Radio War Nerd EP #377 — Cloak & Dumber: Spyfail, feat. James Bamford

This may be the funniest ep of the show

John Waaben

Drones used for demining are relatively small. They don't need to carry a lot of explosives. The large drones, presumably, are for blowing up ships and port infrastructure. They can't wrap explosives around a pipe. An explosion of a drone like that on the sea floor would not rip out a section of the pipe. If Ukrainians did it, why target Danish waters? It would make more sense to do that in Russian waters as they did in Crimea or even on the ground as they tried with Turk Stream. They are threatening now to blow up the oil pipeline going to Hungary. Why wouldn't they take credit for Nord Stream? There are other facts that support Hersh's story even if circumstantially. Ola Tulander covered them in his article, including the 'strange' cancellation of Norwegian PM's trip to the pipeline inauguration. And he is a well qualified guy to do that. https://olatunander.substack.com/p/after-sy-hershs-article-norway-the Makes a lot more sense IMO than what Bamford presented.

Autonomous underwater drones have been used for years for undersea pipeline inspection so how can it be "nearly impossible" to find a pipeline with one? As for your second point, Bamford mentiond drones having the ability place explosives *on* mines as an alternative to the possibility of exploding near them, and explicitly said that some drones have ability to attach explosives in response to Mark's question, so you aren't addressing his claim.

The interview is great and very informative. Thank you. Unfortunately, it deflates in the end by Bamford's ridiculous claims about Nord Stream. His theory about Ukrainian undersea drones is laughable for two reasons. Finding a pipe buried in the sand by a remotely operated drone would be nearly impossible. More importantly, an explosion near the pipeline would not cut a section of it. It would deform or puncture the pipe instead. Explosives had to be placed around the pipe (shaped charges) in two places in order to achieve that result. I guess physics is not his strong suit.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w_l-4rAUAzQ

Eric Snow

well Segal is basically a hole in the screen so if there's anything good about a movie he's in, it's to someone else's credit. (or they kill him off early, like in EXECUTIVE DECISION.) the first U/S is completely stolen by Tommy Lee Jones and it was one of his first few roles where people were getting excited about him showing up in stuff. when he wins the Oscar the very next year, it's a movie from the same director as U/S: Andrew Davis.

Rohmer Simpson

UKTI! Respect!I have to admit I've actually never seen all of under siege. I have scorched my eyeballs with all kinds of s***** '80s films but I just can't get past Steven Seagal. Eric bogosian is great. His book operation nemesis was fascinating. He would be a fun guest on the podcast if we didn't already have enough death and misery on display at the moment.

Eric Snow

the first Under Siege is good tho. very likely the only all-around good Steven Seagull starrer. the sequel is w/e but it's at least got Eric Bogosian as a cackling cyber-villain.

Rohmer Simpson

As a producer, Milchan is very well known for films he's been involved in. Brazil, Heat, Fight Club, The Man Who Knew Too Little, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Once Upon a Time in America, etc. Also plenty of turds (Under Siege).The story of him being a spy is fascinating, especially the implications of why he's not been prosecuted in the US.

Eric Snow

Excellent work.

Seth Rogan's head exploding? Definitely sounds like a job for midjourney...

James

Israel is a hell of a lot more dangerous and unhinged than NK, Iran, or Russia.

is someone photoshopping these recent episode covers or are you using midjourney, because they look an awful lot like AI gen'd crud. Brad Jonas still lives, guys.

Benjamin Glover

Excellent episode and great episode art, too!

James

Simply great guest. There are so few like him today. He is laboriously unearthing all this information that the media lazily and wilfuly ignores. The Sony - North Korea episode and the Israeli penetration of Trump campaign are most interesting. One thing left unsaid was that Sony's movie showing NK leader killed is highly egregious because NK was Japanese colony where Japs committed atrocities