One Decision

Latest Episodes:

The Best (and Worst) Foreign Policy Decisions of 2024 Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

In the last episode of 2024, Times Radio political editor Kate McCann sits down with Prashant Rao of Semafor and Margot Haddad of France's TF1 to discuss how the year's biggest developments in foreign policy have reshaped the current global political landscape. They share what they believe are the worst and best decisions of 2024, the current state of war conflicts and how they will evolve in 2025, what to expect from a second Trump administration, and the new major players emerging on the global stage. Plus how climate change could shape international relations, the possibility of a trade war, and more.

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Ex-US Diplomat on His Time in Moscow, Ukraine, & Putin's Next Move Dec 19, 2024

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In this week's episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and Leon Panetta, former United States Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director, sit down with Ambassador John Sullivan. Sullivan is a former Deputy Secretary of State and served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Trump and Biden presidential administrations. They discuss the reality of navigating diplomatic relations with Russia, Sullivan's experience in Moscow at the start of the war in Ukraine, and what the fall of the Syrian Assad regime could mean for Putin's grip on power. Plus, Sullivan and Panetta share an insider view of how foreign diplomats navigate life in Russia and the number one thing a spy needs to do to protect themselves under the Kremlin's watchful eye.

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Ex-MI6 Chief on Syria, Biden's Deputy Secretary of State Talks China, Iran Dec 12, 2024

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The man who used to be known only as C, Sir Richard Dearlove, analyzes the stunning fall of a half century Assad family rule in Syria. He shares insights on who was behind the successful final push to remove the dictator in Damascus and what's next for the nation. Plus, the former spymaster and co-host Christina Ruffini travel to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a conversation with Ambassador Wendy Sherman, who served as the United States’ last Deputy Secretary of State. She is currently a Joint Senior Fellow with Harvard's Belfer Center and Center for Public Leadership. They discuss what's driving the recalibration of the world order and South Korea's marital law crisis. Ambassador Sherman also shares behind-the-scenes stories from her diplomatic visits and negotiations all around the world, including the unforgettable incident involving a Chinese spy balloon that was detected in the United States.

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Sudan's Civil War: An Inside Look with Ex-MI6 Chief Dec 05, 2024

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In this week's episode, One Decision hosts Kasia Madera and resident spymaster, former Chief of Britain's MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, are joined by the New York Times Magazine staff writer Nicholas Casey to uncover the sober reality of the Sudanese civil war. Earlier this year, Casey was embedded with the Sudanese People's Movement Army, a rebel group fighting for democracy. He shares what it was like to report on the world's "forgotten war" and why peaceful intervention in the region has been largely absent. Plus, how countries like Egypt, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates are playing a major role in funding war efforts.

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Why Qatar Stopped Gaza Talks & On Board Blinken’s Last Flight to G7 in Italy Nov 28, 2024

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In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini travels with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Rome, where foreign ministers gathered for the final Group of Seven (G7) meeting of the Biden administration. She and resident spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, the former Chief of Britain's MI6, sit down with Qatari Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Majed al-Ansari. They discuss Qatar's role as a mediator in the Middle Eastern conflict and their stance on foreign defense for Ukraine. The conversation also covers the political future of Afghanistan and the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

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Ex-CIA Director and Trump’s Former National Security Advisor on Middle East, Ending Ukraine War Nov 21, 2024

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In this week’s episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini and former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta sit down with Ambassador and former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. O’Brien, who served as National Security Advisor during President Donald Trump’s first administration, shares his thoughts on several topics, including the Cabinet selections of the incoming President, global concern for Ukraine, the Israeli hostage crisis, and more. O’Brien also offers insights into President Trump's decision-making process and shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Presidential Daily Briefs.

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Ex-MI6 Chief on Europe’s Response to Trump’s Victory, Cabinet Picks Nov 14, 2024

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In this week’s episode, One Decision’s Kasia Madera speaks with our resident spymaster, former Chief of Britain’s MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to talk about what President-Elect Donald Trump’s next term could mean for relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, and what his Cabinet picks could mean for the future of global affairs. Plus, the UK’s former Secretary of State for Defence, Penny Mordaunt, joins the conversation to discuss the state of the UK’s Conservative party, the importance of defense spending for Ukraine, and the case for Israeli defense. Mordaunt played a key role in King Charles III’s coronation and shares her thoughts on the significance of ancient English traditions.

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Ex-CIA Chief on What Trump's Return Means for the World Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, One Decision's Christina Ruffini and guest co-host, Times Radio Political Editor Kate McCann, discuss the reactions in Washington and Europe following former President Donald Trump's historic election to another term in the White House. Also, resident spymaster and co-host, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta joins the conversation to discuss what we can expect during this transition period, the implications for foreign relations under President-elect Donald Trump's second administration, and the recent rise of anti-incumbent sentiment across the globe.

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Who Will Be in the Situation Room with Trump and Harris? Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

Next week, American voters will decide who will become the next President of the United States: former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. In this week's episode, One Decision’s Christina Ruffini speaks to Vivian Salama, Wall Street Journal's national politics reporter, to see what she's watching ahead of the election. Later, Christina sits down with her co-host, former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta, to discuss what the world can expect following the election, the candidates’ foreign policy plans, potential Cabinet members, and how a new administration— whether Trump or Harris—could influence Western alliances.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out a previous episode of One Decision with former National Security Advisor John Bolton, which features our other spymaster, former head of Britain's MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove.

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Ex-MI6 Chief on Moscow’s Moldovan Meddling, Prime Minister of Iceland on Arctic Threats Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Christina Ruffini and One Decision's resident spymaster, Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, discuss former President Donald Trump's recent complaint accusing United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Party of election interference in support of Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. They also talk about the Israeli intelligence that led to the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Russia's potential interference in Moldova's recent election to join the European Union. Later, Sir Richard and Christina sit down with Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktssonto talk about Iceland's strategic importance amid concerns over increased cooperation from Russia and China in the Arctic.

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