Podcasts · News

STR: Suspicious Transaction Report

Royal United Services Institute

100 episodes

From the team analysing the intersection of finance and security, tune into compelling conversations on the real-world impact of global illicit finance.

More about the show

This podcast explores the financial dimensions of today's leading transnational security challenges. Host Tom Keatinge and the team from the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI bring you unique insights on the challenges posed by illicit finance and practical analysis of the policy responses. They interview top thinkers and influential voices who unpack the complex world of money laundering, corruption, sanctions evasion and illicit flows, and explain how this shapes the evolving global security landscape, and what democracies and international institutions must do to stay ahead when it comes to the financial dimensions of the global threat outlook.

Suspicious Transaction Report is also home to CFS's 'Financial Crime Insights' podcast, which ran from 2020 to 2023.

Episodes page 1 of 2

  1. A7A5: Russia's Stablecoin Lifeline

    · 33 min · S9 E4

    How a rouble-backed stablecoin, Tether's USDT and an alternative payments network are testing the reach of Western sanctions. Russia's search for alternatives to the Western financial system is increasingly moving…

  2. From 1MDB to The China Contract

    · 35 min · S9 E3

    Clare Rewcastle Brown on how Malaysia's 1MDB scandal became a story of debt, infrastructure, China and geopolitical leverage. The 1MDB scandal exposed how billions of dollars were stolen from Malaysia, moved through…

  3. Financing War in the Grey Zone

    · 38 min · S9 E2

    This episode explores how conflict financing and hybrid threats expose gaps in the global anti-financial crime framework. Wars and hostile state activities are not sustained by weapons alone. They depend on money,…

  4. From Compliance to Risk Management: A View from the US Treasury

    · 39 min · S9 E1

    This episode examines how the US Treasury thinks about financial crime, sanctions, fraud and protecting the integrity of the financial system. Financial crime, sanctions and illicit finance have become central to…

  5. Can the Financial Action Taskforce Turn Standards into Results?

    · 50 min · S8 E24

    How can the global anti-financial-crime system become more inclusive, proportionate and effective in delivering meaningful results? Few institutions have as much influence over the global response to money laundering…

  6. Can Terrorist Financing Ever Be Stopped?

    · 40 min · S8 E23

    Why disruption, intelligence and genuine public–private partnership matter more than promises to eliminate every terrorist dollar. Terrorism may have slipped down the political agenda, but its financing remains a…

  7. Iran's Long (Financial) Arm in Europe

    · 37 min · S8 E22

    How Iran uses proxies, shadow banking and criminal cut-outs to fund external operations and evade sanctions. Iranian-linked plots, surveillance activity and intimidation operations are drawing growing concern across…

  8. Chinese Money Laundering and the 'Flying Money' Threat

    · 37 min · S8 E21

    How Chinese money laundering organisations exploit capital controls, criminal cash and informal value transfer systems to move illicit wealth across borders. Chinese money laundering organisations have become a…

  9. Is Populism a Business Model?

    · 30 min · S8 E20

    Money, media and influence networks are turning political grievances into engines of power and profit. Populist movements are reshaping politics across Europe and North America. But beyond the rhetoric, rallies and…

  10. Crypto and Sanctions Evasion: Russia's Growing Shadow Economy

    · 38 min · S8 E19

    Crypto use is central to Russia's evasion of sanctions aimed at restricting its military procurement. It is past time for action. Over the past four years, sanctions against the financing and resourcing of the Russian…

  11. From Passive to Active: The Revolution at UK Companies House

    · 28 min · S8 E18

    The long-derided corporate registry is finally coming into its own as a central player in confronting the UK's role in global illicit finance. When the UK government opened its company register – Companies House – to…

  12. Oliver Bullough: Why We Get Fighting Financial Crime Wrong

    · 38 min · S8 E17

    Laundering money has never been easier, cheaper, or more secure for bad actors, so why do we persist with our current response? In this latest episode, host Tom Keatinge is joined by journalist Oliver Bullough to…

  13. Latvia's Transformation: From Laundromat to Leader

    · 40 min · S8 E16

    Motivation, coordination and making the right choices has brought a remarkable turnaround in the financial crime fighting fortunes of Latvia. If you are involved in the fight against financial crime in Latvia then…

  14. Countering Russia's Shadow Fleet and the Limits of Sanctions

    · 35 min · S8 E15

    How has Russia managed to keep its oil exports flowing despite sanctions and what can governments do to more effectively disrupt the shadow fleet? As Russia adapts its energy exports to withstand sanctions pressure, a…

  15. Russian Oligarch Sanctions: Frozen Assets, Due Process and What Happens Next

    · 43 min · S8 E14

    Following Russia's full-scale invasion, Western governments issued a slew of sanctions against oligarchs. But to what end? What's been achieved, and what happens next? Over the past decade, the UK has grappled with…

