SpyCast

The Hunt for American Turncoats in World War II Europe

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0000

It’s a story that journalist and veteran Stephen Harding uncovered: a secret component of the FBI’s “European Operation,” whereby agents traveled abroad working undercover to track down American citizens who had betrayed their country during World War II. These traitors ran the gamut, from spreading propaganda for the Fascists and the Third Reich, to starting Nazi spy rings. What became of them is just as varied. Stephen pieced together the mission and targets by interviewing the relatives of FBI agents, sifting through British archives, and making Freedom of Information Act requests. It’s all documented in his new book, G.I. G-Men.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

The Story Isn't Over: Inside Havana Syndrome and the CIA’s Response

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Confusion and controversy are growing around the intelligence community’s handling of Havana Syndrome. This is what the government refers to as Anomalous Health Incidents, or AHIs. The mysterious health condition has left a group of American spies, diplomats, and service members with serious brain injuries. Many believe Russia’s hand is at play. But an intelligence community assessment from 2023 said most agencies concluded it is “very unlikely” a foreign adversary was behind the affliction. It hasn’t changed its stance despite new details coming to light. As Sasha first reported, the US government bought and has been testing a weapon that some scientists believe is likely the cause of these brain injuries. Sasha reached out to the CIA, which declined to comment then and declines to comment now. Accusations of a cover-up have been mounting, from inside the House Intelligence Committee to journalists covering AHI. Reporter Michael Weiss is part of a team that uncovered new information.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Palmer Luckey on the Next Generation of Intelligence

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0000

He may dress like he’s on a vacation in Hawaii, but Palmer Luckey has been busy designing weapons for the Pentagon. He founded California-based defense technology firm, Anduril, in 2017, named after a sword from the Lord of the Rings and, according to Palmer, is 20% veteran owned. He is promising a marked shift: faster, cheaper, and more agile systems to fight the wars of today and tomorrow. This comes after Palmer designed the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset, at age 19, revolutionizing the world of virtual reality. Palmer sat down to talk with Sasha about how Anduril’s work also supports the US intelligence community, an essential part of mission readiness.

*Note: ISR refers to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin: Lies, Spies, and Hitler

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Half-truths. Lies. Distrust. And spying. These were part and parcel of the tenuous relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin - the “Big Three” who were eventually brought together by their opposition to Adolf Hitler during World War II. From London, British historian Tim Bouverie lays out the complicated dynamics of this coalition. His new book, Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World, is out now.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Fake Shahs and Exfiltrations: Memories from CIA's Former Disguise Chief

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Jonna Mendez knows how to blend in and when to stand out. Starting out as a secretary at the CIA, she left as its Chief of Disguise. Her career took her into denied areas, where her special abilities assisted in a variety of high stakes operations - collecting on the adversary, recruiting and exfiltrating agents, and staying on the cutting edge of technology. She sits down with Sasha to discuss stories, many of which she has never shared before.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

When the CIA Lost a Nuclear Device in India

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

In the 1960s, the CIA lost a plutonium-fueled generator on top of a mountain in India. The generator was supposed to power an unmanned listening station, intended to pick up signals from China’s missile tests. But when mountaineers ascended the near 26,000-ft Nanda Devi – under the guise of studying the environment – weather got in their way. They left the nuclear device behind and months later, when they returned, it was gone. New York Times reporter Jeffrey Gettleman reconstructed this event with a team of journalists. The story took about seven years, thousands of miles, and earning the trust of many men who had grown old and have since passed away.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

AI Companions May Be China's Next Recruitment Tool

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

When you’re sitting alone, and you want company or advice, have you ever turned to Artificial Intelligence? Chip Usher, who spent 32 years in the CIA, has been looking at AI companions. The tech companies behind them claim they offer comfort and reliability. Chip says they mostly come from China, and eventually they will be used to collect personal data on users, building a roadmap for recruiting and influence. Chip has conducted research on the threat through his role as the Senior Director for Intelligence at a nonprofit called the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Roald Dahl: The Spy Behind the Storyteller

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Children grew up reading Roald Dahl’s tales of giant peaches and chocolate factories. Adults know about the controversy surrounding the antisemitic statements he made in his later years. But before becoming one of the most successful children’s authors of all time, Dahl worked for MI6, seducing Washington socialites and cozying up to the First Family. He did this to gather intelligence and exert influence for Winston Churchill in the early days of World War II. Writer Aaron Tracy delves into Dahl’s complicated life in his new podcast, The Secret World of Roald Dahl, and sat down with Sasha to discuss Dahl’s forays into espionage.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

In Bed With Beijing: The Double Agent Who Seduced Her FBI Handler

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Katrina Leung, code name Parlor Maid, received nearly two million dollars from the FBI for being their top China informant. But little did the Bureau know… she was a double agent, collecting intelligence for China’s Ministry of State Security. Not only that, she was also sleeping with her FBI handler, James J. Smith (J.J.). For nearly two decades, J.J. covered up reports that raised red flags about her. That’s where retired FBI agent Steven Conley comes in. He worked for J.J. in the LA field office and then became Katrina’s new handler, and soon realized she wasn’t exactly providing useful information. Ultimately, he helped extract two painful confessions in a case that damaged the FBI’s reputation for years.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Exfiltrating María Corina Machado from Venezuela

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Before Delta Force captured Nicolás Maduro, Bryan Stern went on a secret mission in Venezuela. The veteran and Purple Heart recipient was there to extract opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been living in hiding for her own safety. Bryan was trying to get María to Oslo to accept her Nobel Peace Prize. This daring operation – named Operation Golden Dynamite after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite – involved land, sea, and air. This is just one of many high-stakes evacuations Bryan has conducted through his nonprofit organization, Grey Bull Rescue. Sasha and Bryan sat down to discuss the operation, just a few days after he returned from Venezuela.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Hezbollah’s Long Game in Latin America

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

A 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina opened the world’s eyes to Hezbollah’s presence in Latin America. But the Iranian proxy, a US-designated terrorist group, has operated in the region since the 1980s. This started in the Tri-Border Area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, earning the nickname "the United Nations of crime." The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has said Hezbollah’s revenues in Central and South America fund its External Security Organization, which plans their terrorist plots overseas. Wes Tabor, a former DEA agent, knows all about it. He was part of a landmark case that exposed their ties to drug cartels and financial institutions. Wes takes us into the present, describing how the US’s removal of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela impacts Hezbollah’s presence in the Western Hemisphere.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Building the US’s First Known Gang Intelligence Database in Latin America

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

As an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who later embedded with the CIA, Wes Tabor worked to dismantle criminal networks in Central and South America - think gangs like MS-13, the Sinaloa Cartel, and Tren de Aragua. In 2006, he was stationed in Guatemala, a transit corridor for South American cocaine to enter the US. It was during this time that he created a gang intelligence system to help identify gang members, using biodata and records from regional prisons and police departments. As confirmed by two retired DEA agents, the FBI then took the database and made it their own. This is how it happened.

*Clarification: The US arrested Guatemala's anti-drug chief in 2009, while three high-ranking, anti-narcotics police officers were arrested by the U.S. in 2005.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

Looking Back on the US Invasion of Panama

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

This January marks the anniversary of the conclusion of Operation Just Cause, which began days before Christmas, on December 20th, 1989, when about 27,000 US troops deployed to Panama. Their mission was to capture Panama’s notorious dictator, General Manuel Noriega, whom the US had indicted for drug trafficking. Noriega had also been suppressing unarmed demonstrators, gathering intelligence on the local population, and harassing Americans- wielding weapons from the Soviet bloc. International Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa was an intelligence officer on the ground during the invasion, and he takes us from the first mortar to the moment when Noriega surrendered to US forces.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you by Goat Rodeo, N2K Networks, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

Directing The Night Manager

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

When The Night Manager aired in 2016, it was an instant success. Based on the 1993 John le Carré novel of the same name, the series centered on former British soldier Jonathan Pine. In the show, Pine is recruited by MI6 to infiltrate the secret network of a notorious arms dealer. Ten years later, the series returns, despite the fact le Carré never wrote a sequel before he died. Georgi Banks-Davies, the director of this second season, gives us a behind the scenes look at how the series charts new territory for Pine in the world of espionage.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org,

Inside the CIA’s Most Covert and Dangerous Branch: The Special Activities Center

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

For SpyCast’s 20th year, we’re kicking off the season with Brian Carbaugh. After serving in the CIA for over two decades, he retired as Director of the Special Activities Center- the Agency’s arm for covert action, where some of the boldest and most dangerous work happens with authorization from the president. This is a world few know about firsthand, and even fewer can discuss. Brian sits down with Sasha to give an inside look at the job, which he held from 2017 to 2021-pivotal years in the United States and around the world.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum. in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

The Man Behind John le Carré

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

John le Carré, born David Cornwell in 1931, was a British novelist renowned for his morally complex spy fiction. Writing under a pen name gave him the freedom to publish while he worked in both MI5 and MI6, but after the breakthrough success of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, he left the intel community world for good. Le Carré’s work spanned the globe, covering terrorism and drug networks, private banking and pharmaceutical exploitation, arms trades and resource plundering- often drawing on the people and places he knew firsthand. Le Carré’s vast personal archive is all on display in the new John le Carré: Tradecraft exhibition at the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Historian and curator Jessica Douthwaite joins Sasha to talk about the exhibition and what it reveals about his life and work.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

Inside Operation Odyssey Lightning in Libya

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

From August to December 2016, then Marine Special Operations Officer Ivan Ingraham lived on an assault ship off the coast of Sirte, a city in northern Libya that lies between Tripoli and Benghazi. It was the hometown of Muammar Gaddafi, who invested in Sirte before dying there during Libya’s first civil war. In the midst of a second civil war, ISIS had filled a power vacuum and overrun the city, sending its civilians fleeing. At the request of Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord, the United States provided support. Ivan led a five-man special operations team attached to a Marine Expeditionary Unit to help push ISIS out. The mission was known as Operation Odyssey Lightning.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

Auctioning Off the Key to Kryptos

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

At the CIA headquarters in Langley, you will find Kryptos, a large curved copper panel that holds the letters to four encrypted messages. The first three messages- K1, K2, and K3- were solved in the nineties, but K4 continued to mystify cryptographers for decades. That is until Jim Sanborn, the artist who created Kryptos, decided to auction off the plain text and the coding charts that can crack the very code to K4. This week, guest host Flora Warshaw sits down to talk with Bobby Livingston, the auctioneer who recently sold Jim Sanborn's private Kryptos archive for a staggering amount.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:

https://www.spymuseum.org/x

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

An Interview with the CIA’s Former “Q”

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Bob Wallace was appointed Deputy Director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Service in 1995 and became its director three years later. In other words, he was the CIA’s “Q.” The storied office dealt in microdots and secret writing, creating innovations that spanned concealments, forged documents, surveillance equipment, covert communications, and special weapons. In this interview, Sasha and Bob sit down to discuss the tactics and innovations he has never shared before, ranging from the low-tech to the Internet Age, to the devices and techniques used in the Global War on Terrorism.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org,

Inside the CIA’s Book Club Designed to Bring Down Communism

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

The CIA’s book club, known by the codename QRHELPFUL, was a secret 35-year program born of the fear that communism would dominate the globe. About 10 million books were smuggled into the Soviet Union during the Cold War, transported by trucks and yachts, in tins and luggage, and even dropped from balloons. The agency believed that the literature could win hearts and minds, turning citizens of the Soviet Bloc into dissidents. It’s all documented in author Charlie English’s new book, The CIA Book Club, the first narrative account of this program.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org,

The Hunt for China’s Spy Family

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

For decades, California-based engineer Chi Mak quietly stole secrets on war-fighting technologies. He and his family members shared the intelligence with spies in China, giving Beijing astounding insights they hadn’t earned. Former FBI Special Agent James Gaylord takes us back to the elaborate investigation in 2004. Evidence gathered by his squad, call sign “SARA-4,” broke a string of FBI failures in the courtroom. Chi went to prison, but new problems arose. Jim’s account is documented in his book, Chasing Chi.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

A Family of Spies and a Bloodline of Secrets

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

No other American has a family history quite like Christine Kuehn. Through years of doing painstaking interviews, hunting down letters, and pouring through FBI records, Christine learned that her German-born aunt had a fling with Nazi politician Joseph Goebbels. When he found out she was half-Jewish, Goebbels sent the family to Hawaii to spy. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Christine’s grandfather was found guilty of providing intelligence to the Japanese. In this episode we hear how Christine Kuehn strung together her family secrets to tell her family history in her book, Family of Spies, which is coming out November 25th.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From the SpyCast Vault: The Lumumba Plot and The Station Chief's Story

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

In our last episode, author Stuart Reid peeled back the curtain on 'The Lumumba Plot,' the CIA’s plan to assassinate Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically-elected Prime Minister of the Congo. Station Chief Larry Devlin was central to the CIA’s 1960 assassination plot. He never had to carry it out, but Lumumba was later killed in another plot that Devlin knew about, according to diplomatic cables released in 2013.

Today, we'll share more of our conversation with Stuart Reid. But first, we’re going back into our archives to bring you Devlin in his own words. In 2007, a year before he passed away, Devlin sat down with the International Spy Museum's Founding Director Peter Earnest to talk about his time in the Congo.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

The Lumumba Plot: Cold War in the Congo

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The Congo was just gaining its independence from Belgium in 1960 when its first democratically elected leader, Patrice Lumumba, faced an existential crisis: mutiny in his new army, followed by an unwelcome intervention by Belgian forces. Lumumba had hoped the U.S. would help, but when Washington turned its back, Lumumba turned to Moscow. And so began a CIA operation to assassinate Lumumba to stop the feared spread of Communism in Africa. The story is documented in The Lumumba Plot, a book by author Stuart Reid.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Russian Sabotage Operations and NATO’s Complex Alliance

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Russian drones and warplanes have been increasingly breaching the airspace of NATO countries. Admiral Joachim Rühle, (ret.) is the former Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, the headquarters of Command Operations - including defense, deterrence, and training to Ukrainians - in Belgium. He talked about Moscow’s incursions, its acts of sabotage, and how to manage this complex alliance.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Opening the Foreign Influence Toolkit

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Jessica Brandt knows a lot about influence. She was the director of the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which served as intermediary between the U.S. intelligence community and the public. It alerted private citizens and the public to disinformation operations orchestrated by adversaries overseas. Jessica explains how the toolkit has gotten larger, more sophisticated, and is being wielded by more countries than ever before.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From the SpyCast Vault: An Assassination in Mexico

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Keith Melton is a historian who’s been an advisor to the US Intelligence Community for decades. An avid collector and board member at The International Spy Museum, Keith has donated thousands of artifacts, and one of the most historically important is the axe used to assassinate Leon Trotsky. Keith found the weapon after decades of searching. In 2007, he spoke with Peter Earnest, the founding executive director of the International Spy Museum, about Trotsky’s assassination and tracking down the weapon used for the job.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

"This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC."

The Dark Web Broker

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Vinny Troia is at home on the Dark Web. The veteran hacker has developed relationships with cyberactors who have quietly stolen sensitive data from the far corners of the world. Vinny sells that data to law enforcement and intelligence agencies, like the CIA. His book, Grey Area: Dark Web Data Collection and the Future of OSINT, is out this October.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

To Catch a Drug Cartel

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Keith Bulfin was a banker, not a spy. But then came a special client–a supposed coffee importer who was actually a banker for Mexican and Colombian drug cartels. Soon, U.S. authorities were knocking on Keith’s door. He ended up behind bars in a maximum security prison. While in prison, Bulfin ended up befriending leaders of drug cartels and eventually became their private banker, while secretly feeding intelligence to the U.S. government. It was a descent into a world few see and fewer survive.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Retracing the Hunt for Bin Laden

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This Thursday marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, which spawned a decade-long search for the man behind them – Osama Bin Laden. Ed Bogan was the Chief of Operations for the CIA Counterterrorism Center’s Pakistan / Afghanistan Department. He takes us into agency headquarters, where he oversaw the raid on Bin Laden’s compound, and tells us what lessons can be learned from The Global War on Terror.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

An Assassination in Athens and a CIA Officer’s Legacy

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000

It’s been 50 years since the assassination of the CIA’s former Station Chief in Athens, Richard Welch. At the time, he was the agency’s highest level officer killed in the line of duty. A Greek, Marxist terrorist group called 17 November claimed responsibility for his death, but that was just the beginning. Former senior operations officer Ralph Mariani remembers that time and carries on Welch’s memory.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From the SpyCast Vault: Escaping Tehran with The CIA Pt. 2

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We return to November, 1979 when radical Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran and took dozens of Americans hostage.

Mark and Cora Lijek were two American officials stuck in Tehran, and in 2008 they shared their story with the late Peter Earnest, the founding director of the International Spy Museum. And this time they were joined by retired CIA officer Tony Mendez, who passed away in 2019. Tony helped plan and execute an elaborate deception and disguise operation, exfiltrating the diplomats before the Iranians figured it out.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From the SpyCast Vault: Escaping Tehran with The CIA

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We'll go back in time to November, 1979 when radical Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran and took dozens of Americans hostage. Six US officials managed to find refuge with Canadian embassy staff, and 11 weeks later, the CIA led a daring operation to sneak them out of Iran disguised as a Hollywood film crew. Mark and Cora Lijek were two of those officials, and in 2008 they shared their story with the late Peter Earnest, the founding director of the International Spy Museum.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Catching an Iranian-American Missile Broker

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Reza Olangian, a dual US-Iranian citizen, left behind his life in Silicon Valley to spy for Iran in the capital. And by the time DEA special agent Jeffrey James Higgins found out about him in 2011, Olangian was trying to acquire hundreds of surface-to-air missiles. That kicked off an elaborate, multi-country sting operation… and a 25-year prison sentence. Jeffrey believes the Iranians are using more surrogates to acquire weapons today.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Lethal Dissent: Iran’s Spy Games in Turkey

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Washington and Tehran have a long and complicated history, with tensions that rise, fall and then rise again. Just this summer, we watched the U.S. and Israel strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. This month, SpyCast is bringing you a series of special episodes on Iran, looking back and forward, to unveil the country’s intelligence priorities, capabilities, and tactics.

