In this special edition of ‘The Foreign Desk’, we speak to former spies from different intelligence services serving in different eras. We’ll find out how to recruit assets, disrupt communications, adopt false identities and, if necessary, get out in a hurry. And we’ll learn how and why spies become spies.

Explainer 508: How did rapper Balen become prime minister of Nepal?
06:38

The Foreign Desk Exclusive: Canada prime minister Mark Carney on the new world order
30:17

Live special: War in Iran
46:20