  16. EU Sanctions on Russia: Four Years After the Invasion

    · 38 min · S8 E13

    Marking four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we examine how EU sanctions have evolved, expanded and intensified enforcement. As we mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of…

  17. Controlling Crypto in UK Politics: Is a Ban What's Really Needed?

    · 34 min · S8 E12

    As the UK brings forward new electoral legislation, what should the government do about crypto donations, and does it really understand the risks? Discussion about cryptocurrencies is often polarised. Nowhere is this…

  18. How Russian Sabotage Is Financed and How to Disrupt It

    · 43 min · S8 E11

    Financing is a critical yet overlooked element of Russian sabotage in Europe, shaping how operations unfold and where they can be disrupted. In this latest STR episode, host Kinga Redłowska is joined by CFS Director…

  19. Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea Football Club

    · 37 min · S8 E10

    Over two billion pounds from the sale of Chelsea FC languishes frozen in a UK bank account. Why is that, and what happens next? Nick Purewal, news and sports journalist, and author of 'Sanctioned: The Inside Story of…

  20. Creating an AML System that is Fit for Purpose

    · 42 min · S8 E9

    In a new book, author Anton Moiseienko argues that designing the right incentives will determine the future success of financial crime fighting. In this latest episode of the STR podcast, host Tom Keatinge is joined…

  21. How and Why the AML Status Quo Needs to Change

    · 38 min · S8 E8

    Jeffrey Robinson writer, storyteller, and passionate believer joins host Tom Keatinge to think the unthinkable and challenge the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) status quo. After all these years of effort to combat…

  22. The Growing Threat of Terrorist Financing Through Online Gaming

    · 34 min · S8 E7

    Gonzalo Saiz and Galen Lamphere-Englund speak with host Tom Keatinge about how online gaming might be exploited by extremist and terrorist actors. In this latest episode of the STR podcast, host Tom Keatinge caught up…

  23. How Useful is the FATF Terrorist Financing Typologies Report?

    · 36 min · S8 E6

    Jessica Davis, Stephen Reimer and host Tom Keatinge discuss the Financial Action Task Force's recent report on terrorist financing. In this latest episode of the STR podcast, host Tom Keatinge caught up with CFS…

  24. On the Frontline of Financial Intelligence with Daniel Thelesklaf

    · 47 min · S8 E5

    With three FIU (financial intelligence unit) leadership positions under his belt, and much more besides, Daniel Thelesklaf shares his varied and valued experience in tackling financial crime. In this latest episode of…

  25. Crypto and Sanctions Circumvention

    · 29 min · S8 E4

    Elise Thomas speaks with Tom Keatinge about why the growing role of cryptocurrencies in sanctions circumvention needs urgent attention. In this latest episode, host Tom Keatinge caught up with Elise Thomas from the…

  26. Economic Statecraft and Economic Security in Global Affairs

    · 33 min · S8 E3

    Kimberly Donovan joins Kinga Redlowska to discuss the evolving role of economic security and economic statecraft in global affairs. Kimberly Donovan, Director of the Economic Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic…

  27. Strategising the Use of Sanctions: in Conversation with Wally Adeyemo

    · 46 min · S8 E2

    The effective use of sanctions needs clear objectives and outcomes, multilateral coordination, and rigorous enforcement; their overuse can have unintended consequences. Former US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally…

  28. Imprisoned for Reforming Myanmar's Broken Financial System

    · 39 min · S8 E1

    A personal story exploring the challenges of introducing financial integrity and transparency to Myanmar's financial system - and of 650 days of imprisonment as a result. We talk a lot about the realities of fighting…

  29. Suspicious Transaction Report: Season 8 Preview

    · 1:45 · Trailer

    Host Tom Keatinge reveals what's in store for Season 8 of the Suspicious Transaction Report. Some great episodes are already lined up, delving into terrorist financing, what it's like to be imprisoned after attempting…

  30. 10 Years at the Intersection of Finance and Security

    · 28 min · S7 E22

    Kinga Redlowska and Tom Keatinge reflect on the latest season, the CFS's 10th anniversary and the future of finance and security work. In this special season-wrap episode of the Suspicious Transaction Report podcast,…

  31. A Year of Labour: Assessing the UK's Progress Against Illicit Finance

    · 34 min · S7 E21

    After 12 months in office, has the new Labour government turned the page on the fight against illicit finance, or is governing harder than opposition? CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with CFS Financial Crime Policy…

  32. Moldova's Elections: Fighting Financial Interference

    · 42 min · S7 E20

    A look behind the curtain at the financial dimension of Russia's attempts to undermine Moldova's 2024 presidential election and EU referendum. CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with Veronica Dragalin, former Chief…

  33. Strengthening the Financial Frontline on Russia Trade Sanctions

    · 32 min · S7 E19

    How the compliance systems of financial institutions have adapted in response to post-2022 trade restrictions on Russia. CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with CFS Associate Fellow Olivia Allison and Jinesh Amin, a…

