麻豆约拍

One Cold War spy has his story retold by journalist Simon Kuper, while the granddaughter of another - Charlotte Philby - writes novels that explore the human side and cost of espionage. Nigel Inkster, former MI6 director of operations and intelligence, looks at the role of spying in present day relations between China and the US, while journalist Margaret Coker explains how old school intelligence gathering without any hi-tech bells and whistles has been reaping rewards in Iraq. Rana Mitter hosts a conversation about spying fact and fiction.

The Happy Traitor: Spies, Lies and Exile in Russia - The Extraordinary Story of George Blake by Simon Kuper is out now.
Charlotte Philby's most recent novel is A Double Life.
The Great Decoupling: China, America and the Struggle for Technological Supremacy by Nigel Inkster is out now.
Margaret Coker's book Spymaster of Baghdad is out now.
Penguin Classics is re-issuing Len Deighton's novels.

In our archives you can find Stella Rimington in discussion with Alan Judd /programmes/b048ngpw
John le Carr茅 in conversation with Anne McElvoy /programmes/b039q13n
The links in the world of French philosophy and spies /programmes/b0b2mfh3
And a playlist of programmes on War and Conflict /programmes/p06kgbyb

Producer: Torquil MacLeod