First in our series is Fariba Nawa. She's a journalist who shows us that if you want to learn about Iranian intelligence, one of the best places to look is Turkey. It may be a member of NATO, but it's also a country where Iranian dissidents flee because of their shared border.

And as Tehran tries to lure certain Iranians back, Israel tries to recruit them. It's a complex, deadly game that Fariba has been bravely documenting through the podcast Lethal Dissent.

Listen to Lethal Dissent here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Agent 202: New Secrets Emerge on an American Who Spied for Cuba

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Codenamed "Agent 202," Kendall Myers went undetected as a spy for Cuba for nearly 30 years. He worked at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute, secretly spying for Cuba out of an earnest love for the island, its people, and their leader Fidel Castro.

Myers was caught in 2009, after he retired. State Department Security Specialist and former Diplomatic Security Special Agent Bill Stowell was part of the team that worked the case. He shared new exclusive details with SpyCast, as Myers continues to serve a life sentence for espionage.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Queen of Cuba with Peter J. Lapp

The Skinny on Cuban Intelligence with Ean Forsyth | SpyCast

Caught in the Act : Catching Che Guevara (Cuba and the CIA)

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Agent of Chaos: The Austrian Fugitive Running Russia’s Global Spy Networks

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Today he’s one of the most wanted men in the world, but before Jan Marsalek fled to Russia, he was the COO of payment-processing firm Wirecard.

Officials and investigators say Marsalek used the company to finance Moscow’s covert operations and spy networks in Africa and Europe. In 2020, nearly €2 billion vanished from Wirecard, along with Marsalek. Financial Times reporter Sam Jones has been uncovering new details through his reporting on Season 3 of Hot Money: Agent of Chaos.

To hear more, listen to Season 3 of Hot Money: Agent of Chaos on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Russia's Fake Identity Assembly Line in Brazil | SpyCast

"The Minions": Putin's Expendable Spies | SpyCast

Russian Assassinations in the UK: Inside Three Notorious Cases with Historian Nigel West Curator's Corner: Kevin P. Riehle on Russian Intelligence

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Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From Intel Officer to White House Adviser: A Chat with The Museum’s Executive Director

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week we spoke with the International Spy Museum's Executive Director, Colonel Chris Costa. His decades-long career in the intelligence community spanned multiple continents, running sensitive operations in Panama, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he earned two Bronze stars for his human intelligence contributions. Later, Costa advised Navy Seals as a civilian and eventually assumed the role of Executive Director here at the International Spy Museum. In this interview, we zeroed in on 2017 when he was detailed to the White House as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism.

Looking for more thoughtful analysis of contemporary intelligence issues? Check out our program Spy Chat – Each month, Chris sits down with a special guest for a live online discussion of the latest intelligence, national security, and terrorism issues in the news. Check our program calendar to register!

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Special Guest: Tal Sullivan

An Evening with H.R. McMaster

Operación Jaque - The Daring Rescue Mission That Freed 15 Hostages

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

“America’s Gatekeeper”: A Conversation with DCSA’s Director David Cattler

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Born out of a major Chinese cyberattack that stole personal information from millions of federal government employees, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency calls itself ‘America’s Gatekeeper.’

Now five years into its existence, it’s responsible for overseeing most of the security clearances for government personnel and contractors. DCSA’s director David Cattler, formerly NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security, assesses the current threats.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose | SpyCast

Dir. of National Intelligence Roundtable: 2025 Society for Intelligence History Panel

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Carol Rollie Flynn

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Russia's Fake Identity Assembly Line in Brazil

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

When a Russian spy was arrested in Brazil in 2022, authorities were shocked to discover that he seemed to have a real birth certificate and authentic citizenship documents. The incident sparked a multi-year investigation that uncovered a network of Russian operatives living and working in Brazil – Their false identities supported by genuine documents. New York Times journalist Jane Bradley, who investigated the spy network, joined us to discuss the case as Brazilian law enforcement continues to piece together answers today.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Ghost Stories: The Hunt for Russian Spies in the US | SpyCast

"The Minions": Putin's Expendable Spies | SpyCast

Curator's Corner: Kevin P. Riehle on Russian Intelligence

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Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Breaking the Silence: Coming Out in the CIA

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Emerging alongside Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare in the 1950s was the Lavender Scare: Widespread panic and paranoia over the inclusion of gay personnel in the federal government. Their perceived dangers led to the terminations and forced resignations of thousands. Fast forward to 1988 – Tracey Ballard, who worked at the CIA, headed in to take a polygraph exam. Not sure what would happen next, she did something no one else ever had – She told her polygrapher, ‘I’m a lesbian.’ Trace became the first openly gay CIA employee, and spent the next decade of her career fighting for inclusion, acceptance, and kindness within the agency.

Her story highlights the critical importance of diversity, and the beauty in recognizing the things that make us different as well as the shared values that bring us all together. From all of us at the International Spy Museum, we are proud to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community this Pride month and beyond.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Hack to the Future with Emily Crose

Agents of Change: African American Professionals in the Intelligence Community Reflect

The Sisterhood with Liza Mundy

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Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

A Conversation with House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000

What should the US Intelligence Community prioritize domestically and overseas, and how should the work be done? We sat down with Congressman Rick Crawford, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, to learn his perspective on these questions. The conversation emphasized the growing threat of China’s influence in the West, the impact of the new Open Source Intelligence Subcommittee, and the importance of analytic integrity in intelligence.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Special Guest: Beth Sanner

Dir. of National Intelligence Roundtable: 2025 Society for Intelligence History Panel

An Evening with H.R. McMaster

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Ghost Stories: The Hunt for Russian Spies in the US

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In the early 2000s, the FBI uncovered a team of Russian operatives who had been living double lives in the United States. They were posing as professors, journalists, financial planners, real estate and travel agents, all while sending information back to Moscow. Now, 15 years after they were arrested, Alan Kohler, the former Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, tells us what it was like to supervise the case which came to be known as Operation Ghost Stories.

In this episode, Alan mentions a number of different photos and videos from the Ghost Stories investigation. You can view them all here through the FBI’s digital vault.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

"The Minions": Putin's Expendable Spies

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Alan E. Kohler, Jr.

Curator's Corner: Kevin P. Riehle on Russian Intelligence

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

The Secret Navy and Their Hunt for a Nazi Sub

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

How do you catch an enemy’s submarine … and then make it vanish? That’s what the U.S. Navy’s elusive Tenth Fleet planned, as it tracked down Germany’s U-505 submarine. The mission came right before the Allies ran ashore on the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Historian Alexander Rose draws on long classified documents and intercepted transmissions to reveal the bold, salt-soaked heist.

Alex's new book, Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II’s Most Daring Heist is available now.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Zo: The Extraordinary Woman Who Parachuted Into Nazi-Occupied Poland

Enigma Traitors with Dermot Turing

The Heavy Water Sabotage Raid

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This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How Are Shifting Priorities Impacting National Security in America?

Tue, 27 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Most Americans would agree that the United States should be protected, but from whom … and how? Dr. Donell Harvin, the former Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the District of Columbia, says the U.S. is taking its eye off the ball - focusing its large domestic intelligence apparatus in a direction that is politically expedient, but not in line with the most serious threats.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose | SpyCast

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Special Guest: Colin Clarke

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Sharing Intelligence: Challenges between US and Ukraine

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

After Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. rushed to create a secret center that set targets for the Ukrainians to destroy. But the counteroffensive of 2023 failed to achieve its goals. So, what went wrong? New York Times reporter Adam Entous spent more than a year reporting on this story. He joins SpyCast host Sasha Ingber to talk about what was going on behind the scenes, and the consequences that were felt acutely on the battlefield.

Read Adam’s full report here.

The International Spy Museum has launched its first ever digital exhibition: Open Source: Ukraine & The Intelligence Revolution. Give it a visit to learn more about the role of publicly accessible information in intelligence collection and analysis.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

SpyCast Live: Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship

An Evening with General David H. Petraeus

SpyCast - “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

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Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Stories From the President's Daily Brief

Tue, 13 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Conflict has been escalating between two nuclear powers–India and Pakistan. It started in April, after India blamed Pakistan for supporting militants who carried out a massacre in Kashmir. President Trump offered to help defuse the tensions.Throughout history, India and Pakistan’s hostility has been documented in the President's Daily Brief, a highly classified rundown of threats facing the United States. Former CIA officer David Priess, author of The President's Book of Secrets, tells us how the PDB mattered in relations between India and Pakistan.

To learn more, check out David’s book, the President's Book of Secrets, the Untold Story of Intelligence briefings to America's Presidents.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Special Guest: Beth Sanner

The President's Book of Secrets - Understanding the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) with David Priess

Hot Topics: Intelligence Challenges in an Election Year

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Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

The Minions: Putin's Expendable Spies

Tue, 06 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000

They were a spy cell like no other — operating from quiet British suburbs, hailing from Bulgaria, and working on behalf of Russia. Their handler dubbed them “The Minions,” and their plots stretched across Europe and spanned honeytraps, abductions, and murder. At the time of this recording, six have been convicted and await sentencing. To parse out the case, we spoke with Gordon Corera, a British author and co-host of The Rest is Classified podcast.

Check out The Rest is Classified here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Special Guest: Paul Whelan

Russian Assassinations in the UK: Inside Three Notorious Cases with Historian Nigel West

Curator's Corner: Kevin P. Riehle on Russian Intelligence

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The United States and Ukraine have had a long, complicated history that has been defined by just as much partnership and collaboration as hesitation and disagreement. This dynamic is laid bare in the 7-part podcast series ‘Escalation,’ produced by our partners at Goat Rodeo, with the national security publication Lawfare. In April 2025, The International Spy Museum hosted a panel discussion on the Washington-Kyiv relationship moderated by SpyCast host Sasha Ingber, and featuring Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Lapatina, Lawfare’s Managing Editor Tyler McBrien, Retired Brigadier General Kipling Kahler, and former National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.

To listen to the whole Escalation series, visit:

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/podcasts-multimedia/podcast/escalation

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Where the ‘West V. Russia’ Plot Begins

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Why does Vladimir Putin often say that the West is conspiring to weaken Russia? Historian James Crossland traces this narrative back to a British intelligence officer and a failed assassination attempt on Vladimir Lenin in 1918.

The story is featured in his new book, Rogue Agent, from Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart. James takes us into Lockhart’s psyche and lays out how a single moment in the dying days of Czarist Russia helped fuel a century of paranoia and rifts.

SPY Artifact Highlight: Trotsky Ice Axe

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Sidney Reilly: Master Spy with Benny Morris

Accessory to a Mission - Gadgets and Gear For The Well-Dressed Spy

SpyCast | Rise of Devils - The Origin of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Government employees were dismissed with startling swiftness and sweeping in the midst of the Trump administration's relentless pursuit to pare down the federal workforce. The sheer number of fired personnel and the manner in which US officials let them go have led to concerns that disillusioned former employees may share what they know with foreign intelligence services, jeopardizing the very security they once sought to protect. Bill Evanina, former Director of Counterintelligence, discusses this fear and how foreign adversaries are exploiting the moment.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Dir. of National Intelligence Roundtable: 2025 Society for Intelligence History Panel

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Alan E. Kohler, Jr.

Prefer to watch your podcasts? Find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@IntlSpyMuseum/podcasts.

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

It's no secret that China has recently stepped up political and military pressure on the democratically governed island of Taiwan. But then, there are the Chinese Communist Party's covert efforts: Recruiting from the inside, gathering intelligence, and exerting influence. Executive Director of the Global Taiwan Institute Russell Hsiao breaks down Beijing Shadow Games in Taiwan.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

SpyCast | “Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin

Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases | SpyCast

Join Valerie aboard the Spies at Sea cruise August 30 - September 8, 2025! On this 10-day voyage across the Mediterranean, you’ll explore beautiful sights and ancient cities while immersing yourself in the world of espionage with exclusive seminars. Learn more here: https://www.spiesliesnukes.com/spies-at-seas-2025

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Introducing Targeted

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Targeted uncovers harrowing stories of people who have been singled out and systematically dismantled—whether for political reasons, personal vendettas, or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Each episode deep dives into the tactics used against someone, the devastating consequences, and the remarkable lessons they’ve learned in their fight to survive. Targeted gives listeners the tools to recognize and resist being targeted themselves. If you’ve ever wondered how systems meant to protect can be weaponized, or what to do if you find yourself in the crosshairs, this podcast is for you. Find episodes of Targeted at targeted.com, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.

Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Nicholas Eftimiades’ 34 year career in government spanned the CIA, State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He's published three books that examine the structure, methodology and operations of China's intelligence services. This, he says, led a Chinese communist newspaper to declare him an enemy of the state in the ‘90s. Now, Nick is retired, and he's been building an unusual database tracking some 900 cases of Chinese espionage. We sat down to dive in.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

How China's spy balloon isn't so unique for espionage technology

Curator's Corner | Trafficking Data with Aynne Kokas

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Remembering The CIA’s Mind Games

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Sidney Gottlieb was one of the CIA’s star chemists during the Cold War. As head of MKUltra, he ran a brazen—and deadly—program aimed at mind control.

Gottlieb and fellow scientists tried to keep the work secret by destroying files, but historian John Lisle has new details from the six boxes that remained untouched. He shares insights and reflections straight from the mouths of MKUltra’s perpetrators and victims.

John’s new book, Project Mind Control, sheds light on one of the CIA’s darkest moments which still haunts the agency. Available now for pre-order.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

The Dirty Tricks Department with John Lisle

THE SOUND: Mystery of Havana Syndrome

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From Covert to Overt: Valerie Plame on political retaliation

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Valerie Plame’s clandestine life made headlines in 2003 after her CIA cover was leaked to the press. Her husband, an ambassador, had gone to Niger to investigate whether yellowcake uranium had been transferred to Iraq to make weapons of mass destruction.

He publicly challenged the Bush administration on what we now know was false intelligence. Valerie’s unmasking was seen as retaliation. Now, over 20 years later, she reflects on the political scandal, and where her concerns lie today.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Author Debriefing: Burned with Valerie Plame

National Security Now: An Evening with Gina Bennett and Peter Bergen

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Eyes on The Ground: The National Resistance Front in Afghanistan

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

After the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan, the National Resistance Front rose up to defy them. We spoke with their leader Ahmad Massoud, who has overseen hundreds of military and intelligence-gathering operations. He’s following the footsteps of his father, who led his own resistance group, the Northern Alliance, until members of Al Qaeda assassinated him two days before they conducted the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Fast forward to the mid-2000s, International Spy Museum executive director Chris Costa, then a human intelligence officer, worked with that group to develop intel on the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Now, in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal and Afghanistan’s collapse, Costa says the U.S. is losing an opportunity to support Massoud and the National Resistance Front.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ali Maisam Nazary

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Christine Abizaid

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

He was an American spy before an American spy agency existed. NFL player Ernest Cuneo, a little known first generation Italian American, worked with British intelligence to convince the United States to join World War II, and helped lay the groundwork for modern day espionage. Thomas Maier traces Cuneo’s extraordinary life in his new book, The Invisible Spy, out March 25th.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Link: The Spy Erased from History | With former FBI Counterintelligence Expert

The Dirty Tricks Department with John Lisle

Operation Underworld with Matthew Black

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Debriefing from the Ukrainian Front

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

A fourth year of war in Ukraine begins. But for Lt. Col. Kyrylo Berkal, who’s been fighting since Russia first invaded in 2014, the battle for his country has raged much longer. Now, he’s second in command of the elite Third Assault Brigade, which has played a major role in critical battles against Russia and continues to develop new technologies to both gather intelligence and enhance combat techniques.

Kirt spoke to us between missions. During the conversation, he revealed his firsthand insights and experiences of the war as Ukraine keeps up the fight for independence.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

An Evening with General David H. Petraeus

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ambassador Roger D. Carstens

SpyCast - “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy?

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

She’s known for helping to free people through the Underground Railroad, but Harriet Tubman was also a spy during the Civil War. And with the intelligence she collected, the Maryland native became the first woman to lead men into battle on gunboats down the Combahee River in South Carolina. The Combahee River Raid destroyed several vital Confederate rice plantations and liberated more than 750 people from enslavement.

Social historian Edda Fields-Black reveals new details about the raid and Tubman.

And later in the episode, Ernestine Wyatt, Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, discusses the importance of Harriet’s espionage work and the legacy of her dedication to democracy.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

The Real Harriet Tubman

African Americans in Espionage | International Spy Museum

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at spycast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

What's next for Kim Jong Un?

