The Dark State: Recent Episodes
The Dark State
The Dark State is an influential 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. Subscribers can access new episodes on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Some episodes are made freely available to promote a better understanding of security issues.
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 geopolitical goals to the role of hybrid warfare and Ireland's vulnerabilities, this episode explores the complex dynamics of European security and Ireland's position within it.
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 perception of white supremacy as a threat to democracy, its evolution over time, and the role of technology in spreading its ideologies. It also examines how the American Far Right is influencing similar movements across the world.Ware debunks common misconceptions, highlighting the violent nature of groups like the KKK, while Hoffman explores the intersection of white supremacy with other extremist movements. They also touch upon recruitment strategies and the international dimensions of white supremacist movements. This show is a must listen episode for anyone interested in the influence of the American Far Right on Irish anti-immigrant groups.
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 present geopolitical landscape, offering valuable insights and lessons applicable to the contemporary challenges posed by the ascendance of China. This podcast promises a rigorous exploration of espionage history and its enduring relevance to ongoing global dynamics.
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.
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 emerging cyber threats anticipated to surface in 2024.
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 organised online and what's likely to happen next.
John Mooney talks to Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst about the UVF statement ordering its East Belfast Brigade to stand down.
John Mooney talks to the Fianna Fail senator Lisa Chambers on the likely appointment of an external candidate to protect Ireland's national security.
John Mooney talks to Barry Flynn about Operation Harvest, the IRA Border Campaign 1956 - 1962. Flynn is the author of Soldiers of Folly.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
John Mooney talks to Laura Harth of Safeguard Defenders.
John Mooney talks to James Doherty about the history and evolution of Irish smuggling from the 1700s to modern times.
John Mooney talks to Dr Dave McInerney, who has just retired from AGS after spending decades working with Ireland's ethnic minorities.
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.
John Mooney talks to Joanne Stocker, a defence analyst at Storyful about the leaking of highly classified US intelligence documents.
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.
John Mooney and Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst provide analysis on the New IRA attack on DCI John Caldwell.
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.
John Mooney discusses the anti-immigration protests taking place across Ireland with Dr Orla Lynch of University College Cork.
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 alleged involvement in the brutal murder of Private Seán Rooney. Ghaddar discusses Hezbollah, its ideology, complex relationship with Iran and the worsening security situation in south Lebanon where Irish troops are serving with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). She also offers her views on how Ireland, the EU and the international community should react to Rooney's murder. Ghaddar is a Friedmann Fellow in The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.
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 governments to engage with paramilitary organisations to bring about their disbandment.
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.
Dr Lance Davies of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst provides an assessment of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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.
John Mooney talks to James Lawless TD about Fianna Fail's adoption of a policy to enhance Ireland's national security.
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 cartel?
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.
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
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.
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
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 presents and where its headed.
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.
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.
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
John Mooney discusses Estonia's approach to defence with Marko Mihkelson, the chair of the Estonian Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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 by a panel discussion entitled "Has An Garda Síochána lived up to the ideals of those who met in this hotel 100 years ago?” The panel consisted of Commissioner Harris, Dr. Liam Mc Niffe, Michael Staines, Nora Owen, Nóirín O Sullivan and Sergeant John Reynolds. The Dark State would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Garda Press Office for facilitating the broadcast of this podcast.
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 The Human Cybercriminal Project in the Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford. Dr Lusthaus has spent years meeting those involved in cyber crime whilst researching the issue. He discusses what he discovered in this week's episode.
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 considered a very real threat to democracies around the world.
Rothschild is the author of the Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything.
What are the key findings of the report published by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Will the government use the contents of this bulky report to bring about change, or will it be ignored. John Mooney is joined by Declan Power and the retired colonel Dorcha Lee.
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 with John Mooney.
How are the people of Ukraine coping during the Russian invasion? John Mooney talks to Nadia Dobrianska, who spent the weekend making petrol bombs.
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 fighting broke out in the Donbas region.
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 to keep the public informed during this crisis. Please share this podcast
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.
Information has become weaponised. Russia and other hostile states have pioneered the use of information warfare to attack their enemies. Is disinformation a threat to national security? And if so, how should governments confront it? John Mooney speaks to Nina Jankowicz, the author of How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News and the Future of Conflict.
John Mooney is joined by Declan Power, Michael O'Toole and Tony Hearty to discuss the threats which Ireland is likely to face in 2022. Organised crime, dissident republicanism and loyalism coupled with Ireland's inability to confront hostile states are discussed by the panel.
Global warming is the single greatest security threat Ireland is ever likely to face. To discuss this complex issue, John Mooney is joined by Mark Mellet, the recently retired Defence Forces Chief of Staff.
The Irish government has just published its proposals to protect the integrity of the telecommunications sector. Dr Steven Conlon provides an analysis of the Electronic Communications Security Measures (ECSM).
Little Blue Heroes is a charity set up to support sick children and their families.
It’s a fantastic charity. The children are made honorary gardai and give little uniforms, miniature garda patrol cars and motorbikes. They are even given their own ID number.
The charity also organises for these youngsters to visit garda stations where they meet local officers who take them on patrol.
So this month we are raising funds to support this valuable work.
John Mooney is joined by Karl Heller, one of the charity’s founders to tell you about the wonderful children who become little blue heroes.
What is the future of the Irish Defence Forces? Years of neglect by successive Irish governments has undermined its ability to fulfil its mission. Today’s programme looks at the pending crisis facing the Irish military?
