by Donald Trump or to a greater desire to use similar tactics against other countries. The discussion explores the potential consequences for Cuba, Colombia, and Greenland, as well as Europe's response. They question whether the UK and its allies are showing enough strength and determination, and why Greenland could become a new point of tension between Europe, the United States, and Russia. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ex-Spy Chiefs on What to Watch for in 2026
2026/01/01
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 Deputy Director of the FBI. Together, they explore the challenges posed by Russia and China’s alliance of convenience, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, and address the disastrous impact of AI-created disinformation and deepfakes.  The intelligence leaders also discuss Chinese espionage across Europe, cyber threats to critical infrastructure, and the growing vulnerability of these systems, and raise legal and constitutional concerns around the conflict in Venezuela. The episode ends with predictions for 2026, including potential regime changes in the Middle East and what's next for the war in Ukraine.  Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Brief: China’s National Security Law Explained
2025/12/30
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 and the dangers posed by its infrastructure control. They also discuss the UK’s experience with Huawei and Europe's concern about commercial dependencies on China. The episode sheds light on the case of imprisoned Hong Kong Democracy activist and British national Jimmy Lai, raising questions about how the West should further engage with Beijing. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Year in Review: Foreign Policy in 2025
2025/12/25
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 modern foreign policy. The conversation begins addressing global instability, technological change driven by AI, and a shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, and how this shift has shaken allied confidence and raised doubts about U.S. commitments. The panel examines Israel’s efforts to weaken Iran-backed groups across the region, the collapse of the Assad regime, and U.S.-led strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The panel also discusses U.S policy with Ukraine and Russia, the perceived willingness to pressure Ukraine into giving up territory and what that could mean for European security and the ability to deter future aggression. The episode wraps with reflections on the year’s most bizarre moments and the enduring role of political humor and satire during times of geopolitical change. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Brief: Havana Syndrome. What is it...And is it Real?
2025/12/23
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 Richard speaks on his intelligence experience, providing real-world examples of Cold War espionage, including Soviet listening devices hidden in embassy walls, and how the accidental use of a laser beam allowed for the interception of private conversations. They examine how advanced eavesdropping tools and listening devices might unintentionally harm U.S. officials and whether the government has done enough to investigate cases or support those affected with long-term trauma.  Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Threat To China's Superpower Status
2025/12/18
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 administration. They examine China's economic posturing, including Xi Jinping's reluctance to craft a stimulus package, Beijing's confidence in its technological advancements, and why tariffs have failed to gain the leverage Washington expected. They also examine the tension between Trump's trade-focused approach and U.S. lawmakers security concerns. The group debates whether China’s assertiveness reflects genuine strength or hides deeper vulnerabilities in its political and economic system, and questions what China’s recent confidence could mean for a potential Taiwan invasion in 2027. The conversation also looks at how China’s rise is shaping global order, including Europe's increasing dependence on China and the risks that come with it, and considers whether the West is truly prepared for what lies ahead. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

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4.6 out of 5
69 reviews
★★★★★
Sepsl45 2025/08/07
Brilliant
Unsettling, scary, very insightful and intelligent. Thank you Sir Richard and the amazing commentators
★☆☆☆☆
tj0426! 2025/08/30
Terrible interview
Count how many times Riffini’s questions start with “it was the wrong thing to do but it’s working.”
★★★★★
podcastgal123 2023/10/17
Really insightful!
Love tuning in!
★★★☆☆
brenace.rn 2025/04/24
Conversation with Rep Tim Burchett
I’m disappointed in your weak questioning of the Rep Tim Burchett, why didn’t you ask him if he agreed on cutting benefits for the poor to give ta...
★★☆☆☆
Cover Your Assets 2025/03/06
Plows a furrow of bias
At times the show offers great perspectives on international affairs, but for US perspective, it relies on Democrat "reliables" such as Leon Pancetta,...
★★★☆☆
M3Malta 2023/11/29
Great Platform unfortunately skewed
I love most everything about this podcast except for their tendency to present what should be objective journalism in a skewed subjective narrative fi...
★★★★★
Scotty Baby 929 2022/10/27
Brilliant and Provocative
Some of the finest foreign policy discussions available on world issues. Congratulations on your first year! Thanks for providing your unsurpassed ana...
★☆☆☆☆
Cat939 2022/11/26
Dumb Propaganda
Dumb Propaganda
★★★★★
Tjhhhhhh 2022/10/21
Excellent podcast find
Thoroughly enjoy this podcast, even as some me who lives outside the UK. It’s a mature dialogue around difficult topics.
★★★★★
Dinos dad 2021/12/19
Absolutely amazing
Wonderful information and commentary
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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