Was Epstein a spy? Our guest says he didn’t need to be. Instead, investigative reporter Murtaza Hussain of Dropsite News explains how Epstein was far more powerful by using his contacts as a kind of global “fixer,” facilitating security agreements and arms sales for Israel, working with Emiratis to further their interests in Africa, establishing a backchannel between Israel and Russia during the Syrian Civil War, and more. Hussain unpacks the way Epstein was a player in a “replacement establishment” — allowing him to make end-runs around traditional governmental institutions and operate largely above the law.

Mentioned in this episode

Politico: Todd Blanche ‘conceded’ violating law on Epstein files

Federal Judge’s ruling on DOJ violating Epstein Files Transparency Act

Daily Mail: Tate Brothers party with Trump and Melania’s matchmaker

WHCA Katharine Graham Award to the WSJ for Epstein reporting

NYT: Profile on Karyna Shuliak

Forbes: What Trump Suing BBC Could Reveal About His Finances

Detroit Free Press: Sexual Abuse and Assult Investigation Underway at Interlochen

JKBrown Substack: Another Epstein Recruiter Found Dead

Dropsite News

Murtaza Hussain on Twitter

Dropsite: Epstein and Israel series