One Decision

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Four Years of Ukraine War, No End In Sight: Ex-CIA officer Mike Baker Assesses Risks Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

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 assessment of the three crises dominating global affairs right now: whether US military action against Iran is imminent and what it would actually target; why Putin has little incentive to end the war in Ukraine and what could change his calculus; and why Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida, may be closer to collapse than anyone is reporting.

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika (House of Lords).

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Trump's Tariff Plan Just Got Struck Down. What Now? | In Brief Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

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 war against Mexican drug cartels? What role will the Board of Peace play on the global stage beyond Gaza? Is the United Nations still an important force in geopolitics?

In this episode:

What’s next for President Trump’s tariffs after the U.S. Supreme Court’s sweeping decision
Knock-on effects to watch for following the killing of Mexican cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, aka “El Mencho”
The role President Trump’s Board of Peace may play in the rebuilding of Gaza
The diminished relevance of the United Nations in world affairs

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Baroness Ayesha Hazarika (Member of the House of Lords).

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BONUS: Andrew’s Arrest & UK Security Secrets, Former MI6 Head Weighs In Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

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 this special bonus episode:

Why Prince Andrew was arrested for misconduct in public office
The state of the UK justice system and the future of the monarchy
The fallout from the Epstein files: why the UK is acting while the US remains silent
Peter Mandelson’s vulnerability to similar charges
Andrew’s history as “Randy Andy” and “Air Miles Andy”

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and co-host Kate McCann (Political Editor, The Times).

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Will China Invade Taiwan in 2026? Expert's New Insight Reveals "Perfect Storm" Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

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 episode:

The People's Liberation Army’s military readiness
If the United States won’t intervene, would Japan or South Korea?
Decoding the signals from the purge of PLA generals
Xi Jinping's legacy ambitions
Warning signs to watch in 2026

Show Notes:

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (international journalist).

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Munich Security Conference: Germany Takes the Lead, UK Loses Ground | In Brief Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

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 controversial support for Orban in Hungary?

In this episode:

Germany's constitutional change for unprecedented defense spending
Merz's "German Gaullism" - what it means for Europe
Why Starmer's Munich speech fell flat
Israel strategizing with Trump administration regarding Iran
Zelensky's election strategy and Ukraine's battlefield gains

Show Notes:

Royal Navy misses £500m of submarine maintenance | The Times
Le gaullisme allemand de Merz à Munich: discours intégral | Le Grand Continent

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Kate McCann (Political Editor at The Times).

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Assessing Trump's Iran Strategy and the Russia-Ukraine Negotiations with Michael Allen Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

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
Putin's negotiating strategy and the Donbas sticking point
Europe's slow response to Trump's defense spending demands

Michael Allen is a Managing Director at Beacon Global Strategies, co-host of NatSec Matters Podcast, and a former NSC official who ran intelligence strategy and counter-proliferation.

Show Notes:

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Sabrina Singh (former Pentagon Press Secretary).

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EPSTEIN FILES FALLOUT, Plus Iran’s On The Hot Seat Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

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 calls for the PM’s resignation, as documents in the Epstein files reveal that Starmer’s former U.S. ambassador pick, Peter Mandelson, allegedly distributed classified intelligence with Epstein back in 2008.

Sabrina gets into Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s approach to engaging with Iran. Sir Richard explains Iran’s strategy for running out the clock on the United States, and why past nuclear negotiations remain influential for both sides.

Ukraine does not appear willing to surrender the Donbas region to Russia. Sir Richard and Sabrina analyze the war’s impact on the strained Russian economy. As casualties on both sides continue to mount, Russians are fleeing the country at rates not seen in decades to escape the conflict and conscription.

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"I Don't Know If the U.S. Would Defend Us" | Denmark Defense Committee Chair on NATO Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Trump's ICE at the Winter Olympics: Security, Surveillance & World Cup Controversy | Former MI6 Chief Explains Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

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IRAN: Trump's next target? Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

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).

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