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top diplomat for North Korea, takes us inside the mind of one of the world's most opaque leaders.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Dr. Jung H. Pak

AI and Emerging Technologies: Intelligence Opportunities & Challenges

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Campus Cloak-and-Dagger: Spies Targeting American Universities

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

For decades, colleges and universities have been a destination for espionage. Especially in recent years, the use of international students and faculty as spies on American campuses has been particularly daunting. Why do intelligence services, both foreign and domestic, target colleges and universities? And what is there to gain on these campuses? Award-winning journalist Daniel Golden, author of the book Spy Schools, describes the timeless game.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Agent Zo: The woman who defied the Nazis and Communists

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Agent Zo was the only female Polish resistance agent to reach London as a courier during WWII and the only female member of Poland's fabled 'Silent Unseen' paratroopers. Yet despite having researched Poland's wartime resistance movement, many of us have never heard of her. Why?

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Zo: The Extraordinary Woman Who Parachuted Into Nazi-Occupied Poland

Women Spies of WWII with Ellen McCarthy, Judith L. Pearson, and Erika Robuck

The Danger of the Femme Fatale Narrative

Code Name Madeleine with author Arthur J. Magida

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How will President Trump handle intelligence in his second term?

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, what can we expect for the intelligence community? On his first full day in his first term, he visited the CIA to voice support. But he has also displayed deep skepticism and accused spy agencies of undermining him. Beth Sanner is a highly decorated, retired career intelligence officer who briefed Trump with the President’s Daily Brief, a highly classified summary of the US most critical national security threats. She shares her thoughts on what lies ahead.

If you liked this episode, check out:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How do you fool Russian Intelligence?

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Former intelligence officer Bryan Stern describes the tradecraft he used on Russian intelligence and military services to rescue an American imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

If you liked this episode check out these links to more hostage rescue stories:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

To learn more about Bryan’s work with Grey Bull you can visit greybullrescue.org.

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Introducing the New Host: Sasha Ingber

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Introducing the new host of SpyCast, Sasha Ingber! In this week’s episode, Sasha joined Erin in a conversation about her career and the future of the International Spy Museum’s flagship podcast. Now entering it’s 19th year, SpyCast will relaunch on January 14th with brand new episodes, featuring exciting spy stories and the latest intelligence from the shadowy world of espionage. Tune in to learn more about Sasha, our very first female host and the first host with a background in journalism.

As we look forward to our upcoming relaunch, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to those who have had a hand in uplifting SpyCast throughout the past 18 years. In particular, we’d like to thank our outgoing host Dr. Andrew Hammond, whose passion for the history of intelligence and genuine connection with each of our guests shined through each of the 200+ episodes he produced. A special thanks is also due to our friends at N2K Networks for their talented production and unwavering support of the podcast.

We can’t wait to introduce you all to the new era of SpyCast. See you in the new year!

Subscribe to Sasha’s Substack, HUMINT, here: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

From the Vault: “The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His reflections on the CIA at 75
How the CIA’s story intersected with his own
His take on the organization’s strengths and weaknesses
The complex intl. environment the CIA must now help America navigate

Reflections

Twists of fate
Identity and institutions

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Robert M. Gates is the first career officer in the CIA’s history to rise from entry level employee to Director. He spent 27 years at CIA, nine of those at the NSC. More recently, he was the first Secretary of Defense to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president. In all, he served 8 presidents.

Wouldn’t you love to know his take on the CIA at 75? Well, we’ve made that happen for you!

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, served in the U.S.A.F. and he received his undergraduate education at William & Mary, his masters from Indiana University, and his doctorate from Georgetown University. He was formerly the President of Texas A&M University and the current Chancellor of William & Mary.

And…

The academic institutions Dr. Gates has been associated with all have quite different capacities of football stadium: Georgetown University’s Cooper Field can hold 3,750; William & Mary’s Zable Stadium can hold 12,259; Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium can hold 52,626; and Texas A&M’s Kyle Stadium can hold a whopping 102,733. What could we infer about Dr. Gates, college sports, or the United States from this information? Well, that would be thinking like an intelligence analyst.

Quote of the Week

"I've led four very big, very different institutions and like all of them I always saw where places where CIA could be better. But I always loved the place, and I always was proud to work there and proud of the people that I knew…they were probably the smartest, most honest people I've ever met and worked with." – Robert Gates.

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Reorganization in the Intel. Community,” DCI Gates (1992)
Watch this prescient clip on historical naivete, or if you’re hardcore, the entire congressional testimony

SpyCasts

“Dealing with Russia” – with Jim Olson (2022)
“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – with Mike Morell (2021)

Beginner Resources

History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [website]
CIA Director’s Portrait Gallery, CIA (n.d.) [online gallery]
Impact of President G.H.W. Bush’s Foreign Policy, MSNBC (2018) [13 min. video]
At 75, CIA Back Where it Started, Countering Kremlin, G. Myre, NPR (2022) [5 min. audio]

Books

Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
Duty, R. Gates (Vintage, 2015) [Def. Sec. memoir]
A World Transformed, Bush & Scowcroft (Knopf, 1998)
From the Shadows, R. Gates (S&S, 1996) [CIA memoir]
Power & Principle, Z. Brzezinski (FS&G, 1983) [Gates was Z.B.’s Special Asst. at the NSC during the Carter era]

Articles

A More Realistic Strategy for the Post-Cold War Era, R. Gates, WaPo (2022)
Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, M. Warner, SII (1996)

Video

Legacy of the G.H.W.B. Administration, CFR (2016)
Book Talk: From the Shadows, R. Gates, C-Span (1996)

Documentary

The Spymasters, Showtime (2015)

“An Imperial History of the CIA” – with Hugh Wilford

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Hugh Wilford joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss his new book. Hugh is a professor, author, and leading CIA historian.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Imperial influences on American intelligence
Key figures in CIA history
“Wild” Bill Donovan & British influence
Groton School’s impact on CIA leaders

Reflections

Inherited history
Challenging established narratives

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*Spotlight Resource*

The CIA: An Imperial History, Hugh Wilford (Basic Books, 2024)

*SpyCasts*

The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024)
The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)
The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA, R. Jeffreys-Jones (Oxford University Press, 2022)
Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
A Brief History of the CIA, R. Immerman (Wiley, 2014)

Primary Sources

Sherman Kent Obituary (1986)
Maj. Gen. Edward G. Lansdale to go to South Vietnam (1965)
CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947)
National Security Act (1947)
Intelligence Remarks of Major General William J. Donovan (1946)

*Wildcard Resource*

Kim (1901) by Rudyard Kipling
As Hugh mentions in this interview, this book was the inspiration behind Kermit Roosevelt Jr.’s nickname, Kim. Harold Adrian Russell Philby, the infamous member of the Cambridge Spy Ring better known as Kim Philby, took inspiration from the same source.

“The Battlefield Tour Guide” with Bob Shaw

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Robert Shaw joins Andrew to discuss his experience working as an accredited Battlefield tour guide. Bob’s career in the British Army spanned over 25 years.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Becoming a battlefield tour guide
IEDD and Intelligence Work in Northern Ireland
Hypothetical WWIII scenarios
Special Forces, TECHINT, & the Bin Laden Raid

Reflections

Learning from history
Interpretation and understanding

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“One of the things about being an IEDD operator, our intent of course is investigation. And part of that is asking questions, lots of them, and getting, in a sense, answers and then following off and chasing trails or rabbit holes … It's good to be able to question everything and work out why it's there and does it fit … So it does really help with battlefield touring.” – Bob Shaw.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma with Andrew Hodges (2024)
The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024)
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: The D-Day Deception with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Explore the Sites and Battlefields Discussed

*Wildcard Resource*

The Battle of Gettysburg is perhaps one of the most well-known and most visited battlefields in the United States.
Take a virtual tour of this historic American site here – Tour guidance by Bob not included.

“Two Decades at the International Spy Museum” – with Anna Slafer

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Anna Slafer (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of the International Spy Museum. Anna was one of SPY’s first employees when the museum opened in 2002.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Building the International Spy Museum
Milton Maltz: the visionary behind SPY
The role of historians and curators
Creating exhibits on espionage

Reflections

Institutional memory and evolution
The challenges and joys of storytelling

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“We structured the museum so people could understand: How does [spying] work? Who does it? What is my role? And we wanted to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.” – Anna Slafer.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann (2024)
Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
Peter Earnest Memorial: Spook, CIA Spokesman, Spy Museum Director (2022)

Beginner Resources

A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
About Museums, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short Q&A]

DEEPER DIVE

Articles

Cracking the Spy Museum Code to Revitalize Stale Learning, J. A. Manning, Medium (2023)
A Reimagined Spy Museum in Washington Doesn’t Flinch From the Darker Side, S. Shane, The New York Times (2019)
From For-Profit to Nonprofit: Evolution of the International Spy Museum, E. Merritt, American Alliance of Museums (2019)
Spy Museum salutes '50 years of Bond Villains,' T. Wells, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2012)
Role of museums in managing design education: a case study, H. Lee, International Journal of Education Through Art (2009)
Museum visitors hit the D.C. streets in spy game, B. Zongker, Seattle Times (2009)

Wildcard Resource

Museums have been a critical element of community building and historical memory for centuries.
One of the world’s first curators was a woman named Ennigaldi-Nanna from modern day Iraq. Dating from 530 B.C., Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum of Mesopotamian artifacts is thought to be the world’s oldest museum.

Leadership & The United States Pacific Command with Ret. Lieutenant General Anthony Crutchfield

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Lieutenant General Anthony Crutchfield (Ret.) (LinkedIn, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss his time as the Deputy Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command. PACOM covers 52% of the globe.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The role of intelligence in military operations
Ethical dilemmas in command decisions
Reflections on the impact of mentorship and outreach
The importance of remaining aware in today's pervasive world

Reflections

The challenges of leadership
Hard work, determination, and resilience

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I worked hard at everything I did. If somebody asked me to do a job, I didn’t say, ‘That’s not my job,’ I didn’t complain. There were places that I was sent that I didn’t want to go, but I went – And I didn’t complain about it…I did the best that I could and it was recognized.” – Anthony Crutchfield.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

Leading United States Central Command with General Frank McKenzie (2024)
CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, K. F. McKenzie (Naval Institute Press, 2024)
Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023)
Strategy in Crisis: The Pacific War, J. T. Kuehn (Naval Institute Press, 2023)
Fire on the Water: China, America, and the Future of the Pacific, R. J. Haddick (Naval Institute Press, 2014)

Primary Sources

*Wildcard Resource*

PACOM is, by far, the largest geographical combatant command. The smallest, on the other hand, is the U.S. Central Command. Listen to our interview with General Frank McKenzie, 14th commander of CENTCOM, here!

“Applying Intelligence to Business Strategy” with Jonathan B. Smith

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jonathan B. Smith (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Building high-performance teams
Case officers vs. entrepreneurs
Networking and overcoming operational challenges
Curiosity as a key trait for success

Reflections

The will to succeed
The power of listening and empathy

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin (2024)
The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
Spying and Start-Ups with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video]
What is EOS? Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet]
Case Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)
Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)

“The Skinny on Cuban Intelligence” – with Counterintelligence expert Ean Forsythe

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ean Forsythe joins Andrew to discuss the history of Cuban intelligence. Ean is the Counterintelligence and Security Center Chair at the National Intelligence University.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The history and evolution of Cuban intelligence
Case studies, including Ana Montes, Kendall Meyers, and the Cuban Five
Counterintelligence strategies and challenges
The role of Cuban intelligence during the Cold War

Reflections

Ideology and the power of ideas
Offensive vs. defensive play

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)
To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. M. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021)
United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)

Primary Sources

Report on the Convictions and Disproportionate Sentences Imposed on the Cuban Five (2014)
USA: The Case of the Cuban Five (2010)
Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005)
US vs. Marta Rita Velazquez (2004)
Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001)
FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001)
Selection and Training of Cuban Intelligence Agents Abroad (1964)
Cuban Intelligence Information Report (1964)

Wildcard Resource

Watch Erin bake Ana Montes’ famous cheesecake recipe and dive deeper into Ana’s story in SPY's Declassified Desserts video!

Bellingcat: An Intelligence Agency for the People with Eliot Higgins

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Eliot Higgins (X; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the work of Bellingcat. Eliot founded the open-source investigative website in 2014.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Bellingcat’s approach to “investigative journalism”
The rise of OSINT as a tool of journalism
Bellingcat’s relationship with intelligence agencies
Case studies from Bellingcat’s past, including the Skripal Case and the MH17 flight investigation

Reflections

Leading by example
Accessibility and accountability

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“When I first started doing this work ... I would present geolocation and stuff on stage. The reaction was like I was doing magic tricks, but my point was that. This isn't magic – This is something that you can do and recreate and understand.” - Eliot Higgins.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence with Jennifer Ewbank (2024)
The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)
U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)
We Are Bellingcat: The Online Sleuths Solving Global Crimes, E. Higgins (Bloomsbury, 2022)

Primary Sources

Map of Civilian Harm in Ukraine (2024)
Death of Sinwar Report (2024)
The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024)
DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024)
MH17 Investigation (2019)
Skripal Report (2018)

Wildcard Resource

The fable of Belling the Cat
The inspiration behind Bellingcat’s name, the moral of this story is simple – It’s one thing to suggest a solution or idea, but it’s a whole other beast to actually take action.

The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Cameron Malin (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss cyber and behavioral profiling. Cameron was the creator and founder of the FBI’s Cyber Behavioral Analysis Center.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The historical origins of behavioral profiling
Applying behavioral profiling to counterintelligence and cyber threats
Nature vs. Nurture in criminal behavior
The future of deception and cyberwarfare

Reflections

The complexity of the human mind
Threat evolution

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“We need to think about cybersecurity as not just hacking and malware and the obvious tangible or known weapons that are used, it includes mental malware … Deep fakes and disinformation, things that can cause erroneous decision making that are just as powerful.” – Cameron Malin

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand (2020)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets through Computer-Mediated Communications, C. Malin et. al. (Academic Press, 2017)
Incendiary: The Psychiatrist, the Mad Bomber, and the Invention of Criminal Profiling, M. Cannell (Minotaur Books, 2017)
Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, J. Douglas & M. Olshaker (1995)

Primary Sources

Lone Offender Terrorism Report (2019)
A Study of Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States Between 2000 and 2013 (2018)
FBI Jack the Ripper Profile (1988)
Criminal Investigation: A Practical Handbook (1907 translation)
UK Parliamentary Debates (1888)

Wildcard Resource

Mindhunter (2017-2019)
While not perfectly accurate, this TV show (heavily inspired by the book of the same name, listed above) is a truly excellent watch.

The FBI Hostage Negotiator - with Chris Voss

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Chris Voss (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the art of negotiation. Chris formerly served as the FBI lead international hostage negotiator.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The very basics of negotiation, including the phrase “Never split the difference”
The art of Tactical Empathy
Case studies from Chris’ career, including the Dos Palmas kidnappings
Techniques in ethical interrogation

Reflections

Pressure makes diamonds
Human nature & understanding “the other side”

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Never take advice from somebody that you wouldn’t trade places with. Never take directions from somebody who hasn’t been where you’re going … I’m coachable, but I know who to be coached by.” – Chris Voss.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son with His Mother Diane Foley (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
The FBI Way - Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi (2021)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

American Mother, C. McCann and D. Foley (Etruscan Press, 2024)
The Siege, B. Macintyre (Crown, 2024)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Want to learn even more? Check out Chris’ MasterClass on the Art of Negotiation.
And while you’re there, tune in to MasterClass’ other intelligence and espionage-related courses featuring insights from John Douglas, Michael Morrell & more, and Condoleezza Rice.

The U.S. House Intelligence Committee - with Ranking Member Congressman Jim Himes

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jim Himes (Website; X) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the U.S. House Intelligence Committee. Jim has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district since 2009.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Its role and operations
The importance of bipartisan collaboration
Transparency and accountability in intelligence
Congressman Himes' personal experiences during 9/11, its impact on his career in intelligence, and 9/11’s impact on intelligence at large

Reflections

Public trust and earning confidence
Partnership and cooperation

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I get asked all the time, ‘Oh my gosh, you see all the threats. Do you sleep at night?’ … Yes, I do see with particularly exquisite detail the threats against us. I also get to see the detail of the assets and the people that we deploy against those threats. And because I get to see with great detail the assets and the tools that we have to address those threats, yes, I do sleep at night. Not because they will ever be perfect, but because these are incredibly dedicated people, the technology is amazing, and it is commensurate with the threats out there.” -Jim Himes

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence with Jennifer Ewbank (2024)
The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)
The Future of NATO with Leon Panetta and Expert Panel (2024)
CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Sies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence, A. B. Zegart (Princeton University Press, 2022)
The Secret World: A History of Intelligence, C. Andrew (Yale University Press, 2019)
The First Congress: How James Madison, George Washington, and a Group of Extraordinary Men Invented the Government, F. M. Bordewich (Simon & Schuster, 2016)

Primary Sources

House Intelligence Committee COVID-19 Report (2022)
Unclassified Summary of the Second Interim Report on the Origins of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2022)
House Intelligence Committee Report on Russian Active Measures (2018)
Snowden Report (2016)
The 9/11 Commission Report (2004)

H. Res. 658 (1977)

Wildcard Resource

One of Connecticut’s very first representatives was a gentleman named Roger Sherman. Sherman is unique not only for being one of Jim’s congressional predecessors but also because he is the only person to have signed all four great state papers of the United States.
These include: The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Articles of Association, and the Constitution. As a bonus, he also signed the 1774 Petition to the King.

Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence - with Jennifer Ewbank

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jennifer Ewbank (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the integration of technology within intelligence. Jennifer recently retired from her role as Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The qualities and skills of great digital leadership
Risk management in intelligence
The roles, responsibilities, and emotional toll of the Chief of Station
The integration of technology across CIA operations

Reflections

Humility and lifelong learning
Leadership in dynamic arenas

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Intelligence isn't about knowing exactly what's going to happen … It's about delivering a decision advantage to our policymakers. Decision advantage doesn't mean that I can tell you precisely what's going to happen and when. You never have perfect information, and you have to be able to move still. You can't be paralyzed by a desire to seek that last detail when, particularly in digital tech space, like the world is moving rapidly all around you.” – Jennifer Ewbank.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)
Cybersecurity in The White House with Camille Stewart Gloster (2024)
Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

The IC OSINT Strategy (2024)
2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States (2024)
National Cybersecurity Strategy (2023)
Ethical Frameworks in Open Source Intelligence (2022)

Wildcard Resource

ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool in our toolboxes anymore. In this episode, Jennifer mentioned Osiris, an AI tool that helps Agency staff analyze and sort mass amounts of information.
If you’re feeling similarly overwhelmed at work and looking for your own AI assistant, check out this list of the best AI productivity tools and start making your life easier!

Ciphers, Disguise, and Invisible Ink: Tools of the Trade with Pete Langman & Nadine Akkerman

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Pete Langman and Nadine Akkerman join Andrew to discuss espionage in Elizabethan England. Pete and Nadine are authors of the new book Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Spymasters of the Elizabethan era
Techniques in forgeries, invisible inks, and seal-making
The impact of spies on important historical events like the Spanish Armada
The connections between espionage and religious tension

Reflections

Creativity & Innovation
The risks and dangers of early espionage

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Spies are involved with bribery. They cheat and they lie, so it’s immoral, and often there are things that are just illegal in other instances, such as forgery of documents. Other people would get their ears clipped or their noses slit if they forged documents.If you are a spy, you are being asked to do that on the job. So it's a dangerous game and the lines are very thin.” – Nadine Akkerman.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, N. Akkerman & P. Langman (Yale University Press, 2024)

SpyCasts

The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
The Information Battlespace – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2022)
So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker? with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021)

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Natural magick, Smithsonian Digital Library (1658)
Page of Ciphers Used by Mary Queen of Scots, UK National Archives (1586)
Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots in Sheffield Castle to Elizabeth I, British Library (1582)
Mary, Queen of Scots to Sir William Cecil, UK National Archives (1570)
De Furtivis Literarum notis (1563)

Wildcard Resource

Use this invisible ink recipe from the UK National Archives to send your own secret messages.
You may recognize this heat method from one of Erin’s favorite movies, National Treasure (2004), where a secret message is revealed on the back of the Declaration of Independence.

The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jason Barrett (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the integration of open-source intelligence into the American Intelligence Community. Jason is the first-ever OSINT Executive.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Historical examples of OSINT
The evolution of Open Source Intelligence
The challenges and unique opportunities OSINT presents
The future of OSINT within the Intelligence Community

Reflections

Trust and transparency
Efficiency in intelligence gathering

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“We're living in an age when credibility and trust is really important to build. This is an opportunity for the IC to really build that trust, I think in important ways. So, it's an area I think you will see more of us being more transparent in our work.” – Jason Barrett.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024)
Cybersecurity in The White House with Camille Stewart Gloster (2024)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)
Open Source Intelligence Methods and Tools: A Practical Guide to Online Intelligence, N. A. Hassan & R. Hijazi (Apress, 2018)

Primary Sources

The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024)
DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024)
Ethical Frameworks in Open-Source Intelligence (2022)
Open-Source Intelligence, Department of the Army (2012)
Department of Defense OSINT Instruction (2010)

Wildcard Resource

You’ve probably practiced OSINT techniques many times before – Think, Facebook stalking your old college friends to see what they’re up to. Many video games also involve the usage of open-source collection techniques:
Return of the Obra Dinn (2018) is one such critically acclaimed video game. The game, set on an early 19th-century ship, challenges its player to solve the mystery of what happened to the crew onboard by piecing together scraps of information from journal entries and related documents.

The Spycatcher Affair & MI5: The Scandal that Shook Britain with Tim Tate

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Tim Tate (Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss the Spycatcher Affair. Tim is a best-selling author and award-winning filmmaker.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Peter Wright: His background and motives
The contents of Spycatcher including the exposure of alleged soviet moles
The UK’s efforts to keep their secrets secret
The lasting effects of the Spycatcher Affair

Reflections

Personal secrecy vs. public security
Censorship and free speech

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

"[Wright] found truly acres of paperwork from old files which had been disregarded and hadn't been properly followed up on and leads that hadn't been properly followed. And when he pulled at them, those threads of evidence, and when he chased it down, what he found, as often as not, was genuine reason to suspect that the penetration, the widespread penetration, was real and serious.” – Tim Tate

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

To Catch a Spy: How the Spycatcher Affair brought MI5 in from the Cold, Tim Tate (Icon Books, 2024)

SpyCasts

The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
The Information Battlespace – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2022)
Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021)
Traitors Among Us: Inside the Spy Catcher's World, S. A. Herrington (Harvest Books, 2000)
The Spycatcher Affair, C. Pincher (St. Martin’s Press, 1988)
Spycatcher, P. Wright (Heinemann, 1987)

Primary Sources

Peter Wright Case (Part 1) (1987)
Peter Wright Case (Part 2) (1987)
Retired Spy Claims Cover Up in British Service (1984)
The Hollis Affair (1981)
The “Zinoviev” Letter Investigation (1924)
The Zimmermann Telegram (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Areopagitica (1644) by John Milton
Illegally published in the UK in protest to the Licensing Order of 1643, this polemic has since become one of the most influential documents defending the right to free speech and free publication.

The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate with Rachel Noble

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Rachel Noble joins Andrew to discuss her role as Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate. Rachel is the first woman to hold this position.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Australian Signals Directorate: Its purpose and mission
The true story of the Pine Gap spy facility
Leadership in Intelligence
The SIGINT origins of the Five Eyes alliance

Reflections

The value of team
The importance of work-life balance

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Women lead differently. We talk differently, we engage in different ways. And I've had to learn to own that about myself and not be tempted to try to be like the guys, compete with them on their own terms, or to adopt male behaviors in order to be heard … [Doing that] doesn't really help other women who might come after me.” – Rachel Noble.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

Codebreaking and Codemaking Down Under with John Blaxland and Clare Birgin (2024)
Australian National Day Special: Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland (2024)
SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America (2022)
Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

What is SIGINT? YouTube (2020) [2 min. video]
Who we are, Australian Signals Directorate (2020) [Short article]
Our Agencies, National Intelligence Community of Australia (n.d.) [Overview of each agency in the Australian IC]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

*Wildcard Resource*

Rachel mentioned in this podcast episode that one of her favorite treats when coming to the States are Snickerdoodles – A delectable sugar cookie showered in cinnamon-sugar topping.
In the cookie world, snickerdoodles are a more recent invention with their first written mention being in an 1889 cookbook. Learn more about the history of cookies here!

Lethal Action - Understanding Poison with Neil Bradbury

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Neil Bradbury (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the deadly history of poison and espionage. Neil is an author and biochemist.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How different poisons affect the human body
The usage of poisons as a covert assassination method
The deaths of defectors Alexander Litvinenko and Georgi Markov
The Soviet Union’s Lab X and the production and research of poisons on the state level

Reflections

The double edge of creativity
The necessity for research and experimentation

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“In order to counteract lots of the poisons, you have to know how they work, and you have to be able to develop your own. So, yes, undoubtedly, Western governments are just as actively involved in creating these chemicals and also the antidotes to them.” – Dr. Neil Bradbury.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them, Neil Bradbury (St. Martin’s Press, 2022)

SpyCasts

The Murder of an IRA Spy with Henry Hemming (2024)
I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher with David Oranchak (2024)
The North Korean Defector with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo (2023)
Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Poison: The History of Potions, Powders and Murderous Practitioners, B. Hubbard (Welbeck Publishing, 2020)
Poison: A History: An Account of the Deadly Art and its Most Infamous Practitioners, J. Davis (Chartwell Books, 2018)
The KGB's Poison Factory: From Lenin to Litvinenko, B. Volodarsky (Zenith Press, 2010)

Primary Sources

Press Release on the Poisoning of Alexei Navalny (2020)
Update on the Use of Nerve Agent in Salisbury, UK (2018)
The Litvinenko Inquiry (2016)
Situation Report on Piesteritz (1953)
Analysis of Madame Lefarge’s Arsenic Trial (1840)

Wildcard Resource

This week’s companion song can only be Waterloo Sunset (1967) by The Kinks.
Heralded as one of the most beautiful songs of the swingin’ sixties, “Waterloo Sunset” is appropriately incorporated into the title of Neil’s chapter on the assassination of Georgi Markov, which took place on London’s Waterloo Bridge.

The JFK Assassination – a Debate with Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid (Part 2)

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid join Andrew in a debate over the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mark and Jeff are longtime friends and colleagues with very different viewpoints of what truly happened on November 22nd, 1963.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The lasting questions surrounding the Kennedy assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald’s intelligence connections
The Warren Commission and the JFK Assassination Records
The strangest theories Mark and Jeff have heard, and the most plausible explanations of who killed President Kennedy

Reflections

Public distrust and the search for truth
Reactions and responses to tragedy

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

”That's why I think they probably have something to hide. Because it doesn't make sense otherwise … If they had access to that kind of straightforward story, we would get that.” – Jefferson Morley.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid (2024)
Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)
Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023)
The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)

Beginner Resources

Lee Harvey Oswald, Britannica (2024) [Short biography]
JFK Files: What we're learning from newly released Kennedy assassination records, CBS News, YouTube (2022) [6 min. video]
Kennedy Assassination Timeline, The Sixth Floor Museum (n.d.) [Timeline of events]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government, D. Talbot (Harper Perennial, 2016)
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, J. W. Douglass (Touchstone, 2010)
Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA, J. Morley (University Press of Kansas, 2008)

Primary Sources

President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act (1992)
Select Committee on Assassinations Report (1978)
Warren Commission Report (1964)
LBJ Address to Congress (1963)
Interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963)
JFK Autopsy Report (1963)
The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection

Wildcard Resource

Test how you would do in Kennedy’s shoes by playing 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 – A two-player board game that tests your quick-thinking strategy and conflict resolution skills.

The JFK Assassination – a Debate with Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid (Part 1)

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The lasting questions surrounding the Kennedy assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald’s intelligence connections
The Warren Commission and the JFK Assassination Records
The strangest theories Mark and Jeff have heard, and the most plausible explanations of who killed President Kennedy

Reflections

Public distrust and the search for truth
Reactions and responses to tragedy

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid (2024)
Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)
Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023)
The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)

Beginner Resources

Lee Harvey Oswald, Britannica (2024) [Short biography]
JFK Files: What we're learning from newly released Kennedy assassination records, CBS News, YouTube (2022) [6 min. video]
Kennedy Assassination Timeline, The Sixth Floor Museum (n.d.) [Timeline of events]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government, D. Talbot (Harper Perennial, 2016)
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, J. W. Douglass (Touchstone, 2010)
Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA, J. Morley (University Press of Kansas, 2008)

Primary Sources

President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act (1992)
Select Committee on Assassinations Report (1978)
Warren Commission Report (1964)
LBJ Address to Congress (1963)
Interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963)
JFK Autopsy Report (1963)
The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection

Wildcard Resource

Test how you would do in Kennedy’s shoes by playing 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 – A two-player board game that tests your quick-thinking strategy and conflict resolution skills.

The Murder of an IRA Spy with Henry Hemming

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Henry Hemming (X, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the case of Frank Hegarty, a British spy operating within the IRA. Henry is a bestselling espionage author.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Espionage and the role of MI5 within the Troubles
The story of Frank Hegarty, a British spy working in Derry
Freddie Scappaticci, or Stakeknife, and Operation Kenova
The moral implications of spying

Reflections

Sacrifice, risk, and trust
The nuances of conflict

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“This is where it becomes, morally, much more complex. What’s difficult … is that most of the handlers who were faced with these decisions didn't have adequate training. They didn't know what the law said. They didn't know exactly what the limits were to what they could and could not do … And suddenly, as we're beginning to find out, mistakes were made.” – Henry Hemming.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)

Beginner Resources

Why is Ireland Divided? History Matters, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]
What You Need to Know About The Troubles, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
A Brief History of Ireland, T. Lambert, Local Histories (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Stakeknife's Dirty War: The Inside Story of Scappaticci, the IRA’s Nutting Squad, and the British Spooks who Ran the War, R. O’Rawe (Merrion Press, 2023)
The Intelligence War against the IRA, T. Leahy (Cambridge University Press, 2020)
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, P. Radden Keefe (Anchor, 2020)

Primary Sources

Operation Kenova Interim Report (2024)
Report of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry (2010)
The Good Friday Agreement (1998)
The Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985)
IRA Green Book (1977)
Guerrilla Warfare Handbook for IRA Volunteers (1956)

Wildcard Resource

Much of the events mentioned in this week’s episode take place in Derry, or Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Check out one of Erin’s favorite TV shows, Derry Girls – It tells the story of a young group of friends growing up in Derry during the Troubles. The town loved the show so much, they erected a mural to immortalize the five fictional friends that represented so many of their own upbringings in Derry.

Reporting Intelligence - with Warren Strobel and Brett Forrest of the Wall Street Journal

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Brett Forrest and Warren Strobel join Andrew to discuss reporting intelligence. Brett and Warren are national security reporters for The Wall Street Journal.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The intelligence learning curve
Stories from the front lines of modern conflicts and critical moments
The unique challenges that come with reporting on intelligence, and ...
The risks, including being a target of espionage

Reflections

Privacy and protection
The power, and danger, of sharing information

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined in the studio by Brett Forrest and Warren Strobel, intelligence correspondents at the Wall Street Journal. As SpyCast listeners will know, issues of intelligence and espionage are constantly going on all around us – But how does the public stay in the know and up to date on the latest cases and news from around the world? Well, that's where these two come in.

Quotes of the Week

“It's about knocking on every possible door that you can imagine, that you can come up with, that you can dig up. And, all you're hoping for is one of those doors to open. You know, you knock on a hundred doors, you get 99 doors to open. You just want that one door to open because that's where the information is. That's where the source is. So, I don't know if I would call that luck, I would call that persistence.” - Brett Forrest

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Zelensky, Ukraine, and Intelligence with Simon Shuster (2024)
China’s Corporate Spy War with CNBC’s Eamon Javers (2023)
My Life Looking at Spies & the Media with Paul Lashmar (2021)
The Women of NatSec Journalism – 6 Leading Journalists (2017)

Beginner Resources

A Brief History of Journalism in America, M. A. McIntosh, Brewminate (2022) [Short article]
A History of The Wall Street Journal, G. Hughes, Historic Newspapers (2021) [Short article]
What Is Journalism and Why Does it Matter? CTRL-F, YouTube (2018) [3 min. Video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Spies, Spin and the Fourth Estate, P. Lashmar (EUP, 2021)
Spies and the Media in Britain, R. Norton-Taylor (IBT, 2018)
Spinning Intelligence, R. Dover and M. Goodman (CUP, 2009)

Articles

How Cuba Recruits Spies to Penetrate Inner Circles of the U.S. Government, B. Forrest & W. Strobel, The Wall Street Journal (2024)
Reporters who covered U.S. invasion of Iraq reflect on impact of war, N. Schifrin & Z. Warsi, PBS News (2023)
Russian Spy or Ukrainian Hero? The Strange Death of Denys Kiryeyev, B. Forrest, The Wall Street Journal (2023)
In Ukraine, New Reports of War Crimes Emerge as Russians Retreat From Kyiv Area, B. Forrest, The Wall Street Journal (2022)
Questioning the Case for War, C. A. Preble, CATO Institute (2018)
CIA Intercepts Underpin Assessment Saudi Crown Prince Targeted Khashoggi, W. Strobel, The Wall Street Journal (2018)

Video

Lost Son with Brett Forrest, International Spy Museum, YouTube (2023)
Ukrainians in Bucha reflect on horrors and brutality suffered at hands of Russian forces, PBS News (2023)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Shock and Awe (2017)
Starring James Marsden as Warren Strobel!

Leading United States Central Command - with General Frank McKenzie

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

General Frank McKenzie (Biography, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book, The Melting Point. General McKenzie was the 14th commander of the United States Central Command.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Combatant commands and their purpose
Leading CENTCOM, Central Command
The role of intelligence in military leadership
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Reflections

Learning from the lessons of history
The importance and impact of leadership

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“What that leads you to is really, intelligence. It paints that picture and it describes the operational environment within which you can operate. So here's the risk. If you're an aggressive commander … There's a temptation to lean on intelligence to tell you what you want to hear, shape the information … In the back of your mind, you need to recognize, you can't go into it with what I would call confirmation bias.” – General Frank McKenzie.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, Kenneth F. McKenzie (Naval Institute Press, 2024)

SpyCasts

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)

Beginner Resources

CENTCOM, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2024) [Encyclopedia entry]
Why the Middle East is so important to the US, BBC World Service, YouTube (2024) [10 min. video]
Combatant Commands, U.S. Department of Defense (n.d.) [Brief overviews of the 11 Unified Combatant Commands]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant (1863)
In this famous letter, Lincoln congratulates Major General Grant on his leadership during the Siege of Vicksburg, a critical success for the Union army. Perhaps not often done by a president, Lincoln here admits his strategy was wrong, and praises the intellect and military prowess of Grant.

