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The Dark State
by The Dark State
The Dark State is a bio-monthly podcast about the security threats facing modern Ireland and the world. The podcast is hosted by the journalist John Mooney, who interviews experts on organised crime, terrorism, national security and defence to bring you an inside perspective on the most pressing issues of the day.
Episodes
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Dark Skies: Inside the Russian Drone Incident
The recent drone incursion off the coast of Dublin during President Zelensky's visit exposed gaping failures in Ireland's ability to protect the state and visiting heads of state. The former air corps pilot Kevin Phipps and the former naval commander Tony Geraghty join John Mooney to discuss the...
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The Russian Spy Ship Yantar Returns
The Russian spy ship Yantar is now heading for Irish waters. Purpose-built for clandestine undersea operations, it specialises in covert seabed missions. I’m resharing this interview with Aaron Amick, a retired US Navy sonarman who served with America’s subsurface fleet.
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Russia's Crime-Terror Nexus
Dr Kacper Rekawek discusses Russia's use of organised crime gangs to conduct hybrid warfare across Europe. The conversation explores how Russia utilizes criminal networks to achieve its geopolitical objectives, the implications for European security, and the specific threats faced by Ireland.
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Russia's Threat to Europe and Ireland
In this episode of The Dark State, John Mooney is joined by James Nixey, an expert in international relations and security affairs at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, to dissect the looming threat posed by Russia to Europe and its implications for Ireland. From Russia's...
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The United States of Extremism
In this episode of The Dark State, John Mooney talks to Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware, authors of God, Guns, and Sedition: Far Right Terrorism in America. The guests provide an overview of their book, exploring the roots and contemporary manifestations of white supremacy. They discuss the…
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Spies: A Century of Espionage
John Mooney talks to Calder Walton, one of the world’s leading intelligence and national security scholars, about his ground-breaking book, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West. The conversation extends beyond historical analysis as Walton draws pertinent parallels to the…
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The Politics of Immigration
John Mooney speaks to the former government advisor and Irish Times columnist Gerard Howlin about the government's handling of immigration. Will anti-immigrant campaigners run for election and eat into the Sinn Fein vote? This is the first of two podcasts on the issue.
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Safeguarding Ireland: A Deep Dive into Cybersecurity
Join host John Mooney for a compelling conversation with Eoin Keary of Edgescan as they delve into the critical landscape of cybersecurity in Ireland. Keary also sheds light on Edgescan's mission to fortify Irish businesses against cyber threats and shares his expert projections, forecasting the...
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Dublin Burns
The Far Right managed to encourage hundreds of people to engage in violence and looting in Dublin city on Thursday night. Gardai were attacked, buses set on fire and shops looted. John Mooney speaks to Ciaran O'Connor from the Institute for Stratedgic Dialogue about what happened, how it was...
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Disbanded: UVF East Belfast
John Mooney talks to Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst about the UVF statement ordering its East Belfast Brigade to stand down.
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Ireland's Unfolding National Security Crisis
John Mooney talks to the Fianna Fail senator Lisa Chambers on the likely appointment of an external candidate to protect Ireland's national security.
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Operation Harvast: The IRA Border Campaign
John Mooney talks to Barry Flynn about Operation Harvest, the IRA Border Campaign 1956 - 1962. Flynn is the author of Soldiers of Folly.
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The IRA: The Origins Of A Name
There have been many different IRAs but where does the name come from and when did it become associated with terrorism. John Mooney talks to Dr Séan Ó Duibhir.
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Why I Quit The Force
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) says morale is on the floor promptring gardai to retire early or in some cases resign. John Mooney talks to Laura Young about why she quit the force.
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Briefing: John Gilligan
Why do criminals seek out attention and publicity?
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The PSNI in Crisis
John Mooney talks to Roy McComb, the former deputy director of Britain's National Crime Agency about the fallout from the online publication of the names, ranks and posting of every police officer and police staff in Northern Ireland.
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PSNI Data Breach
John Mooney and Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst discuss the accidential disclosure of information about all of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's serving officers and staff. What are the ramifications?
