Restricted Handling Podcast

Former CIA officers with extremely experienced guests talk Russia, China, Iran, North Korea; international security, geopolitics, military, intel operations, sanctions and economic power plays.Get deeper daily analysis on Substack at https://substack.com/@restrictedhandling. Find daily intel brief podcasts on Russia, China, and Iran at https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kb9BYk98BEmeHVpgWiklG

Restricted Handling Podcast is a news podcast hosted by Ryan Fugit, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ryan Fugit hosts Restricted Handling Podcast, a news show with 36 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Restricted Handling Podcast

  What Putin Needs to End the War, Hellfires in the Gulf, IRGC Commander Propaganda, Kushner/Witkoff Advice

  Aug 13, 202644 min

  Putin wants Washington to believe he holds every card, but Glenn Corn argues he is not in the driver's seat. Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn examine what Moscow may actually require to stop the war in Ukraine and how Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff should approach potential negotiations with Moscow and Kyiv. They also discuss how the Iran war could strengthen Putin's position by diverting attention and critical PAC-3 interceptors from Ukraine, along with naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, IRGC propaganda, Russian threats against European shipping, and the potential threat to Air Force One in Turkey. In this episode, we cover: • Why Glenn believes Putin is negotiating from weakness • The military and economic pressure Washington can apply • Ukraine's shortage of PAC-3 interceptors • The structure of a potentially enforceable ceasefire • Sanctions relief as a diplomatic incentive • Territory, NATO membership, and Putin's maximalist demands • How the Iran war diverts resources from Ukraine • What an IRGC general revealed in a rare Western interview • The potential Iranian threat against Air Force One • Russian and Ukrainian battlefield losses • What the Battle of Fort Mercer teaches about Ukrainian resistance • The devastating earthquake in Colombia This conversation offers a direct look at the pressure points shaping Ukraine negotiations and the danger of allowing Moscow or Tehran to manufacture an illusion of strength. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 What Witkoff and Kushner should tell Putin • 00:21 Ukraine negotiations, Iran, and the episode ahead • 00:59 Glenn prepares for the UK, Ukraine, and Ukrainian lessons • 03:57 Drone pranks, remote pilots, and Navy Hellfires • 07:56 What Putin actually needs to end the Ukraine war • 11:49 Ukraine's PAC-3 shortage and Russia's ballistic campaign • 13:14 An enforceable ceasefire and the sanctions question • 15:36 Territory, NATO, and Putin's core demands • 18:45 Can any agreement with Putin last? • 21:15 Robert Gilman's release and Russian threats at sea • 23:23 How the Iran war gives Putin leverage • 27:55 Why US envoys need to visit Ukraine • 29:15 Inside the IRGC's propaganda campaign • 33:16 The potential Iranian threat to Air Force One • 36:57 Russian support for Iran and the strategy of patience • 38:43 The human cost of the Ukraine war • 39:28 What Fort Mercer teaches about Ukrainian resistance • 41:54 Colombia's election and devastating earthquake How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics ( https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ ) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting ( https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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  Restricted Handling Podcast

  US-Iran-Israel-Lebanon Negotiations and Will Hezbollah or Hamas Disarm w/ Senior CIA Officers (ret) Glenn Corn and Ralph Goff

  Aug 6, 202633 min

  The Middle East is moving on multiple fronts at once, and retired CIA Senior Case Officer Ralph Goff says Iran is the center of gravity. Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn are joined by Ralph Goff, a retired senior CIA operations officer and six-time Chief of Station across Europe, the Middle East, war zones, Central Asia, and South Asia, for a fast-moving discussion on Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Turkey, Ukraine, and the shifting politics of U.S. support for Israel. The conversation starts with the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. leverage over Israel, and the negotiations around Lebanon and Gaza. From there, Ralph and Glenn dig into whether Hezbollah or Hamas can realistically disarm, why Turkey and Israel may be on a collision course, and how AIPAC's role in American politics is changing. They also connect the Middle East crisis to Ukraine, missile defense shortages, Patriot interceptors, Iran's internal factions, and the long-term energy shifts that could hurt both Tehran and Moscow. In this episode, we cover: • Why Ralph sees Iran as the top U.S. priority right now • Whether Trump has unusual leverage over Israel • The challenge of disarming Hezbollah and Hamas • Why Gaza ceasefire talks may be a long shot • Turkey's growing role in the Israel, Syria, and Hamas equation • How U.S. politics around Israel are changing after October 7 • Iran's internal hardliner dynamics and the problem of Mujtaba • Patriot interceptor shortages and Ukraine's air defense crisis • Syria's opportunity to reduce reliance on Russian oil • Ralph's story behind a battle-worn Ukrainian flag Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Ryan introduces Glenn Corn and Ralph Goff • 00:51 Why Iran is the top U.S. priority right now • 02:14 Oil markets, Hormuz traffic, and Trump's leverage • 03:46 Does the U.S. still have leverage over Israel? • 06:00 Lebanon's opportunity and Hezbollah disarmament • 08:04 Ralph breaks down the Gaza disarmament problem • 09:21 What happens if there is no Gaza deal? • 11:21 Glenn on why Hezbollah will not disarm easily • 12:45 Turkey, Israel, Syria, Hamas, and the F-35 question • 15:19 AIPAC, U.S. politics, and changing Israel support • 17:29 Glenn on anti-Semitism, Israel criticism, and Kremlin influence • 19:23 Iran, U.S. stockpiles, and the next month of tensions • 21:33 Glenn warns against claims that U.S. arsenals are depleted • 23:02 Ukraine's air defense crisis and Patriot interceptor shortages • 24:24 Ukraine's strike on an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian • 25:18 Why producing Patriots under license is so complicated • 27:10 Is Mujtaba still alive? • 28:37 Syria, Russian oil, Iraq, and new energy routes • 31:31 Ralph explains the Ukrainian flag behind him About Ralph Goff Ralph Goff is a retired senior CIA operations officer and six-time Chief of Station. In the episode, Ryan describes his service across Europe, the Middle East, war zones, Central Asia, and South Asia, as well as his post-retirement public speaking and commentary on Russia, Ukraine, and national security. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics ( https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ ) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting ( https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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  Restricted Handling Podcast

