S9 Ep21: Espresso Martini | Southport Killer, South Korea’s Political Crisis, Trump’s Team Navigates Middle East Ceasefires, and TV’s Spy Thriller Renaissance

In this episode, we look at the horrific Southport murders that
have sparked debates on mental health and the nature of
terrorism, South Korea's plunge deeper into its worst political
crisis in decades, and Trump’s new national security team
scrambles to save ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon—while his
rhetoric stirs fresh controversy. Plus, a Russian spy ship plays
cat-and-mouse near UK waters, a daring Dutch gold heist stuns
investigators, and why spy thrillers are making a big comeback in
an age of distrust.

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https://youtu.be/89dfJqAZq4c

Articles discussed in today’s episode

"How red flags over Southport killer were repeatedly missed" by
Sean Seddon & Ian Aikman | BBC News:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78w7nlwz9po

"South Korea’s Impeached Leader is Indicted on Insurrection
Charges" by Choe Sang-Hun | The New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/26/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-indicted-martial-law.html


"South Korea’s Leadership Crisis, Explained" by Choe Sang-Hun |
The New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/world/asia/south-korea-impeachment-yoon-explained.html


"Trump team avoids Middle East escalation in first weekend in
office" by Barak Ravid | Axios:
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/trump-middle-east-gaza-lebanon-israel-ceasefires


"UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship seen near British waters"
by Becky Morton, Jonathan Beale & Damian Grammaticas | BBC
News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjv7qgpw28o

"Thieves use explosives to steal gold 'masterpieces' from Dutch
museum" by Ian Aikman | BBC News:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxkpnnlpdvo

"'The baddies reflect the worries of today’: How TV spy thrillers
are booming in an age of distrust" by Laura Martin | BBC News:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250124-why-tv-spy-thrillers-are-booming-right-now


Chris's milk frother:
https://salter.com/products/aspen-milk-frother-500w.html

Chris's interview with Melissa Leo: https://pod.fo/e/27f01a

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Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.
Music by Andrew R. Bird

Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence,
covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a
way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris
Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events
through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring
expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.