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Beijing's latest efforts to make friends in Ireland
Liu Jianchao, a senior figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who stands accused of heading up the illegal repatriation of pro-democracy activists who oppose the regime, visited Ireland last month to meet a government minister, politicians and a think tank. What was the purpose of his visit?...
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A Secret History of Smuggling
John Mooney talks to James Doherty about the history and evolution of Irish smuggling from the 1700s to modern times.
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Air Defence, Air Space
Reposting this episode of the Dark State from last year which covered the not so secret agreetment which allows the Royal Air Force to protect Irish skies. Our guest is George Allison of the UK Defence Journal who spoke about Ireland's inability to patrol its own airspace.
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Leaked! (Free Episode)
John Mooney talks to Joanne Stocker, a defence analyst at Storyful about the leaking of highly classified US intelligence documents.
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Finland Joins Nato: Analysis
John Mooney talks to Eoin McNamara about Finland's membership of the Alliance
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Animal Crime
John Mooney talks to Mark Randell about dog fighting and other types of serious crime involving animals. Randell is a former anti-terrorist officer who now trains law enforcement in animal crime.
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The New IRA's Race to Kill
John Mooney and Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst provide analysis on the New IRA attack on DCI John Caldwell.
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China, the EU and Spy Ballons
John Mooney talks to Raffaello Pantucci about the relationship between China and the EU. Pantucci also provides insight into the worsening relations between Beijing and Washington, and those spy balloons.
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Understanding Ireland's Anti-Immigration Protests
John Mooney discusses the anti-immigration protests taking place across Ireland with Dr Orla Lynch of University College Cork.
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Hezbollah: The murder of Private Seán Rooney
Many of the podcast's supporters asked for this episode on Hezbollah and the murder of Private Seán Rooney to be made available for everyone to hear to counter the ongoing disinformation campaign on his murder. John Mooney talks to Hanin Ghaddar of the Washington Institute about Hezbollah and its...
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Talking to the Terrorists: Dissident Republicans
John Mooney talks to Tim O'Connor, one of the four members of the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), the statuatory body which monitors the progress being made to end paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. O'Connor discusses the IRC's fifth report and why its encouraging the Irish and British...
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The Future of Intelligence
John Mooney talks to Dr Dan Lomas of Brunel University about the changing nature of intelligence gathering and spying. Will OSINT replace the classic intelligence agent? And what role does intelligence play into the modern world.
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Winter is Coming: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Dr Lance Davies of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst provides an assessment of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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PTSD: The impact of violence on journalists
John Mooney talks to Leona O'Neill, the co-editor of Breaking: Trauma in the Newsroom. O'Neill discusses the mental health issues experienced by journalists who write about organised crime, terrorism and war. Breaking is out now.
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National Security Policy: James Lawless TD
John Mooney talks to James Lawless TD about Fianna Fail's adoption of a policy to enhance Ireland's national security.
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Kinahan Inc: The Collapse of the Cartel?
Repost: John Mooney is joined by the journalist Michael O'Toole and Prof Anna Sergi of Essex University to discuss the international effort to disband the Kinahan cartel and bring its leadership to justice. What does the future hold for Christy Kinahan and his two sons? Is this the end of the...
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Russia's mobilisation: Analysis
What are the consequences of Russia's decision to conscript young men to fight in Ukraine? And what are the consequences for European and indeed Irish security. John Mooney discusses the issue with Prof Neil Robinson.
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Violent Dissident Republicans
John Mooney and Dr Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst discuss violent dissident republicans. Is this violent movement a spent force or simply biding its time? The full show is available to subscribers on Patreon and Apple Podcasts
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Ireland's Evolving Attitude To Defence
John Mooney talks to Claire Cogan of Behaviour Wise about her latest research into Ireland's changing views on membership of Nato, joining an EU army, food security and defence spending. The full length show is available to subscribers on Patreon and Apple Podcasts.