Will it be capable of protecting Ireland from external threats in the years and decades ahead?
Will a new government commission on the future of defence make any difference?
Or is it too late. Will the Irish public ultimately end up paying a heavy price for the state’s indifference to defence.
John Mooney talks to Dr Cathal Berry TD and Conor King of RACO, which represents commissioned officers.
The region is synonymous with paramilitaries, smuggling and money laundering.
John Mooney discusses the unique challenges that policing the border presents with Pat Marry and Ken Pennington, former police officers who have vast experiences of the region.
Afghanistan has been lost to the Taliban. Will it once again become a safe haven for Islamic terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Might the US withdrawal inspire a new generation of jihadists. If so, what are the consequences for the West?
John Mooney speaks to Bruce Hoffman, the acclaimed author, critical thinker and expert on terrorism and counter-terrorism. He is a Professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Should Ireland continue to send troops abroad to participate in peacekeeping missions? Ireland has been sending soldiers into conflict zones since 1958 but has the time come to rethink this policy?
Do Irish soldiers gain anything from the experience or are such missions just an additional drain on a depleted military’s resources? John Mooney discuss the issue with Prof Ray Murphy of NUI Galway and Declan Power, an independent defence expert.
The Omagh bombing of August 1998 was the largest single loss of life in the Troubles.
29 people and unborn twin girls lost their lives when a Real IRA car bomb exploded. Among those who died were young children, parents and grandparents.
Today we ask if the atrocity altered the course of violent dissident republicanism and heralded the end of car bomb attacks?
John Mooney speaks to Iain Turner of Balaclava Street, the acclaimed blog which provides a unique insight in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Turner provides an insight into the secret history of the loyalist paramilitary group and discusses its opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
They haven’t gone away you know. Loyalist paramilitaries are making their presence felt once again.
The Ulster Defence Association, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando are all united in their opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
This week we return to the subject of loyalist terrorism. Are they still a threat? And could we see the emergence of a new dissident loyalist group in the coming months?
John Mooney discusses the issue with Dr Arron Edwards.
Money laundering is the lifeblood of organised crime. Dirty cash mingles with legal money in the banking system like a virus in the bloodstream. So how can it be stopped? John Mooney talks to Jeffrey Robinson, the acclaimed author of The Laundry Men: Inside the World's Third Largest Business.
John Mooney presents a special episode on the cyber attack which has collapsed Ireland's healthcare services. Allan Liska of Recorded Future and Simon Woodworth of University College Cork provide expert analysis on the cyber attack.
This is a feature length episode on the life and crimes of Michael McKevitt, the republican hardliner who is considered to be the founding father of dissident republicanism. McKevitt died on January 2 from cancer. The show examines McKevitt’s role in the Provisional IRA, his decision to set up the Real IRA, the 1998 Omagh bombing, and how an MI5 spy called Dave Rupert helped the Irish and British security services to bring him to justice. John Mooney is joined by the journalist and author Michael O'Toole and Tony Hearty, a retired special branch detective who investigated McKevitt.
The predicted effects of climate change are endless. They include extreme weather, droughts, rising sea levels and mass migration, not to mention the increased spread of life-threatening diseases. Terrorism may also flourish in countries most impacted.
Climate Change is not like other conventional security threats: it has the potential to create multiple security problems, occurring globally at the same time.
John Mooney speaks to Dr Diarmuid Torney from the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University and John Gibbons, the journalist and author of the Think or Swim Blog.
What is the Far Right? And why are ordinary people being drawn towards extremist politics? John Mooney speaks to Dr Anne Speckhard, the Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), about the rise and rise of the Far Right in the United States.
Why is Russia spying in Ireland? And does Russian espionage pose a threat to the Irish economy?
Two Russian spy agencies are active in Ireland. Its SVR foreign intelligence service is targeting diplomats, civil servants and public figures.
The GRU, the military intelligence branch of the Russian armed forces, is also using Ireland as an operational base. It is also gathering intelligence on the tech industry and other targets.
Is the government doing anything to confront the Russian threat and to protect both Irish and European interests? And what are the consequences of pursuing a policy of no action?
Gustav Gressel, a Russian analyst from the European Council on Foreign Relations, discusses what many now regard as a major threat Ireland’s national security.
Does China pose a threat to Ireland’s national security? And what of the activities of its intelligence services on Irish soil?
John Mooney speaks to the distinguished Chinese expert Charles Burton on the risks posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to Ireland and the dangers of increasing trade with the burgeoning superpower.
Welcome to the Dark State, a subscription only podcast which examines the security threats facing the modern world.
Each week we look at the ever changing threat landscape in conversation with security experts, scientists and academics.
You can subscribe to the Dark State on Patreon and iTunes, or listen to some free episodes posed on Soundcloud, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
So which is it? Does Al Qaeda or Islamic State pose the greatest threat to the West? Or is radical Islam leaderless and in flux? And do jihadist extremists pose a threat to Irish security?
John Mooney speaks to Moign Khawaja, a PHD candidate at Dublin City University (DCU) who is conducting research into jihadist propaganda. Khawaja is a leading expert on Islamic terrorist organisations and a recognised expert on the development of Islamic State.
Does the Far Right pose a threat to democracy and security in Ireland? John Mooney speaks to Aoife Gallagher, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).