Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

John Kiriakou is a former CIA counterterrorism officer and the only intelligence official to blow the whistle on America’s torture program and ultimately pay the price with prison time.
In this revealing conversation, Kiriakou takes us inside the world of spy recruitment, from spotting targets at diplomatic parties to the devastating personal costs of intelligence work. He explains how a childhood fascination with the Middle East led to a 15-year CIA career, his role in capturing high-value Al-Qaeda targets after 9/11, and the moral reckoning that changed everything. We also explore his analysis of current geopolitical tensions, from Iran’s nuclear program to the growing risks of escalation in the Middle East.
We also spoke about:
How the CIA recruits spies using the "spot, assess, develop, recruit" cycle
The personal cost of counterterrorism work — losing his marriage after being targeted by Greek terrorists
Leading the capture of Abu Zubaydah and witnessing the birth of America's torture programme
Why he became the sole CIA officer to publicly oppose enhanced interrogation techniques
His 23-month prison sentence for revealing torture to the American public
Analysis of current Middle East tensions and the intelligence behind Iran policy
Media manipulation and finding reliable sources in an age of disinformation
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Michael Clarke is one of Australian cricket's most successful yet polarising captains.
In this revealing conversation, Clarke opens up about his leadership philosophy, the weight of captaincy, and the personal costs of life in the spotlight.
He discusses the tragic loss of teammates including Phil Hughes, Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds, shares insights on modern cricket's evolution, and reflects on the controversial moments that defined his career. Clarke also speaks candidly about fatherhood, finding balance through the strong women in his life, and how becoming a parent has fundamentally changed his perspective on leadership and empathy.
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Mark Wales is a former SAS soldier who served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, now providing strategic analysis on the unfolding Middle East conflict and Australia's defence vulnerabilities.
Wales breaks down the current Iran operation, explaining how it differs from previous Middle East campaigns and why traditional military technology still requires boots on the ground. He discusses Australia's concerning defence gaps, from our 35-day fuel reserves to our minimal submarine fleet, and explains how geopolitical tensions could cascade into a broader global conflict involving multiple fronts. We get into:
• The strategic differences between Al-Qaeda and Taliban operations in Afghanistan
• Why Iran's nuclear capabilities represent a regional tipping point
• How Israel's long-term intelligence operations enabled recent strikes
• Australia's critical defence vulnerabilities and fuel supply risks
• The role of robotics and AI in modern warfare
• China's military capabilities and Pacific theatre implications
• Why current conflicts could escalate into multi-front warfare
Find out more about Mark Wales here: https://www.markwales.com.au/summary

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Toby Walsh is one of the world's foremost artificial intelligence researchers — a professor at UNSW, author of multiple books on AI, and a regular voice at the United Nations on the governance of autonomous weapons.
In this conversation, Mark Bouris and Walsh cover the full arc of AI: from Alan Turing's original question about machine intelligence, to the way ChatGPT actually works, to the concentration of power in the hands of a handful of Silicon Valley figures. They examine the economics of the AI industry — who is actually making money, and why companies are spending billions they cannot yet recoup. Walsh also addresses the military application of AI in Ukraine and Gaza, the threat of autonomous weapons, and why he believes we may need to see atrocities before the world acts.
How Alan Turing defined artificial intelligence — and why that definition matters now
Why AI hallucinates and what it actually means when a chatbot gives you a wrong answer
The concentration of AI power into a small number of companies and individuals
Autonomous weapons, AI targeting in Gaza, and the coming arms race
The future of work — the four-day week, productivity gains, and what happens to human purpose
Why AI will likely replace human driving — and why that is a good thing
The case for global regulation and what Walsh is telling the United Nations
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Craig Laundy joins me in Las Vegas for a direct conversation on business, politics and legacy, from the Bulldogs’ resurgence to the Laundy family’s investment in 2GB. We unpack the future of Australian politics, the role of AI, economic pressure points and what it takes to build long term impact across generations.
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Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.
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