  The Four Ways Putin Leaves Office from 40-Year Senior CIA Russia Analyst Peter Clement and CIA CoS Glenn Corn

  Aug 3, 20261h 11m

  Putin's eventual exit could trigger a managed succession, an internal coup, or a dangerous struggle for power inside the Kremlin. This episode brought to by you by Larineco. Larineco is offering our listeners up to 50% off at buylarine.com/RESTRICTED. Glenn and I love it and it helps the show (and your teeth)...please try some! Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more What happens to Russia after Vladimir Putin? Peter Clement, a former senior CIA Russia analyst and Columbia University professor, joins Ryan and Glenn to examine the scenarios that could shape post-Putin Russia. Peter spent more than 40 years at the CIA, including as a Soviet and Russian analyst, PDB briefer, and deputy assistant director for Europe and Eurasia. He and Glenn also discuss their shared Bellport roots and decades studying Russia. In this episode, we cover: • The four major post-Putin succession scenarios • Why Putin is unlikely to manage his own retirement • How Putin's death could trigger Kremlin maneuvering • The difference between a soft coup and a hard coup • What the Prigozhin mutiny revealed about Putin's system • Whether Russia could experience a gradual "deputinization" • The real level of domestic pressure facing Putin • How Ukrainian strikes and economic pain could affect Russian politics • Why a mass popular revolt remains a low-probability scenario • The challenges facing CIA analysts trying to understand Russia • The risks and benefits of intelligence mission-center integration • Whether the United States should engage Putin's successor • Lessons from Reagan's engagement with Gorbachev • Why a ceasefire may give Russia time to rebuild • Why Putin's foreign policy may ultimately become a strategic defeat Peter Clement argues that a popular uprising is possible but unlikely, while internal pressure from the security services and political elite could become increasingly important as the war continues. The conversation also explores whether Putin's successor would continue his imperial ambitions or pursue a more pragmatic course. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Peter Clement joins the Restricted Handling Podcast • 01:07 How Glenn and Peter connected through Bellport and Russia • 04:16 Why post-Putin succession planning matters • 08:16 The four scenarios for Putin's exit • 12:33 Kremlin maneuvering, Stalin, and the succession problem • 15:21 Patronage, younger elites, and the possibility of an internal coup • 17:26 Was the Prigozhin mutiny a coup attempt? • 19:26 Soft coups, hard coups, and removing Putin • 21:40 Larineco sponsor spot • 22:44 Putin's paranoia and the Kremlin "nest of vipers" • 24:14 Deputinization and Putin's potential legacy • 29:36 Ukrainian strikes and growing pressure inside Russia • 34:38 Could a mass revolt bring down the regime? • 38:01 The intelligence challenge of understanding modern Russia • 43:52 CIA analysts, operators, and mission-center integration • 48:35 Should the United States engage Putin's successor? • 50:50 Reagan, Gorbachev, and the value of personal diplomacy • 56:04 Which post-Putin scenario is most plausible? • 01:04:30 Iran, mobilization, and the pressure of a prolonged war • 01:08:58 Why Putin's foreign policy may become a strategic defeat • 01:10:08 Closing thoughts and how to follow Restricted Handling About Peter Clement Peter Clement spent more than 40 years at the CIA as a Soviet and Russian analyst, PDB briefer, and deputy assistant director for Europe and Eurasia. He received the CIA's Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal and is now a professor at Columbia University. He is also working on a forthcoming Cypher Brief book about CIA analysts and has written on Russian succession scenarios and Putin's nuclear calculus. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics ( https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ ) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting ( https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ). Learn more at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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  Restricted Handling Podcast

  Glenn Kiev Trip Report: Ukraine Power Shakeup, Russia's Lie Machine, Houthi Attacks, Saudi Nuclear?