The Future of NATO with Leon Panetta and Expert Panel

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

An expert panel of world leaders gathered at the International Spy Museum to discuss the importance of NATO today and in the future. Panelists included former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, among others.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Threats facing Baltic countries, including Russia
The importance of NATO support for Ukraine
Maintaining stability during political turmoil
NATO’s growth and where it still needs to evolve in the 21st century

Reflections

The power of global partnerships
The impact of honest leadership

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“In the old days, NATO was kind of a place where everybody did their talking points and then left. But for the first time in a very long time, NATO is more than just a forum. It is a security alliance that is very important to protecting world peace.” – Leon Panetta.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence with Simon Shuster (2024)
CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security with David Cattler (2022)

Beginner Resources

Why are the Baltic states strategically important for NATO? A. Sytas, Reuters (2023) [Short article]
Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion, BBC (2022) [Short article]
The Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact | History, YouTube (2017) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Our international panelists in this week’s episode hail from the beautiful countries of Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia. To learn more about the history and culture of these countries, take virtual tours of their national museums or libraries here:
Hrvatski povijesni muzej, Croatian History Museum
Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, National Library of Latvia
Eesti Rahva Muuseum, Estonian National Museum

Cybersecurity in The White House – with Camille Stewart Gloster

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Camille Stewart Gloster (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss her career in cyber. Camille was the first Deputy National Cyber Director for Technology & Ecosystem for the White House.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The intersections between technology and law
The origins of the cyber threat
The importance of cyber education
Building a diverse cyber workforce

Reflections

Challenging narratives and norms
Strategic education

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Another part of the problem is having a conversation where people understand that they do a lot of this work every day. Honing those skills and being intentional about them and then applying them to a career means a transition from a hobby to something more concrete. And that narrative piece of making cybersecurity not seem so overwhelming is a big part of the work as well.” – Camille Stewart Gloster.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Indian Intelligence & Cyber – A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai (2023)
Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)
The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 1 of 2) (2022)
The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 2 of 2) (2022)
Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2022)

Beginner Resources

What is Cybersecurity? CISA (2021) [Short article]
What is Cyber? Marketing Business Network, YouTube (2019) [2 min. video]
Why Is Cybersecurity Important? CompTIA (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Test your cybersecurity awareness with this #BeCyberSmart crossword from the Center for Development of Security Excellence.

The National Intelligence Council – with Michael Collins

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Michael Collins joins Andrew to discuss the National Intelligence Council. Michael is the NIC’s current acting chair.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The role of the National Intelligence Council
National Intelligence Officers and their work around the world
The products of the NIC, including the Annual Threat Assessment
The importance of Intelligence Diplomacy and objective analysis

Reflections

The power of collaboration
Staying grounded and optimistic

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“In the analytic product, the first paragraph says: Here's the bad thing. Second paragraph says: This is what the bad thing means for the United States. Third paragraph is: What can be done to stop the bad thing, or more importantly, to identify an opportunity. I have to be optimistic. If I weren't, I wouldn't be in this job.” – Michael Collins.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) with Sara Castro (2024)
CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)
The National Intelligence University with its President Scott Cameron (2022)

Beginner Resources

America’s Intelligence Community, Explained, Washington Post, YouTube (2014) [2 min. video]
What is Intelligence Analysis and Why is It So Important? National American University (n.d.) [Short article]
Members of the IC, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (n.d.) [List of agencies]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

2024 Annual Threat Assessment (2024)
IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024)
2023 National Intelligence Strategy (2023)
Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents (2023)
Global Trends 2040 (2021)
National Intelligence Estimates on Climate Change (2021)

Wildcard Resource

This week’s guest shares a name with another intelligence professional: Michael Collins (1890-1922), a prominent leader of Irish independence.
You may remember this Michael Collins from his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, but did you know he was also the Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army? Check out some of “The Squad’s” spy gadgets and artifacts here.

"The Real James Bond Cars" – with Top Gear's Jason Barlow

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jason Barlow (X; Biography) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the iconic James Bond vehicles. Jason is the longstanding editor-at-large at Top Gear.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How the “Bond car” phenomenon came to be
Ian Fleming’s love for cars
The different “nationalities” of Bond cars
What it’s like to be behind the wheel of some of these iconic cars

Reflections

The making of pop culture
The “personality” of cars

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Something strange happens in popular culture, where worlds kind of collide and cars assume these sorts of statuses far in excess of what they're actually doing in the movies. I find it fascinating as a process. Nobody can predict how these things are going to go and it's wonderful when these things do happen.” – Jason Barlow.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Bond Cars: The Definitive History, Jason Barlow (BBC Books, 2021)

SpyCasts

The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024)
The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)
Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon with Mark Edlitz (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 1 of 2) (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 2 of 2) (2023)

Beginner Resources

A Complete List of James Bond Cars, J. Osborn, Man of Many (2023) [List of cars]
Aston Martin DB5 and 007 - A Special Bond, Aston Martin, YouTube (2021) [1 min. video]
Why are cars interesting anyway? R. Meester, Medium (2021) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Cars Mentioned

Wildcard Resource

“Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz …”
We’ve now firmly established that film can immortalize cars for decades to come. Well, it’s the same in music – Think “Little Red Corvette” by Prince, or “Ol’ 55” by Tom Waits. Perhaps one of the most iconic cars in music is Janis Joplin’s 1964 psychedelic Porsche, now remembered fondly through her 1971 song “Mercedes Benz.”

“The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts” – with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Laura Hicken (LinkedIn) and Lauren vonBechmann (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the collection of the International Spy Museum. SPY’s collection consists of 10,000 espionage-related artifacts.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The ins and outs of getting into the museum field
Why Museums?
SPYs largest, smallest, and coolest artifacts
The challenges of being a “spy” museum

Reflections

Following your passions
A dedication to lifelong learning and teaching

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“It's that ability to give accessibility to our audiences so that they can see like parts of history – So it's not only to preserve it, but it's so that people can see it as well. That's what we want to provide – A place for people to see the unseen.” – Lauren vonBechmann.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)
The Most Famous Art Detective in the World with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman (2023)
Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)

Beginner Resources

A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
Collections Management, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Artifacts

James Bond's Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch (2021)
Primo’s Bionic Eye (2021)
Clock with Concealed Receiver (1970s)
Disguise Kit (1960s)
Berlin Tunnel Segment (1954-1956)
Four Rotor Enigma Machine (1943-1944)
Sleeping Beauty Submersible (1943)
George Washington Spy Letters (1777)

Wildcard Resource

Here’s something many don’t know about the International Spy Museum:
On the side of our building, built in 2019, is a secret message written in binary code. Can You Crack the Code?

SpyCast Trailer

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:07:00 -0000

“U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)” – with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dennis Eger (LinkedIn) and Shawn Nilius (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss open-source intelligence. Combined, the two have over six decades of service to the U.S. Army.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What is Open-Source Intelligence
How the US Army utilizes and collects OSINT
OSINT across the Intelligence Community
How OSINT has impacted the War in Ukraine

Reflections

The power of information and how you use it
Cyber ethics

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“If [civilians are] taking a video and posting it, they become in the cycle … The amount of things that people do on the internet that leaves their data or their information out there – Their data becomes big part of the intelligence cycle and they probably don't even know that they're doing it.” – Dennis Eger.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

My Life in American Intelligence with Barry Zulauf (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)

Beginner Resources

A Brief History of the US Army, R. Guina, The Military Wallet (2024) [Short article]
What is Open-Source Intelligence? OSINT Dojo, YouTube (2023) [7 min. video]
A Brief History of Open Source Intelligence, C. Colquhoun, Bellingcat (2016) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)
Open Source Intelligence Methods and Tools: A Practical Guide to Online Intelligence, N. A. Hassan & R. Hijazi (Apress, 2018)

Primary Sources

The IC OSINT Strategy (2024)
Invasion of Ukraine on Google Maps (2022)
Ethical Frameworks in Open-Source Intelligence (2022)
Open-Source Intelligence, Department of the Army (2012)
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (2004)

Wildcard Resource

While OSINT may seem like the new kid on the intelligence block, its foundations have actually been around perhaps longer than any other -INT.
During the Civil War, the Bureau of Military Information collected open-source information from Southern newspapers to track the Confederate army. Check out this letter from Abraham Lincoln citing intelligence gathered on the location of Southern troops.

“Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma” – with Andrew Hodges

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Andrew Hodges (Website, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the life and work of Alan Turing. Andrew is an emeritus senior research fellow of mathematics at the University of Oxford.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Turing’s early foundations for artificial intelligence
Interwar cryptanalysis
Bletchley Park, Hut 8, and British Naval Intelligence
The mechanics of the Bombe machine

Reflections

Legacy changing alongside social history
The weight and pressure of genius

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Everything that you do with the digital, everything that we're doing now through these computers, flows from his perceptions. And that in turn came through his practical experience during the Second World War on breaking the enemy codes.” – Andrew Hodges .

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024)
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” – with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023)
Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

Beginner Resources

Alan Turing, B.J. Copeland, Britannica (2024) [Short biography]
How Did the Enigma Machine Work? Science Museum Group, YouTube (2019) [2 min. video]
How Alan Turing Cracked the Enigma Code, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park, J. D. Turing (Arcturus, 2020)
Turing’s Vision: The Birth of Computer Science, C. Bernhardt (MIT Press, 2017)
Alan Turing: The Enigma, A. Hodges (Burnett Books/Hutchinson, 1983)

Primary Sources

Alan Turing Obituary and Tributes (1954)
Can digital computers think? (1951)
Computing Machinery and Intelligence (1950)
Proposed electronic calculator (1946)
Turing’s Treatise on the Enigma (1939-1942)
On Computable Numbers (1936)

Wildcard Resource

Alan Turing’s School Report Card
Didn’t do very well in high school? Neither did Alan Turing. Amongst hopeful comments about his promising skills in mathematics, teachers noted Turing’s carelessness and severe lack of neatness in his work.

“Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

Tue, 28 May 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Simon Shuster (X, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine. Simon is a senior correspondent at TIME.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Zelenskyy’s career pre-Presidency
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion
Ukrainian public opinion of Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy’s relationship with Ukrainian intelligence

Reflections

Contagious courage
Leadership styles, techniques, and unique skills

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“In researching [Zelenskyy’s] transformations as a person from comedian to politician to wartime leader, I also thought a lot about what qualities have remained consistent in him. And one of them for sure is this kind of, “go get ‘em” confidence … He just has this abiding confidence in his own ability to think on his feet, to not lose his balance, to just go into a new and unfamiliar space or a set of challenges and wing it, so to say.” – Simon Schuster

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

The Showman : Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky, Simon Shuster (William Morrow, 2024)

SpyCasts

David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)

Beginner Resources

What to know about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, I. Pereira & P. Reevell, ABC News (2022) [Short article]
A Brief History of Modern Ukraine, BBC, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]
Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion, BBC (2022) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, Y. Trofimov (Penguin Press, 2024)
Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023)
The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine, S. Plokhy (Basic Books, 2021)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

As Simon mentioned in this episode, President Zelenskyy won the Ukrainian version of one of Erin’s favorite shows, Dancing With The Stars, in 2006.
Watch some of his winning dances with partner Olena Shoptenko here.

“The Real Ian Fleming” with Nicholas Shakespeare

Tue, 21 May 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Nicholas Shakespeare (X; Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the life and legacy of Ian Fleming. Nicholas is an award-winning novelist and biographer.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Fleming’s family and upbringing
Debunking misconceptions about Fleming’s character
Fleming’s career in intelligence
British Naval Intelligence operations during WWII

Reflections

Life influencing literature
The lasting impact of storytelling

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Whatever the ingredients of Bond – As a kind of, both a hero of modernization, but also as a symbol of retrospective power – The films have allowed this protean creature to exist in the future, in the present, and so that almost all over the world, the words, the names “Bond, James Bond” will ignite a smile.” – Nicholas Shakespeare.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, Nicholas Shakespeare (Harper, 2024)

SpyCasts

Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon with Mark Edlitz (2024)
The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 1 of 2 (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 2 of 2 (2023)

Beginner Resources

Ian Fleming – Life Story, Short Biographies, YouTube (2023) [8 min. video]
List of Books by Ian Fleming, Barnes and Noble (n.d.) [List of literary works]
Ian Fleming Life Timeline, Ian Fleming Publications (n.d.) [Timeline]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Ian Fleming’s War: The Inspiration for 007, M. Simmons (Rare Bird Books, 2021)
The Man with the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters, ed. F. Fleming (Bloomsbury, 2016)
The Life of Ian Fleming, J. Pearson (Jonathan Cape, 1966)

Primary Sources

Diana Rigg Obituary (2020)
Ian Fleming about James Bond and himself (1964)
Our Spy-Boss Who Loved Bond by Allen Dulles (1964)
Allen Dulles and Ian Fleming (1964)
Operation “Mincemeat” Brief (1943)
Postagram Concerning Operation Mincemeat (1943)
Valentine Fleming Eulogy by Winston Churchill (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Spymaker: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming (1990)
A TV movie that stars Jason Connery as Ian Fleming. Jason Connery is the son of Sean Connery – the first actor to portray James Bond in film.

“Codebreaking and Codemaking Down Under” – with John Blaxland and Clare Birgin

Tue, 14 May 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

John Blaxland (X, LinkedIn) and Clare Birgin (Wikipedia, LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss Australian codebreaking. John and Clare are coauthors of the new book Revealing Secrets.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The importance of SIGINT
Codebreaking in Australian intelligence
Australia’s role in WWII and the Cold War
The advent and evolution of cyber

Reflections

Strategic defense and offense
The power, and danger, of communication

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

"What I've noticed with the Australians, and I think it's similar in the other the other Five Eyes countries, these people tend to be quite patriotic to do [Signals Intelligence]. They want to, they love their country, and it also seems to preserve very good qualities.” -Clare Birgin.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intelligence and the advent of cyber, Clare Birgin and John Blaxland (University of New South Wales Press, 2023)

SpyCasts

I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher with David Oranchak (2024)
Australian National Day Special: Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland (2024)
My Father the Navajo Code-Talker with Laura Tohe (2023)
CYBER AUGUST: “So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker?” with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021)

Beginner Resources

Australia's Involvement in WWII, Australian Broadcasting Service, YouTube (2020) [4 min. video]
A short history of cyber espionage, D. O’Brien, Medium (2017) [Short article]
Signals Intelligence (SINGINT) Overview, National Security Agency (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

WMD Report (2005)
The ANZUS Treaty (1951)
Role and effectiveness of Signals Intelligence in World War II (1945)
The Atlantic Charter (1941)
The Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
Oral History by Ruby Boye Jones (n.d.)

Wildcard Resource

Here’s a challenge – For their 75th Anniversary in 2022, the Australian Signals Directorate released a limited edition coin with multiple layers of code to crack on both sides.
Think you can solve it? Check out the link above and test your code-cracking skills.

“James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son” – with His Mother Diane Foley

Tue, 07 May 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Diane Foley (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the legacy of her son, James Foley. James was held hostage and murdered by ISIS in 2014.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The enduring legacy of James’ murder
James’ time in captivity in Libya
A mother’s experience communicating with her son’s captors
How hostage recovery efforts have evolved since 2014

Reflections

Grief turned into action
Forgiveness, empathy, and resilience

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“[Jim] could have been teaching or doing so many things, writing … but he just felt those stories were essential. And it really made me realize and recognize the courage of our current journalists going into Ukraine or Gaza. We wouldn't have any idea what's happening in that part of the world without those folks who dare to be there and dare to find ways to tell that story and bring it back to us.” – Diane Foley.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

American Mother, Colum McCann and Diane Foley (Etruscan Press, 2024)

SpyCasts

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
My Life Looking at Spies & the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)
ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch. with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 1 of 2) (2022)
ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch. with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 2 of 2) (2022)

Beginner Resources

Syria: Seven Years of War Explained, BBC News, YouTube (2018) [5 min. video]
FACT SHEET: U.S. Government Hostage Policy, Office of the Press Secretary (2015) [Short brief]
Jim’s Story, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation (n.d.) [Background on James Foley]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Isis Hostage, P. Damsgard (Pegasus Books, 2017)
Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS, J. Warrick (Anchor, 2016)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn (1973)
This song was a #1 hit when it was originally released in 1973. Six years later, the song resurged and gained even more popularity during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. The song became an unofficial hostage recovery anthem, as the lyrics poignantly hint to welcoming a loved one home from captivity.

“Interstellar Intelligence” – with Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Avi Loeb (Harvard Biography, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in outer space. He is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Galileo Project & its goals
The Intelligence Community and Outer Space
Government positions on the existence of extraterrestrial life
Connections between intelligence and astrophysics

Reflections

The enormity of our universe
Evidence over opinion or speculation

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“And my hope is that realizing that we have a smart neighbor that we can learn from would convince us to change our priorities from fighting over territories on this small piece of rock, trying to kill each other, to something more noble, just looking up and having bigger aspirations because there is so much more real estate out there than you find here on Earth.” – Avi Loeb.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars, Avi Loeb (Mariner Books, 2023)

SpyCasts

I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher with David Oranchak (2024)
The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall with Director Steve James (2023)
Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)
The Information Battlespace – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2023)

Beginner Resources

What is Astrophysics? A. Belter, Space (2022) [Short article]
What You Need to Know About Astrobiology - The Search for Life in the Universe! NASA, YouTube (2020) [2 min. video]
Glossary of astronomical terms, International Comet Quarterly (n.d.) [Glossary]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

In Plain Sight: An Investigation into UFOs and Impossible Science, R. Coulthart (HarperCollins, 2023)
Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, A. Loeb (Mariner Books, 2022)
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, N. deGrasse Tyson (W. W. Norton & Company, 2017)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

This week, our recommended music accompaniment to this episode is, of course, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie.
This 1972 album, a classic example of the Glam Rock and early Punk era, includes the single “Starman,” which Andrew mentions in this episode.