  34. Chokepoints – How the Global Economy Became a Weapon of War

    · 42 min · S7 E18

    Sanctions have become the go-to policy tool of our times, yet the lessons of the past are often forgotten by those at the centre of the world's stage today. CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with Eddie Fishman, a…

  35. The Financial Dimension of Online Child Sexual Exploitation

    · 43 min · S7 E17

    A new report from the Financial Action Task Force examines how financial intelligence can be used to protect children from online sexual exploitation. CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with Abi Harrison from the United…

  36. Banks and Geopolitical Risk – a Dutch Perspective

    · 33 min · S7 E16

    With geopolitical risk rising, this episode examines a recent Dutch National Bank report on how banks should navigate growing global tensions and fragmentation. CFS Director Tom Keatinge speaks with Thomas Vos,…

  37. The Future of Frozen Russian Assets

    · 35 min · S7 E15

    How could frozen Russian assets be used and what are the legal and geopolitical implications? Head of CFS Europe, Kinga Redlowska, is joined by Anton Moiseienko, CFS Associate Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Law at the…

  38. Hennie Verbeek-Kusters on Combatting Financial Crime

    · 35 min · S7 E14

    This episode explores the role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)-the Netherlands in combating financial crime, featuring insights from its head, Hennie Verbeek-Kusters on challenges, strategies and global…

  39. Belarus: The Forgotten Sanctions Regime

    · 42 min · S7 E13

    Sanctions on Belarus cover multiple issues: fraudulent elections, human rights abuses, and complicity in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. But what is their real impact? Head of CFS Europe Kinga Redlowska…

  40. Canada Under Pressure: Tariffs, Illicit Finance and Trump

    · 30 min · S7 E12

    Tom Keatinge and Jessica Davis explore the impact of Trump's tariff threats on Canada, alongside the country's ongoing challenges with illicit finance and money laundering. CFS Director Tom Keatinge is joined by…

  41. Eyes on the Inside: Incentivising Whistleblowers to Expose Economic Crime

    · 37 min · S7 E11

    This episode explores the potential of whistleblower reward programmes to transform economic crime investigations. CFS Director Tom Keatinge is joined by Eliza Lockhart, Research Fellow at CFS, and Nick Ephgrave,…

  42. State Threats – Same Old Same Old, or Something Different?

    · 41 min · S7 E10

    Talk of state threats, hostile states and hybrid warfare has notably increased. But how do these threats differ from those faced in the past? CFS Director Tom Keatinge is joined by Matthew Redhead, Senior Associate…

  43. Understanding Russia's Growing Campaign of Sabotage

    · 36 min · S7 E9

    We explore the growing threat of sabotage attacks across Europe and the technological tools used for financing and recruitment. Host Tom Keatinge is joined by Dr Daniela Richterova, Senior Lecturer and Associate…

  44. The Honey Trap: A Tale of Scandi-Banking Noir

    · 28 min · S7 E8

    This episode explores the astonishing case of one of the world's biggest money-laundering schemes via the well-known Swedish Bank, Swedbank. Host Tom Keatinge, CFS Director, and investigative reporter Axel Gordh…

  45. Uncertainty Ahead: Sanctions and Trump's Return

    · 35 min · S7 E7

    How might a second Trump term reshape the US's use of sanctions? Host Kinga Redlowska, CFS Director Tom Keatinge and sanctions expert Jeff Lord examine the potential impact of a second Trump term on Russia, and how…

  46. Inside the Financial Empire of the Wagner Group

    · 40 min · S7 E6

    Tom Keatinge and Wagner expert Jack Margolin discuss how the group became a global mercenary powerhouse and how to counter the rise of such groups. With insights from Jack Margolin, author of 'The Wagner Group: Inside…

  47. The Economic War Against Russia

    · 39 min · S7 E5

    Host Kinga Redlowska, Head of CFS Europe, and Tom Keatinge, CFS Director, are joined by Stephanie Baker, Bloomberg investigative journalist and author of Punishing Putin. They delve into the impact of sanctions on…

  48. Addressing Authoritarian Abuse of the FATF Standards

    · 46 min · S7 E4

    Host Tom Keatinge sits down with CFS Associate Fellow Stephen Reimer and international lawyer Ishita Chakrabati to discuss how authoritarian regimes are abusing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.…

  49. Frankfurt Calling: A Conversation with Former FATF President Dr Marcus Pleyer

    · 36 min · S7 E3

    In this episode, host Tom Keatinge speaks with Dr Marcus Pleyer, former FATF president, about his role in shaping global financial crime policies and EU anti-money laundering efforts. They explore Marcus's…

  50. Addressing the Axis of Upheaval

    · 35 min · S7 E2

    In this episode, host Tom Keatinge, CFS Director, is joined by Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS, to discuss her co-authored article 'Axis of Upheaval'. They discuss the…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.