  Jul 25, 202650 min

  Glenn just returned from Ukraine with insights into Ukraine's battlefield momentum colliding with political turmoil, Russian pressure, and a Middle East crisis that could reshape global security. Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn break down a volatile week: a deadly strike in Bucha, leadership changes in Kyiv, Ukraine's campaign against Russian logistics, Russia's familiar negotiation tactics, and mounting pressure on Iran's proxy network. In this episode, we cover: • The Bucha strike and accountability during wartime • Ukraine's leadership reshuffle, battlefield momentum, and the reported F-16 air-to-air kill • Laura Loomer's Ukraine visit and her reversal on Russian propaganda • How Russian negotiators use history, ambiguity, and pressure to wear down counterparts • The debate between drones, innovation, manpower, and conventional military power • Lebanon, Hezbollah, Syria, and the opportunity to rebuild state legitimacy • Houthi attacks, Middle East maritime choke points, and the Saudi nuclear agreement • Iran's nuclear ambitions and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz • Ukraine's strikes on Wildberries and Russia's dual-use logistics network • Glenn's outlook for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and the odds of a Taiwan invasion The stakes extend well beyond the front lines. Ukraine's internal cohesion, Russia's ability to sustain its war, the future of the Abraham Accords, and Iran's regional reach are increasingly connected. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Bucha tragedy and the week's biggest developments • 02:56 Ukraine's leadership reshuffle and battlefield momentum • 05:42 Sanctions pressure, F-16s, and Ukraine's anxious mood • 08:08 Laura Loomer's Ukraine visit and reversing Russian propaganda • 13:12 Russia's negotiating playbook and the "Anchorage agreement" • 17:20 Will Kyiv's shakeup undermine battlefield gains? • 22:14 Drones, manpower, and Ukraine's old-versus-new military debate • 26:12 Lebanon, President Aoun, and Hezbollah's future • 31:56 Houthi attacks, maritime chokepoints, and the Saudi nuclear deal • 34:51 Abraham Accords, Israel, and Saudi normalization • 37:56 Iran's nuclear future and the Strait of Hormuz • 39:11 Russian intelligence cover in Japan • 41:26 Why Ukraine is striking Russia's Wildberries logistics network • 46:44 Ceasefire odds, Taiwan, and what comes next How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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  Restricted Handling Podcast

  RUSSIA IS IN TROUBLE, UKRAINE IS HITTING BACK, TURKEY PICKS A SIDE, CHINA SENDS A WARNING W/ CIA OFFICERS GLENN CORN

  Jul 16, 202639 min

  Russia's war machine is under pressure, Turkey is moving closer to Washington, and new espionage and military risks are emerging from China and Japan. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn return to examine the latest developments in international security, geopolitics, and military affairs. In this episode, we cover: • Ukraine's deep strikes against Russian logistics and maritime traffic • Ukraine's shrinking air defense capacity • Why Turkey welcomed President Trump at the NATO summit • Turkey's possible return to the F-35 program • New sanctions pressure on Russia and its energy buyers • Political reshuffling and possible corruption concerns in Kyiv • Russia's recruitment of women as manpower shortages grow • Russian espionage and technology acquisition networks in Japan • China's nuclear submarine missile launch and possible signaling • The danger of military exercises being misread as preparations for war • China's detention of an American scientific specialist • Starlink and the emerging satellite battlefield • A few lighter stories about travel, shisha, gum, and Tinto de Verano This episode connects battlefield developments, sanctions, intelligence operations, alliance politics, and escalation risks across Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, China, and the wider Middle East. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Welcome and the World Cup conversation • 03:37 Ukraine's battlefield gains and worsening air defense shortage • 04:48 Why Turkey welcomed President Trump • 06:30 Turkey, the F-35 program, and the Russian S-400 system • 08:24 Trump, Zelensky, and NATO summit outcomes • 08:56 New sanctions pressure on Russia and India • 09:26 Political reshuffling and corruption concerns in Ukraine • 10:48 What an early ambassadorial departure could signal • 14:00 Gulf ceasefire collapse and threats to shipping routes • 15:07 Why the Sea of Azov matters to Russia and Ukraine • 18:28 Russian oligarch messaging and Kremlin information warfare • 21:19 Russia begins recruiting women for military roles • 25:20 Russian espionage and technology collection in Japan • 27:08 The history of espionage through sexual blackmail • 28:13 China's nuclear submarine missile launch • 29:00 How military exercises can create escalation risks • 30:36 Russia and China's interest in targeting Starlink • 31:04 China's detention of an American scientific specialist • 33:17 Glenn tests the sponsored gum • 35:17 Travel, Spain, Gibraltar, and Tinto de Verano • 37:43 World Cup predictions and closing thoughts How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics ( https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ ) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting ( https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ). Learn more at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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