“Navigating a Career in Counterterrorism as a Muslim – with Angie Gad”

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Angie Gad (LinkedIn, Website) joined Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss her career in intelligence analysis. Angie is a first-generation Egyptian-American.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The role of state fusion centers to national intelligence
How counterterrorism analysis evolved after 9/11
The connections between ISIS and Far Right Extremists
The mental health implications of counterterrorism

Reflections

The importance of diversity of thought and experience
Personal identity in professional life

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I think that's what drives me as an analyst. I love to understand why extremists do what they do, what leads them, what are the motivators and the driving force behind their actions and their thoughts and their radicalization.” – Angie Gad.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) with Sara Castro (2024)
The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence with Dina Rezk (2023)
Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd with Jorhena Thomas (2023)
The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist with Dexter Ingram (2022)

Beginner Resources

What Is Counterterrorism? National Museum of American Diplomacy, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
What is Intelligence Analysis and Why is It So Important? National American University (2020) [Short article]
Role of Fusion Centers, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (n.d.) [Short brief]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Compassionate Counterterrorism: The Power of Inclusion In Fighting Fundamentalism, L. Al Olaimy (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2019)
Black Flags: Rise of ISIS, J. Warrick (Doubleday, 2015)
Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis & National Security, T. Fingar (SUP, 2011)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

The Rosetta Stone was originally found in the Nile Delta of Egypt in 1799. The priceless piece of human linguistic history has been on display at the British Museum since 1802.
The question of the potential repatriation of the Rosetta Stone back to Egypt is one of the most highly discussed topics in the museum field today. Read more about the Egyptian campaign to reclaim their ancient artifacts here.

“The Foundations of American Intelligence in WWI” – with Mark Stout

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mark Stout (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book, World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence. Mark Stout is a former intelligence analyst and former SPY Historian.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The first American intelligence “agencies”
Codebreaking during WWI
The American Protective League and spy paranoia
WWI’s effect on American culture and politics

Reflections

Challenging common historical thought
Studying the “forgotten” wars

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“[After World War I] there will never be a time again when the United States won't have squadrons in the Army Air Corps, later the U. S. Air Force, and similarly the Navy. We would never again be without aerial reconnaissance squadrons. There would never again be a time when the United States didn't have at least one code-breaking organization.” – Mark Stout.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence, Mark Stout (University Press of Kansas, 2023)

SpyCasts

Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)
Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy with Alexander Rose (2023)
The Birth of American Propaganda – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton (2021)

Beginner Resources

World War I, Explained in 5 Minutes! YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
The Journey of the Intelligence Community, M. Thomas, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (2023) [Timeline of the US IC]
The United States in the First World War, National Park Service (2021) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Manipulating the Masses: Woodrow Wilson and the Birth of American Propaganda, J. M. Hamilton (LSU Press, 2020)
Codes, Ciphers and Spies: Tales of Military Intelligence in World War I, J. F. Dooley (Copernicus, 2016)
The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America's Entry into World War I, T. Boghardt (Naval Institute Press, 2012)

Primary Sources

Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Speech (1918)
Telegram Announcing Armistice (1918)
Sedition Act (1918)
The Zimmermann Telegram (1917)
Espionage Act (1917)
Woodrow Wilson Third Annual Message, Warns of Espionage (1915)

Wildcard Resource

12 Step Method to Reveal Secret Writing (ca. 1913-1924)
Germany was particularly fond of invisible ink as a tactic of spycraft during World War I. If you came across a document suspected of secret writing, you might use these 12 steps to reveal the hidden message …

“The Director-General of NZ Security Intelligence Service” – with Andrew Hampton

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Andrew Hampton joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in New Zealand. Andrew is the Director General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The New Zealand Intelligence Community
How geography effects national security
The lasting impact of the Christchurch Mosque attacks
New Zealand’s relationship with China

Reflections

The power of community organization
The nuanced nature of global politics

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I think for a long time there was a view that our geographical isolation protected us from a range of national security threats. But unfortunately, in the current world, geostrategic competition is playing out in our region. Going back to my old role, you’re only one click away from a cyber-attack … This and misinformation and violent extremism are permeating the whole world. ” – Andrew Hampton.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
Australian National Day Special: Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland (2024)
SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America (2022)
Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)

Beginner Resources

What Is The Five Eyes Alliance? K. Haan, Forbes [Short Article]
A Brief History of New Zealand, Live and Work New Zealand (2022) [Short article]
Why Isn't New Zealand a Part of Australia? History Matters, YouTube (2020) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific, Nicholas Thomas (Basic Books, 2021)
Pacific Century: The Emergence of Modern Pacific Asia, Mark Borthwick (Routledge, 2013)
The Penguin History of New Zealand, Michael King (Penguin Books, 2003)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

The Women’s Suffrage Petition - Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine
In 1893, this document gave all women in New Zealand the right to vote in general elections – Making New Zealand the first country in the world to enact universal women’s suffrage!

“I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher” – with David Oranchak

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

David Oranchak (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss his work helping to solve the 340 Zodiac cipher. Dave is a software developer and avid puzzle solver.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The difference between codes and ciphers
The cryptological methods used by the Zodiac killer
The history of cryptography and its importance to intelligence
How Dave and his team cracked the 340 Cipher

Reflections

Persistence and dedication
Average citizens as avid participants

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“It felt like we had gotten a brand new letter from the Zodiac Killer. You know, the case had been dormant for so long … We started to see the message coming through, it was like he was back to life so to speak, he was talking to us again after so many years of not saying anything. So that was kind of eerie to kind of hear the voice of a serial killer.” – David Oranchak.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

My Father the Navajo Code-Talker with Laura Tohe (2023)
Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)
El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz (2022)
CYBER AUGUST: “So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker?” with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021)

Beginner Resources

A brief history of cryptography: Sending secret messages throughout time, J. Schneider, IBM (2024) [Short article]
What is the Difference Between a Code and a Cipher? Mysterious Writings (2018) [Short Article]
Infamous Killers: The Zodiac Killer, A&E, YouTube (2017) [5 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation's Most Elusive Serial Killer, R. Graysmith (Berkley, 2007)
The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography, S. Singh (Anchor, 2000)
The Codebreakers: The Comprehensive History of Secret Communication from Ancient Times to the Internet, D. Kahn (Scribner, 1996)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

If you’re an amateur codebreaker and you feel inspired by this episode, try your hand at cryptanalysis with this FBI-created dot code. Erin tried, but could not begin to crack it – She’ll stick to podcasting.

“Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon” – with Mark Edlitz

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mark Edlitz (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss how James Bond lived on in literature after the death of Ian Fleming. Mark is an author and pop culture expert.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The original Fleming novels
Intellectual property and author’s rights to iconic characters
The evolution of Bond as a literary character
The relationship between the Bond books and the Bond movies

Reflections

Can icons ever truly die?
Just how malleable are our favorite characters?

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

James Bond After Fleming: The Continuation Novels, Mark Edlitz (2023)

SpyCasts

The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 1 of 2 (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 2 of 2 (2023)
My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)

Beginner Resources

James Bond Books: The Continuation Novels, D. Leigh, The James Bond Dossier (2024) [Short biographies of each continuation author]
Ian Fleming – Life Story, Short Biographies, YouTube (2023) [8 min. video]
Can I do a sequel to someone else's book or movie? Miller IP Law (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Bond, James Bond: Exploring the Shaken and Stirred History of Ian Fleming’s 007, B. Gilmore & M. Kalinowski (Mango, 2022)
The Many Lives of James Bond: How the Creators of 007 Have Decoded the Superspy, M. Edlitz (Lyons Press, 2019)
James Bond: The Evolution of the World's Most Famous Spy, A. Geiger (CompanionHouse Books, 2016)

Primary Sources

An Interview with Raymond Benson (2023)
License Renewed: Interview with John Gardner (1994)
Gardner Assumes Ian Fleming's Pen To Keep James Bond Alive (1988)
An Interview with Kingsley Amis (1975)
Allen Dulles and Ian Fleming (1964)
Books of the Times (1963)

Wildcard Resource

James Bond is a fantastically well-known character, but he is not technically in the public domain. Characters that do exist in the public domain include Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Sherlock Holmes, and Robin Hood.
Studying the origins of these characters is fascinating. Take Robin Hood, for example – The first written mention of the heroic outlaw comes from the poem “The Vision of Piers Plowman” by William Langland, written in 1380. That’s 593 years before Disney’s classic adaptation of the story!

“The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law” – with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mark Zaid (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss American intelligence and the law. You’ve heard of a “lawyer to the stars,” Mark is the “lawyer to the spies”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The quirks of being a lawyer in this space
How the Espionage Act works in practice
The trial of the Rosenbergs
The origins of FOIA and its purpose
The Legal foundations underpinning espionage and intelligence

Reflections

Challenging authority
The delicate balance of secrecy

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I still love working every day, 30 years later, because there's still something new. As much as I fight for declassification and transparency, I will at times also see information and learn of events where I go, “Oh, I get it. Yeah, that stuff cannot be known. That's incredible what we did. That's pretty wild.” – Mark Zaid.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends (2023)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

Beginner Resources

What Is a Whistleblower? Protections, Law, Importance, and Example, W. Kenton, Investopedia (2022) [Short article]
What is a Lawyer? American Bar Association (2019) [Short article]
Legal System Basics, CrashCourse, YouTube (2015) [8 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

State of Silence: The Espionage Act and the Rise of America's Secrecy Regime, S. Lebovic (Basic Books, 2023)
Ethel Rosenberg, A. Sebba (Griffin, 2022)
Spies on Trial: True Tales of Espionage in the Courtroom, C. C. Kuhne (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2019)

Primary Sources

A Letter from Aldrich Ames on Polygraph Testing (2000)
Whistle Blower Protection Act (1989)
DoD Polygraph Program (1984)
National Security Decision Directive 84 (1983)
Inspector General Act (1978)
Freedom of Information Act (1966)
Administrative Procedure Act (1946)
Espionage Act (1917)

Wildcard Resource

John Adams, a 2008 HBO Mini-Series chronicling the Founding Father’s role in early America
John Adams, much like Mark, was a lawyer dedicated to the right to representation. Adams, ever dedicated to the honor of his profession, was the only attorney who agreed to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. You can read the whole trial here.

Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) – with Sara Castro

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dr. Sara Castro (LinkedIn, Bio) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of US-China diplomacy. Sara is an Associate Professor of History at the United States Air Force Academy.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Dixie Mission
The history of US-China relations dating back to the Opium Wars
China’s involvement with the OSS during WWII
How Mao Zedong & Chiang Kai-shek built modern China

Reflections

Understanding and empathy
Knowledge is power

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Mission to Mao: US Intelligence in China during World War II, Sara B. Castro, (Georgetown University Press, 2024)

SpyCasts

Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin (2023)
China’s Corporate Spy War with CNBC’s Eamon Javers (2023)
Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2022)

Beginner Resources

Beyond the Balloon: The Complicated History Behind US-China Relations, Voice of America, YouTube (2023) [8 min. video]
China’s Overlooked Role in World War II, C. Klein, The History Channel (2022) [Short article]
Secret Agents, Secret Armies: The Short Happy Life of the OSS, The National World War II Museum (2020) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Spies and Lies: How China's Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World, A. Joske (Hardie Grant, 2022)
The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower, M. Pillsbury (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016)
Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937–1945, R. Mitter (Mariner Books, 2013)

Primary Sources

Dixie Mission Remembered in Beijing (2004)
U.S.-PRC Political Negotiations, 1967-1984 (1985)
CIA Intelligence Report: Mao’s “Cultural Revolution” (1967)
War Report: Office of Strategic Services: Operations in the Field (1949)
Madame Chiang Kai-Shek Address to the U.S. House of Representatives (1943)
Treaty Of Tianjin (1858)
Treaty Of Wangxia (1844)

Wildcard Resource

After the signing of the SACO Treaty in 1942, Chinese spymaster Dai Li took command of the US-China intelligence cooperation during World War II.
Six decades later in 2005, Nickelodeon premiered the now immensely popular American anime series Avatar: The Last Airbender. In the series, the elite secret police agency of fictional capital city Ba Sing Se are appropriately named, The Dai Li.

The James Bond Collector - with Mike VanBlaricum

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mike VanBlaricum (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his journey as a James Bond fanatic and collector. Mike is the President of the Ian Fleming Foundation.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How Mike became an obsessive James Bond collector with 10,000 artifacts
Mike’s favorite Bond cars, movies, and books
How From Russia with Love was one of John F Kennedy’s favorite books
Mike’s tips on the best place to start if you want to read the Bond novels

Reflections

The passion of a collector
Pop culture influencing the “real” world

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I've always been fascinated about the study of creativity. And so, between wanting to understand spy craft and that whole human side as well as creativity, creativity like Fleming – How one person can change popular culture, you know, ultimately, something that came out of his mind can change popular culture is just fascinating to me.” – Mike VanBlaricum

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 1 of 2 (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 2 of 2 (2023)
CIA Officers Turned Authors with David McCloskey and James Stejskal (2022)
My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)

Beginner Resources

How to Watch All the James Bond 007 Movies in Order, P. Saperstein, Variety (2023) [Short article]
Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum! International Spy Museum (2024) [2 min. video]
Ian Fleming Life Timeline, Ian Fleming Publications (n.d.) [Timeline]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond, B. Macintyre (Bloomsbury USA, 2008)
Licence to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, J. Chapman (I.B. Tauris, 2008)
Ian Fleming, A. Lycett (St. Martin’s Press, 1995)

Primary Sources

FBI Targeted a Fictional Spy (1980)
E. Germany Brands 007 As ‘Fascist’ (1965)
Memorandum For the Record from Marshall S. Carter (1964)
Our Spy-Boss Who Loved Bond by Allen Dulles (1964)
A Spy’s Spy, a Knight vs. Dragon – That Was the Image of James Bond (1964)

Wildcard Resource

Who’s The Deadliest Bond? Pierce Brosnan – And by a high margin! Brosnan’s 007 had an average of 27 kills per movie. His runner-up, Roger Moore, clocked in an average of 16.6.

o Read the stats by movie here. License to Kill indeed...

A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working at the Central Intelligence Agency.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How psychology can be useful to national security
Historical examples of leadership analysis
Leadership personality assessments & the Cuban Missile Crisis
Psychoanalytic theory and espionage

Reflections

Human nature throughout history
History repeating itself

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Together, these documents are quite powerful. The psych assessments are very, very carefully, tightly held and are classified at a high level. Every intelligence officer has this fantasy about seeing the file that's kept on them by the opponents.” – Dr. Ursula Wilder.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends (2023)
The North Korean Defector with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo (2023)
SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand (2020)

Beginner Resources

What is Psychoanalysis? Institute of Psychoanalysis, YouTube (2011) [3 min. video]
Psychologists in the CIA, American Psychological Association (2002) [Short article]
7 Reasons to Study Psychology, University of Toronto (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Freud and Beyond, S. A. Mitchell (Basic Books, 2016)
Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory, J. M. Post (Cambridge University Press, 2014)
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, E. Hoffer (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2010)
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, D. K. Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, 2004)
Leaders, Fools, and Impostors: Essays on the Psychology of Leadership, M. F. R. Kets de Vries (iUniverse, 2003)

Primary Sources

Charles de Gaulle to Pamela Digby Churchill (1942)
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat (1940)
Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant (1885)
Gettysburg Address (1863)
House Divided Speech (1858)
Excerpt on Cleopatra from Plutarch's Life of Julius Caesar (ca. 2nd century AD)
Plutarch’s The Life of Alexander (ca. 2nd century AD)
Appian’s The Civil Wars (ca. 2nd century AD)
Virgil’s The Aeneid (19 B.C.E)

Wildcard Resource

On Dreams by Sigmund Freud (1901)
In this simplified version of the father of psychoanalysis’ seminal book The Interpretation of Dreams, you can get a small taste for Freudian philosophy. Freud believed that dreams were a reflection of the subconscious mind and that studying a person’s dreams can elucidate their inner wants and needs. What are your dreams telling you?