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The Fugitives: The hunt for the Kinahan cartel
John Mooney talks to Michael O'Toole about the international manhunt for Daniel Kinahan and the leadership of his cartel. Full episode available to subscribers on Patreon and Apple Podcasts
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The Rise of the New Right
Right wing extremists are using the housing crisis and the influx of Ukrainian refugees to stir resentment using more measured tactics. John Mooney speaks to Cianan O'Connor from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on the rise of the New Right, its use of disinformation, the security threat it...
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Myanmar, war crimes and OSINT
John Mooney talks to Tom Jarvis of Myanmar Witness about the organisation's use of open source intelligence to investigate war crimes and human rights abuses in the Southeast Asian country.
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Neutrality: Ireland and Europe
John Mooney talks to Dr Alex Clarkson of Kings College on where Ireland fits into Europe's security and defence apparatus. This is the first of four episodes which examine the future of Irish neutrality in a rapidly changing world.
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Paramilitary Peacekeeping
John Mooney is joined by Dr Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst to discuss the ongoing issue of paramilitary peacekeeping by loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland
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Can Ireland learn from Estonia's approach to defence?
John Mooney discusses Estonia's approach to defence with Marko Mihkelson, the chair of the Estonian Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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An Garda Síochána: 100 years Keeping People Safe
The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris hosted an event at Dublin's Gresham hotel to commemorate the centenary of the inaugural meeting to establish An Garda Síochána following Ireland's declaration as a Republic. This event consisted of historical talks on the foundation of An Garda Síochána followed...
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Cyber Criminals: Who are they?
Who becomes a cybercriminal? Are they all disenfranchised young men who hack networks from darkened rooms or are they disadvantaged young men trying to earn a living? Are they involved in organised crime or do they work for themselves? John Mooney speaks to Dr Jonathan Lusthaus, the Director of…
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QAnon: The Evolving Security Threat?
What is QAnon. Is it a cult, a popular movement, a community, a way to fight back against evil, a new religion or a domestic terrorism threat. Or is it a conspiracy theory of everything? These are just some of the questions which Mike Rothschild has asked about the movement which is now…
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Ukraine, Info Wars and Georgia
Natia Seskuria is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. She also served at the Office of the National Security Council of Georgia and is a lecturer in Russian Politics. She discusses the invasion of Ukraine, info wars and the threat posed by the Kremlin to Georgia...
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Ukraine Diary Feb 28: Fighting in the Skies
How are the people of Ukraine coping during the Russian invasion? John Mooney talks to Nadia Dobrianska, who spent the weekend making petrol bombs.
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Ireland and Russia: The View from Ukraine
The Dark State is making key episodes on Ukraine free to listen to keep the public informed during this crisis. How do Ukrainians living in Ireland feel about the possibility of a Russian invasion? John Mooney is joined by Sergiy Adamenko, who fought against Russian backed separatists when…
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Ukraine Diary Feb 25: Escape from Kyiv
How are the people of Ukraine coping during the Russian invasion? What is it like to hear missiles rain down on your country? Do you fight or flee? John Mooney talks to Nadia Dobrianska, who has just fled from Kyiv with her family. The Dark State is making key episodes on Ukraine free to listen…
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Don't Blink: How to Confront Russia
How should Europe confront Russian aggression? Will Russia ever change its ways. If not, what can be done about it? John Mooney speaks to Keir Giles, the acclaimed expert on Russian affairs.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Dark State is a bio-monthly podcast about the security threats facing modern Ireland and the world. The podcast is hosted by the journalist John Mooney, who interviews experts on organised crime, terrorism, national security and defence to bring you an inside perspective on the most pressing issues of the day.
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How many episodes does The Dark State have?
The Dark State currently has 69 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Dark State about?
The Dark State is a bio-monthly podcast about the security threats facing modern Ireland and the world. The podcast is hosted by the journalist John Mooney, who interviews experts on organised crime, terrorism, national security and defence to bring you an inside perspective on the most pressing...
How often does The Dark State release new episodes?
The Dark State has 69 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to The Dark State on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Dark State?
The Dark State is created and hosted by The Dark State.
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