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 reshaping the high north including rapid climate change, shipping strategies, and a desire for access among military global powers. The conversation explores the impact of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, shifting the balance of power along the northern region, complicating Russia’s long-term strategic goals. The group further unpacks Russia’s extensive militarization across the Arctic, including new bases, island fortifications, and the significance of its Northern Fleet on the Kola Peninsula. Ambassador Sfraga further explains why the Bering Strait is becoming one of the world’s most important corridors  and why the U.S. needs infrastructure investments to challenge both Russia and China’s influence. The discussion also details the speed of Arctic warming and the effects on global weather systems, coastal communities, food security, fisheries, and even catastrophic storms now reaching Alaska.

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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 collapse of the Assad regime and Ahmed Al-Shura’s rise to power. The conversation also sheds light on the international intelligence behind the scenes of al-Shura's rise, including Israel’s military aid, the U.K.'s involvement, and what the U.S. actually knew as the events started to unfold. Finally, they examine the difficulty of running a country like Syria and whether al-Shura can survive the political, ethnic, and religious tightrope he now walks.

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 boats off the Venezuelan coast. Gunson, who lives in Caracas, Venezuela, explains how Cuban intelligence continues to help Maduro maintain control over Venezuela and its military, why the military sees no benefit in turning against Maduro, and how gold mining and evading sanctions keep the regime financially afloat. The conversation explores why Maduro's dictatorship continues to endure, the divided Venezuelan opposition, and the risks of the next dangerous power struggle if Maduro falls. Gunson also shares vivid insights into daily life in Caracas, from blackouts to food shortages, and shares his thoughts on what it would take for Venezuela to move toward democracy.

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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 confront Russia and whether Germany could replace the United States and take the lead in NATO. 

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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, reflecting on his time watching Vladimir Putin up close, from meeting him in 1991 when he first entered politics to becoming the increasingly paranoid dictator he is today. Plus, McFaul dissects China's precarious geopolitical position, caught between its strategic partnership with Russia and their need to avoid conflict with the U.S., and what a win for Ukraine would mean not just for halting Putin's army, but also for possibly creating the first real opening in years for political change inside the Kremlin.

Michael McFaul’s new book, Autocrats vs Democrats: China, Russia, America and the New Global Disorder, out now: https://t.co/fLOoG1j8me

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 American security, and how Europe is pushing back on the plan. Plus, the hosts examine Trump’s warm reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and what this could signify for the future of the U.S.'s relationship with the Middle East

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 continued aggression, including his vision for Crimea and how Ukraine's defense technology has changed the landscape of modern warfare. They also question whether NATO is prepared for a Russian attack and explore the ramifications of the war on the West and its allies.

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 Latin American drug supply chain. Sir Ben shares how Venezuelan and Colombian drug operatives are now learning high-stakes defense technology. Plus, Kate asks Sir Ben whether the UK Prime Minister should ask Trump not to sue the BBC, and if Trump should be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 policies. They also examine the state of the US dollar and whether its position as the leading reserve currency may be at risk. Plus, how AI will change the global economy and how a universal basic income could protect against drastic labor impacts.

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 executives to resign. Plus, the hosts examine Vladimir Putin's close aid, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's recent withdrawal from the public and what that signals about Russia's leadership.

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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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 testing of its nuclear weapons and what that means for foreign adversaries like Russia, China, and North Korea. She lays out the significance of a robust nuclear weapons state and the responsibilities attached, and what the process of testing actually entails. Plus, Hinderstein shares the story of when she first located the nuclear centrifuge facility in Natanz, Iran and how it shaped the legacy of the JCPOA. 

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

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