A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How psychology can be useful to national security
Historical examples of leadership analysis
Leadership personality assessments & the Cuban Missile Crisis
Psychoanalytic theory and espionage

Reflections

Human nature throughout history
History repeating itself

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends (2023)
The North Korean Defector with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo (2023)
SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand (2020)

Beginner Resources

What is Psychoanalysis? Institute of Psychoanalysis, YouTube (2011) [3 min. video]
Psychologists in the CIA, American Psychological Association (2002) [Short article]
7 Reasons to Study Psychology, University of Toronto (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Freud and Beyond, S. A. Mitchell (Basic Books, 2016)
Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory, J. M. Post (Cambridge University Press, 2014)
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, E. Hoffer (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2010)
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, D. K. Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, 2004)
Leaders, Fools, and Impostors: Essays on the Psychology of Leadership, M. F. R. Kets de Vries (iUniverse, 2003)

Primary Sources

Charles de Gaulle to Pamela Digby Churchill (1942)
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat (1940)
Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant (1885)
Gettysburg Address (1863)
House Divided Speech (1858)
Excerpt on Cleopatra from Plutarch's Life of Julius Caesar (ca. 2nd century AD)
Plutarch’s The Life of Alexander (ca. 2nd century AD)
Appian’s The Civil Wars (ca. 2nd century AD)
Virgil’s The Aeneid (19 B.C.E)

Wildcard Resource

On Dreams by Sigmund Freud (1901)
In this simplified version of the father of psychoanalysis’ seminal book The Interpretation of Dreams, you can get a small taste for Freudian philosophy. Freud believed that dreams were a reflection of the subconscious mind and that studying a person’s dreams can elucidate their inner wants and needs. What are your dreams telling you?

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Leon Panetta (Panetta Institute) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn ) to discuss his lifetime of American public service. Secretary Panetta was the 2023 recipient of SPY’s William H. Webster Award.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Directing the Central Intelligence Agency
Intelligence & the Abbottabad Raid
Working within the Clinton Administration
A life’s dedication to the safety of the American public

Reflections

The power of patience and the ability to listen
Handing immense pressure and responsibility

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

My Life in American Intelligence with Barry Zulauf (2023)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022)

Beginner Resources

What Does the Secretary of Defense Do? MasterClass (2022) [Short article]
How did the US find and kill Osama bin Laden? 60 Minutes Australia, YouTube (2018) [4 min. video]
Leon E. Panetta, Panetta Institute for Public Policy (n.d.) [Short biography]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future, C. Whipple (Scribner, 2021)
The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, C. Whipple (Crown, 2018)
Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace, L. Panetta & J. Newton (Penguin Books, 2014)
SECDEF: The Nearly Impossible Job of Secretary of Defense, C. A. Stevenson (Potomac Books, 2007)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Secretary Panetta now lives on a lovely vineyard in sunny California. Speaking of wine and spies, check out Vint Hill Winery in Warrenton, Virginia.
In 1942 the US Army set up top-secret SIGINT operations at the now-vineyard after the farm’s owner, a Ham Radio enthusiast, set up a wire on the roof of the barn that could reach signals from Berlin. The farm was the site of The Signal Corps cryptographic school, which famously intercepted messages from Hiroshi Oshima in 1943.

“The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence” with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Rory Cormac (X) and Richard Aldrich join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and the British Monarchy. The links between the royals and espionage prove the Crown to be far more than just a figurehead.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Prince William’s internship with British Intelligence
How Elizabeth II knew perhaps more secrets that anyone else in history
King Charles' love of intelligence
Queen Victoria as Spymaster
MI5, MI6, and the Diana conspiracies

Reflections

Secrets within secrets
Power and knowledge

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

”What struck me the most was how much access Queen Elizabeth II had, how much she knew … And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that she probably knew more state secrets than any human being who has ever walked the history of the earth, because she had access to everything for 70 odd years.” – Rory Cormac

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

Crown, Cloak, and Dagger: The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence from Victoria to Elizabeth II, R. Cormac & R. J. Aldrich (Georgetown University Press, 2023)

SpyCasts

Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)
British Defence Attaché, U.S.A. with Rear Admiral Tim Woods (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London: The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)

Beginner Resources

UK Royal Family: What does the King do? Jennifer Clarke, BBC (2024) [Short article]
An Average Day in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II, The Infographics Show, YouTube (2020) [9 min. video]
Kings and Queens of England & Britain, Ben Johnson, Historic UK (n.d.) [Brief bios of all Monarchs]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Operation Paget Report (2006)
CIA Confirms Official Met With LaRouche (1984)
Anthony Blunt, 75, Dies; Was Soviet Spy in Britain (1983)
More Cloak Than Dagger – An 18th Century Spy (1965)
The Queen Delivering her speech to the House of Lords (1838)
Popay the Spy Political Cartoon (1833)

Wildcard Resource

Have a sweet tooth? So did many queens. Several delectable desserts have been named by or for British royals. Try these recipes:
Victoria Sponge, named for Queen Victoria’s favorite afternoon tea accompaniment
Charlotte Cake, supposedly named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Queen Elizabeth Cake, first published in the 1953 Coronation Cook Book and served at Elizabeth II’s coronation

From the Vault: 70th Anniversary of James Bond - with Alexis Albion

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Curators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first Ian Fleming novel, Casino Royale.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Bond vs. Real Life Spies
The birth of James Bond
Ian Fleming’s intelligence past
Bond and MI6

Reflections

What makes a character timeless?
Pop culture mirroring real life

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, curators Andrew and Alexis join forces to put the past 70 years of Bond into historical perspective. To help frame their conversation, our collections team brought out a fantastic selection of Bond artifacts for Andrew and Alexis to interact with during the recording of this episode.

Quotes of the Week

“I think in general the spy genre always has to have one foot, often two, in the real world. It's part of what makes that genre appealing and not science fiction. It takes place in the real world. And whether that is, you know, some of the technology or real-world threats, it has to be relatable and recognizable in that sense.” – Alexis Albion.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCast’s

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
Secrets Revealed with Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
CIA Officers Turned Authors with David McCloskey and James Stejskal (2022)
The Spy of the Century with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)

Beginner Resources

MI6 History & Facts, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022) [Brief history of MI6]
The Evolution of James Bond, Fandom Entertainment, YouTube (2021) [15 min. video]
Ian Fleming, Famous Authors (n.d.) [Short biography]

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Primary Sources

Primos Bionic Eye, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
James Bond’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
007 Fragrance Commercial, YouTube (1965)
James Bond Action Pak Toy Commercial, American Character, YouTube (1964)
Aston Martin DB5, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1964)
The Zimmermann Telegram, National Archives (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Everyone has a favorite James Bond theme song. If you just can’t choose just one, check out The Ultimate James Bond Medley – A production from Alchemistic Records featuring all 25 Bond songs.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Australian National Day Special: “Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland”

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

John Blaxland (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Australia and Oceania. John is a widely recognized as a leading expert in this area.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-Australia’s Intelligence Community

-SIGINT in Australia during WWII

-Australia’s relationship with South Asia

-The Pine Gap facility

Reflections

-The implications of geography

-The power of collaboration

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“The shift from the analog to the digital world … The shift for digital espionage, digital footprint management. How do you hide in the noise? How do you cover your identity? How do you protect your identity? … The digital revolution has actually enabled states to exercise a lot more power, a lot more control, a lot more monitoring, a lot more surveillance, a lot more interference.” – John Blaxland.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

-Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intelligence and the advent of cyber, C. Birgin & J. Blaxland (University of New South Wales Press, 2023)

SpyCasts

-SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America (2022)

-Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)

-Desperately, Madly in Love – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC (2021)

Beginner Resources

-East Timor Independence: a short history of a long and brutal struggle, Guardian Australia, YouTube (2019) [4 min. video]

-Our Agencies, National Intelligence Community of Australia (n.d.) [Overview of each agency in the Australian IC]

-What is signals intelligence?, BAE Systems (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

-Spies & Sparrows: ASIO & the Cold War, P. Deery (Melbourne University Press, 2022)

-Australia's First Spies: The Remarkable Story of Australia's Intelligence Operations, 1901-45, J. Fahey (Allen & Unwin, 2019)

-The Official History of ASIO – 3 Volumes, D. Horner, J. Blaxland, R. Crawley (Allen & Unwin, 2014/2015/2016)

Primary Sources

-United Nations Resolution 1272 (1999)

-United Nations Resolution 1264 (1999)

-Five Power Defence Arrangements (1971)

-Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the United States of America relating to the Establishment of a Joint Defence Space Research Facility (1966)

-6 Wireless Unit signal sighting of Allied shipping (1945)

-Role and effectiveness of Signals Intelligence in World War II (1945)

-Four Rotor Enigma Machine, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1943-1944)

Wildcard Resource

-Pine Gap

A TV show about the top-secret satellite surveillance base of the same name. If you’ve seen it, you know it all about Australian Intelligence. Just kidding. But it’s a good watch!

Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

James Crossland (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn ) to discuss the origins of modern terrorism. James is an expert on terrorism, intelligence, and propaganda.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-The origins of modern terrorism

-19th century spymasters

-Covert action and assassinations

-Intelligence as a weapon

Reflections

-Philosophy and ideology’s effect on history

-The power of fear

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“These waves of repression that feed into discontent and create more radical strains of discontent, that is a process that's really observable during this period. The reason why I think this is the first real age of terrorism is because you have all this stuff coming together: Communications that you need to promote terrorist activities to gain the attention you need, societal discontent, dangerous ideas … and it's all moving around together as part of the same process.” – James Crossland.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Spotlight Resource

-The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism, J. Crossland (Manchester University Press, 2023)

SpyCasts

-Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)

-St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site, with Stephen Duffy (2023)

-Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)

-The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy with Alexander Rose (2023)

Beginner Resources

-Terrorism, J. P. Jenkins, Encyclopaedia Brittanica (2023) [Short article / definition]

-What Were The Most Important Events of the 19th Century?, C. Seaver, History Defined (2022) [Short article]

-Marxism in Under 5 Minutes, Theory in 5, YouTube (2020) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

-Sofia Perovskaya, Terrorist Princess: The Plot to Kill Tsar Alexander II and the Woman Who Led It, R. R. Riggs (Global Harmony Press Inc., 2018)

-The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815-1914, R. J. Evans (Penguin Books, 2017)

-Blood and Rage: A Cultural History of Terrorism, M. Burleigh (Harper, 2009)

Primary Sources

-The assassination, who is responsible? (1901)

-New York Times “Empress of Austria Slain” Article (1898)

-New York Times “War On Terrorism” Article (1881)

-La vérité sur Orsini (1872) [The Truth about Orsini]

-Manifesto of the Paris Commune (1871)

-The Revolutionary Catechism (1869)

-On the Fenian Prisoners in Manchester (1867)

-Procès de Orsini (1858) [The Trial of Orsini]

Wildcard Resource

-You may have already read his classic play Crime and Punishment, but have you read Dostoevsky’s The Idiot (1869)?

This novel is known as Dostoevsky’s most personal work, a story that clearly shows the threads of his own life experiences during 19th century Russia. The novel explores many of the same questions of philosophy and politics explored in this episode of SpyCast.

From the Vault: The Professional Hacker with Eric Escobar (Pt 1.)

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a coveted DEFCON Black Badge.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-What keeps Eric up at night

-Thinking like an ethical hacker (aka a “penetration tester)

-Protecting your information (i.e., “Hardening the attack surface”)

-Plain English explanations of key cyber concepts like “Kill Chains” and “Zero Days”

Reflections

-Having a cool job

-The information revolution and life in the modern world

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Eric Escobar commits several thousand felonies on any given day, if he didn’t have permission to do what he was doing.

A Principal Security Consultant with SecureWorks, Eric has compromised pretty much everything out there: from healthcare and banking to technology and critical infrastructure, through to amusement parks and next generation military aircraft.

“From my perspective, it’s the coolest job in the entire world.”

His team consecutively won first place in the Wireless CTF category at DEF CON 23, 24, and 25, snagging a Black Badge along the way. He has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering.

And…

The links between computing, hacking and the 60’s counterculture are FASCINATING. Learn more by dipping your toes here and here, or dive deeper with What the Dormouse Said (2005) by John Markoff and From Counterculture to Cyberculture (2006) by Fred Turner.

Quote of the Week

"Watching any critical infrastructure get compromised is really the thing that keeps me up at night because lives are in the balance…and we do a lot of testing for critical infrastructure, and I've seen computers and machines that have been online and not been taken offline, longer than I've been alive…So really interesting to see those types of things because they interact with really big, expensive hardware…there's a catch 22 that happens where you can't really take the machine offline to do maintenance on it because it's critical infrastructure. So then how do you test it to make sure that a hacker can't take it offline, or maintenance can't be done on it? " – Eric Escobar.

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

-Word Notes

From beginner thru advanced, you’ll find some helpful definitions of things like “Web 3.0,” “NFT’s” and “Digital Transformation” on this Cyberwire audio glossary.

SpyCasts

-Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) – with John Lambert and Cristin Goodwin (2021)

-The Cyber Zeitgeist – with Dave Bittner (2021)

-Securing Cyberspace – with Charlie Mitchell (2016)

Beginner Resources

-What is Hacking? The Economic Times (n.d.) [web]

-Ethical Hacking in 8 Minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [8 min video]

-Cybersecurity in 7 minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [7 min video]

Books

-The Cyberweapons Arms Race, N. Perloth (Bloomsbury, 2021)

-Cult of the Dead Cow, J. Menn (PublicAffairs, 2020)

-Breaking & Entering, J. Smith (Mariner Books, 2019)

-The Art of Invisibility, K. Mitnick (L, B & C, 2017)

-Ghost in the Wires, K. Mitnick (Back Bay Books, 2012)

-Kingpin, K. Poulson (Crown, 2012)

-The Cuckoo’s Egg, C. Stoll (Doubleday, 1989)

-Neuromancer, W. Gibson (Ace, 1984)

Articles

-2022 State of the Threat: A Year in Review, Secureworks (2022)

-The Anthropology of Hackers, The Atlantic (2010)

-Timeline Since 2006: Significant Cyber Incidents, CSIS (n.d.)

Documentary

-DEFCON, The Documentary Network (2013)

Resources

-Government Hacking Bibliography, S. Quinlan, New America Foundation (2016)

Wildcard Resource

-“The Aurora Shard”

Come to the International Spy Museum to see an ugly chunk of metal. Why? Well, it speaks to a revolution in the relationship between the material world and the non-material world. Broken down? 30 lines of code blew up a 27-ton generator. Zeros and ones can cause violent explosions!

From the Vault: “The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Alan Kohler joins Andrew to discuss the FBI’s counterintelligence division. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation.

FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-Counterintelligence vs. Counterespionage

-How the FBI recruit’s foreign agents

-Ideological motivations behind spying

-Effect of technology on counterintelligence

Reflections

-Staying grounded under pressure

-The value of creativity

Notes

Alan Kohler (LinkedIn, Website) has been the FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence since 2020. Alan and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) talk all things counterintelligence.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

SpyCasts

-The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 1 (2022)

-The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 2 (2022)

-My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent with Kathy Stearman (2021)

-The FBI Way with Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi (2021)

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

Beginner Resources

-What We Investigate, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]

-FAQ’S, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]

-US Opens Counterintelligence Investigation into China Every 12 Hours (Dir. Wray), MSNBC (2022) [video]

-What We Know About China’s Spy Agency, Bloomberg Originals (2019) [video]

-Hollow Nickel/Rudolf Abel, FBI (n.d.) [Article]

-NCSC Mission, Vision, and Goals, ODNI (n.d.) [Website]

Glossary:

-Counterintelligence: Information gathered, and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage or other intelligence activities

-FBI Attaché: a special agent assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to liaise with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. They pursue terrorist, intelligence, and criminal threats with international dimensions.

-Occam’s Razor: a rule of thumb theory that states when you are faced with competing explanations for the same phenomenon, the simplest one is probably the correct one. Attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th century English theologian.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

From the Vault: Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Shane Harris (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the role of intelligence in the Ukraine conflict one year after it began. Shane reports on intelligence for the Washington Post and is the author of two books.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-Where we are with the war in Ukraine

-The role intelligence agencies are playing in the conflict

-The leadership of Zelensky and Putin

-What it’s like to report on spies

-Dealing with sources inside the intelligence agencies

Reflections

-The tenacity of the Ukrainian people and army

-History as both repetitive and unpredictable

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Shane Harris of The Washington Post joins Andrew to reflect on the previous year and discuss the role of intelligence within the war in Ukraine. He has been writing about these issues for more than two decades, including a period with the Wall Street Journal. He is the author of two books, The Watchers, on the rise of surveillance in the US, and @War, on the rise of the military-internet complex. He was part of a team that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2021.

Quote of the Week

“At the outset, [I] believed that what we were looking at was probably a pretty swift Russian victory … They would come in, they would decapitate the central government in Kiev in the first 72 hours, and it would be bloody, and it would be violent, but that Russia would prevail because they were deemed to have the superior military in terms of technology experience numbers. Turns out, all those things were spectacularly wrong.” – Shane Harris.

Resources

SpyCasts

-How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

-Dealing with Russia A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)

-Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)

-The Information Battlespace: Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2022)

Beginner Resources

-Has Putin's war failed and what does Russia want?, P. Kirby, BBC (2023)

-A Brief History of Modern Ukraine, BBC (2022) [YouTube video]

-Russia-Ukraine Relations in 60 Seconds, CBC News (2022)

“Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Bonny Lin (Biography) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the current state of China and intelligence. Bonny is the Director of the ChinaPower Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

-China’s economic power and status

-The current landscape of Chinese intelligence

-China’s relationship with Taiwan

-The ChinaPower Project

Reflections

-Power and prominence

-The global community as a complicated ecosystem

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“In the last couple of years, we've seen really a securitization of how China views intelligence and national security in general. And just this July, we saw China pass a revised counter espionage law. So with the whole host of laws of China's past since 2014 … it basically has made collection of intelligence and protecting Chinese national security the responsibility of every Chinese citizen.” - Bonny Lin.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

-The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence with Dina Rezk (2023)

-China’s Corporate Spy War with CNBC’s Eamon Javers (2023)

-The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)

-Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2022)

Beginner Resources

-China-Taiwan crisis explained: What is behind the tensions?, ITV News, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]

-8 things you need to know about China’s economy, World Economic Forum (2016) [Short article]

-Xi Jinping, Forbes (n.d) [Brief profile]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

-Spies and Lies: How China's Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World, A. Joske (Hardie Grant, 2022)

-The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia, I. Easton (Eastbridge Books, 2019)

-The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower, M. Pillsbury (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016)

Primary Sources

-National Intelligence Estimate – China-Taiwan: Prospects or Cross-Strait Relations (1999)

-Forecasting the Sino-Vietnamese Split (1986)

-China-Vietnam: A Status Report (1983)

-Establishment of a China Task Force (1966)

-Communist Chinese Intervention in the Vietnam War (1966)

-Controls on Trade with Communist China (1955)

Wildcard Resource

-Need a good cookie recipe for the holidays? Try this recipe adapted from the 1300-year old cookies found during the 1915 excavation of the Astana Cemetery in Xinjiang, China.

-The petrified cookies are currently part of the collection of the British Museum, and still look quite tasty!

“My Life in American Intelligence” – with Barry Zulauf

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Barry Zulauf (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn ) to discuss his extensive experience working across the American intelligence community. Barry is the President of the International Association for Intelligence Education.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What is the “Intelligence Community?”
The organizational structure of American intelligence
The establishment of the ODNI
The intelligence components of the DEA

Reflections

A life of service
Passion to serve the people

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“[Fentanyl] is an enormous, enormous problem and no single organization, even as big as the Defense Intelligence enterprise, can deal with it alone. So, it's going to be a lot of diplomacy and a lot of building bridges, convincing people to do the right thing.” – Barry Zulauf.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

First of Many…America’s First Female Intelligence Agency Chief with former NGA Director Letitia “Tish” Long (2023)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)
El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz (2022)

Beginner Resources

America's intelligence community, explained, The Washington Post, YouTube (2014) [2 min. video]
Members of the IC, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (n.d.) [Brief summaries of the 18 agencies]
Who We Are, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (n.d) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

The WMD Commission Report (2005)
The 9/11 Commission Report (2004)
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (2004)
The Clark Report (1955)
The Doolittle Report (1955)
National Security Act (1947)
CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)

Wildcard Resource

Barry mentioned early in the episode that he actually rowed into town the morning we recorded this episode – Barry shares this hobby with Teddy Roosevelt, an avid rower and the president that was instrumental in the creation of the FBI.
Check out this Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt that catapulted the FBI into existence.

“The Most Famous Art Detective in the World” – with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Robert Wittman (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Bob recovered over $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property over the course of his career.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How the FBI’s Art Crime Team (ACT) was formed
The intelligence angle when investigating provenance
Living and working undercover abroad
Museums & Intelligence

Reflections

The importance of cultural property
Questions of ownership and belonging

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“The motivation for writing the book was to get the word out how important cultural heritage is. It really is important to make the public realize that this is an important program that should be supported by law enforcement both local and federal.” – Robert Wittman.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Featured Resource

Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures, R. Wittman (Crown Publishing, 2011)

SpyCasts

The Gambling Capital of the World: Intelligence, Las Vegas Style! with James Lockhart and Keith Michaels (2023)
Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

Beginner Resources

Why art gets stolen time and again, R. Pryor, The Art Newspaper (2020) [Short article]
FBI Art Theft Program, FBI, YouTube (2013) [6 min. video]
What is cultural property?, Information and Heritage Inspectorate (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Crystal Sphere, Collection of the University of Pennsylvania Museum
Mask of the Man with the Broken Nose, Collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Concert, Collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Rosenberg Diary, Collection of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Museums and the theft of works of art (1973)

*Wildcard Resource*

Can you identify famous pieces and artists like an art detective?
Take this Google Arts & Culture quiz to see if you’re cut out for the job!

“The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence” – with Dina Rezk

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dina Rezk (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Egyptian intelligence. Dina is an Associate Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Reading.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Egyptian leadership & intelligence
The intelligence landscape of Egypt
Egypt’s relationship with neighboring countries
Ashraf Marwan’s story from the Egyptian perspective

Reflections

Leadership, power, and opposition
International perspectives and changing views

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“I think that's one of the ways in which the Egyptian Intelligence Service sort of conceives of its primary responsibility. It's about maintaining internal security, and particularly at the moment you know, since 2014, I would say sort of eliminating any sort of political opposition, any possibility of political opposition.” – Dina Rezk.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War with Uri Bar-Joseph (2023)
Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer with R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran (2023)
Kenya, East Africa, and America with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2023)

Beginner Resources

Egypt Profile, BBC News (2019) [Timeline]
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi - in 60 seconds, BBC News, YouTube (2014) [1 min. video]
Why Was The Suez Crisis So Important?, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]

Featured Resource

The Arab World and Western Intelligence: Analysing the Middle East, 1956-1981 (Intelligence, Surveillance and Secret Warfare), D. Rezk (Edinburgh University Press, 2018)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Making the Arab World: Nasser, Qutb, and the Clash That Shaped the Middle East, F. A. Gerges (Princeton University Press, 2018)
Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak, T. Osman (Yale University Press, 2011)
Nasser: The Last Arab, S. K. Aburish (Thomas Dunne Books, 2004)
Orientalism, E. W. Said (Vintage Publishing, 1979)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

“Intelligence” in Egypt goes back as far as the ancient times of pyramids and pharaohs. One of the earliest accounts of the impact of spies and propaganda in Ancient Egypt is the Battle of Kadesh, a major conflict against the Hittite Empire around 1275 BC.
Check out this relief seen inside the Great Temple of Ramses II depicting an ancient view of interrogation.

“British Defence Attaché, U.S.A.” – with Rear Admiral Tim Woods

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Rear Admiral Tim Woods (Biography) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his role as Britain’s Defence Attaché to the United States. Tim previously served as the British Defence Attaché in Kyiv, Ukraine.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What does a Defense Attaché do
How intelligence impacts military strategy
Admiral Woods’ experience of the 2021 Russian invasion of Ukraine
What it’s like to constantly be surveilled

Reflections

The power of relationships and connections
Sacrificing personal privacy for national security

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)

Beginner Resources

What Is The Five Eyes Alliance?, K. Haan, Forbes (2023) [Short article]
Russian invasion of Ukraine: A visual timeline of the war, ABC News, YouTube (2023) [6 min. video]
What is a defence attaché?, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (2007) [Backgrounder]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The untold story of the shadowy international spy network, R. Kerbaj (Blink Publishing, 2022)
The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine, S. Plokhy (Basic Books, 2017)
Defense of the West, S. Sloan (Manchester University Press, 2016)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Midway (1976)
A (dramatic) retelling of the 1942 Battle of Midway, one of the most critical naval battles of the Second World War – A battle that perfectly exhibits the importance of intelligence in a time of war.

“My Father the Navajo Code-Talker” – with Laura Tohe

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Laura Tohe (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the stories of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers. Laura is a Diné author and the Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How the Code Talking units were formed
How the Navajo people used their language as a weapon
Laura’s father, Benson Tohe’s story
Did the Japanese ever break the code?

Reflections

The relationship between language and the state
Storytelling and the power of oral history

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“When they got into the service they were told, ‘Now you're going to use your language to develop a code.’ They said, ‘But, back at home they told us not to speak Navajo, and now they want us to develop a code in Navajo?’ So, they were not only astounded, they were puzzled why they would be asked to do this when they were in a school where their identity was being erased.” – Laura Tohe.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall with Director Steve James (2023)
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)

Beginner Resources

1942: Navajo Code Talkers, Intel.gov (n.d.) [short article]
Basic Navajo Introduction, YouTube (2012) [3 min. video]
American Indian Code Talkers, WWII Museum (n.d.) [short article]

Featured Resource

Code Talker Stories, Laura Tohe (Rio Nuevo, 2012)

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Diné Bahaneʼ: The Navajo Creation Story

“Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen” – with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Andrew leads a SPY Museum panel discussion between four experts on the most damaging mole in FBI history, Robert Hanssen. This program was in collaboration with CBS/Paramount on their new podcast “Agent of Betrayal"

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The story of Robert Hanssen
How his colleagues reacted to his betrayal
A psychological analysis of Hanssen
How the Hanssen case has impacted the FBI and U.S. intelligence

Reflections

Disillusionment and betrayal
“The child is father of the man”

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen with Lis Wiehl (2022)

Beginner Resources

Here's the damage notorious Russian spy Robert Hanssen caused the US in over 20 years, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
How Robert Hanssen Spied for the Soviets, History (2017) [Short article]
How is a mole different from a spy?, The Times of India (2006) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, C. Walton (Simon & Schuster, 2023)
A Spy in Plain Sight: The Inside Story of the FBI and Robert Hanssen―America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, L. Wiehl (Pegasus Books, 2022)
Spy: The Inside Story of How the FBI's Robert Hanssen Betrayed America, D. Wise (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003)

Primary Sources

Double Bill: “Former Head of Counter-terrorism Analysis, IDF” – with Shlomo Mofaz; and “Former Head of Intelligence, Mossad” – with Zohar Palti

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Col. (Ret.) Shlomo Mofaz (LinkedIn) and Col (Ret.) Zohar Palti (Wikipedia) join Andrew to discuss their respective careers in the Israeli Defense Forces and the Mossad.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Israel’s relationships with neighboring countries
The role of intelligence within the Intifadas
Israel and the Lebanon War
Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups that pose threats to Israeli security

Reflections

Pressure and power
Dealing with constant threats

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, we bring you a Double Bill featuring Shlomo Mofaz and Zohar Palti. Shlomo Mofaz is the former Head of Counter-terrorism Analysis for the Israeli Defense forces, and currently serves as the director of the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. Among positions within the IDF and the Ministry of Defense, Zohar Palti formerly served as the Head of Intelligence for the Mossad.

This episode is the final installment of SpyCast’s month-long special series on Israeli intelligence. This series has coincided with the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. We hope that through these episodes we’ve provided listeners with a bit of clarity and background on the conflict and its major players.

Quotes of the Week

“When you're dealing with intelligence, mistakes are very problematic … People make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but you need to choose the best people that you can work with and you can count on to bring the information or the service that you need in real time.“ -Shlomo Mofaz.

“They can't be the best over here in the Middle East right now that we can deal with any threat in a radius of 2000 kilometers without being, in a way, superpowering intelligence. We are not superpowering other issues. In intelligence, we are really, really good. And this is, first of all, to protect our family. And secondly, surviving over here in the region. We have to be the best.” -Zohar Palti.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer with R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran (2023)
Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)

Beginner Resources

A Timeline of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict, E. Bubola, The New York Times (2023) [Timeline]
The Middle East's cold war, explained, YouTube (2017) [10 min. video]
What is an intifada?, A.V., The Economist (2017)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations, R. Bergman (Random House, 2018)
Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad, G. Thomas (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2015)
34 Days: Israel, Hezbollah, and the War in Lebanon, A. Harel & A. Issacharoff (St. Martin’s Press, 2008)

Video

The Green Prince (2014)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Indiana “Dietrick” Jones?!
Ever wanted to go on an architectural dig, intrigued by the prospect of finding an ancient artifact – or even treasure…grab your hat and bullwhip and book your dig for a day in Israel here!

“Sayeret Matkal: Israel’s Top-Secret Elite Commando Unit” – with Aviram Halevi

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Lt. Col. (ret.) Aviram Halevi (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Israel’s top secret commando unit, Sayeret Matkal. Aviram formerly served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sayeret Matkal.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The origins of Sayeret Matkal
Collaboration across Israeli intelligence
Operation Spring of Youth & the Entebbe Raid
Intelligence & hostage retrieval

Reflections

The value of teamwork
No room for fear

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined by Aviram Halevi, former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s top-secret elite commando unit. Aviram served over two decades in various branches of Israeli intelligence, and recently co-wrote the book Sayeret Matkal: The Greatest Operations of Israel's Elite Commandos. Andrew and Aviram discuss the origins and history of the unit, including the stories of some of Sayeret Matkal’s most notable operations.

And…

Sayeret Matkal’s motto is “Who Dares Wins” – A motto first used by Britain’s Special Air Service during World War II. Since then, 11 other elite special forces units have also adopted the saying.

Quotes of the Week

“What makes [Sayeret Matkal] so unique? The fact is that these people, and you mentioned that before, we are not rambos and there is no ramboism in the unit in Sayeret Matkal. On the contrary, the basic building block of the Sayeret is the team. The team is what you're kind of imprinted with once you get drafted. And this will be your designation forever. I'm team Raz. Raz was my commander, and my soldiers are team Aviram for the rest of their lives.” – Aviram Halevi.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War with Uri Bar-Joseph (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2022)
Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior with Ric Prado (2022)

Beginner Resources

Massacre at the 1972 Olympic Games, National Park Service (2023) [Short article]
What Is Sayeret Matkal, Israel's Special Forces Unit Set For Hostage Rescue Operation In Gaza?v, YouTube (2023) [7 min. video]
Entebbe Raid, Encyclopedia Brittanica (n.d.) [Short encyclopedia entry]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Sayeret Matkal: The Greatest Operations of Israel's Elite Commandos, A. Shur & A. Halevi (Skyhorse, 2023)
No Mission Is Impossible: The Death-Defying Missions of the Israeli Special Forces, M. Bar-Zohar & N. Mishal (Ecco, 2016)
Operation Thunderbolt: Flight 139 and the Raid on Entebbe Airport, the Most Audacious Hostage Rescue Mission in History, S. David (Little, Brown and Company, 2015)
Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team, G. Jonas (Simon & Schuster, 2005)

Video

Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story (2012)
One Day in September (1999)

Primary Sources

Entebbe Protocols (1976) [Rabin, Allon, Peres, etc.]
Ambassador Dinitz and Secretary Kissinger (June 30, 1976)
Ambassador Dinitz and Secretary Kissinger (July 5, 1976)
Uganda, Kenya Dispute (1976)
Amin Says Uganda Retains Right to Reply to the Raid (1976)
Speech by Ugandan Prime Minister on the 40th Anniversary of Entebbe (2016)

Wildcard Resource

Elite commando units like Sayeret Matkal, while not as focused on intelligence, go back as far as military history. To read about the special forces of antiquity, check out Persia’s The Immortals, Byzantine’s Tagma, and Rome’s Extraordinarii

BONUS Episode: Spy Valley – An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal: Panel Discussion

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Welcome to a very special bonus episode of SpyCast, coming to you directly from the stage of the International Spy Museum. Last month, we hosted a live panel discussion in collaboration with our friends at Goat Rodeo who produced the new podcast, Spy Valley: An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal, a series by Project Brazen and PRX.

The riveting series tells the true story of James Harper, a Silicon Valley engineer turned spy who sold nuclear secrets to the Soviet Bloc. The series takes listeners on a journey of nuclear spying, technology theft, and double agents, with intelligence that might still help Moscow in a nuclear exchange today. Tune in to all six episodes of Spy Valley NOW to learn more!

This live panel features moderator Sharon Weinberger, the national security and foreign policy editor at The Wall Street Journal, featuring Zach Dorfman, investigative journalist and host of Spy Valley; John Gibbons, who headed the United States Attorney's prosecution team in the case against James Harper; Dr. Raymond J. Batvins, Former Supervisory Special Agent and Counterintelligence Course Instructor at the Institute of World Politics; and Dr. Vince Houghton, Director of the National Cryptologic Museum and former historian at SPY. They’ll explore how the tech capital of the world became a hotbed for Soviet Bloc spies and what James Harper’s betrayal of his country has meant for modern day warfare.

Thank you to our friends and collaborators at Goat Rodeo, Project Brazen, and PRX for their support of this program.

Listen to the series here or wherever you get your podcasts.

“The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War” – with Uri Bar-Joseph

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Uri Bar-Joseph (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the intelligence failure of the Yom Kippur War. Uri is an author and professor emeritus at Haifa University.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How Israel failed to predict the Yom Kippur War
Egyptian spy Ashraf Marwan’s role in the War
How Israeli intelligence evolved post-War
Israeli leadership’s accountability for the failure

Reflections

Learning and adapting from mistakes
Catastrophe and national trauma

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2023)
POW’s, Vietnam and Intelligence with Pritzker Curator James Brundage (2022)
The CIA and the 9/11 Commission Report – A Conversation with Alexis Albion (2021)
Pearl Harbor at 75: An Interview with Steve Twomey (2016)

Beginner Resources

Yom Kippur, Encyclopedia Brittanica (2023) [Short Article]
Intelligence Failure: What, When, Why and How, A. Clark, Grey Dynamics (2023) [Article]
Yom Kippur War, Pritzker Military Museum and Library, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East, U. Kaufman (St. Martin Press, 2023)
THE ANGEL: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel, U. Bar-Joseph (Harper Publishing, 2017)
The Watchmen Fell Asleep: The Surprise of Yom Kippur and Its Sources, U. Bar-Joseph (State University of New York Press, 2005)
The Yom Kippur War: The Epic Encounter That Transformed the Middle East, A. Rabinovich (Shocken, 2004)

Primary Sources

Agranat Commission of Inquiry Interim Report, Center for Israeli Education (1974)
Israel-Egypt Separation of Forces Agreement, Center for Israeli Education (1974)
Intelligence Memorandum: The Israeli Primary Elections (1973)
United Nations Resolution 338 (1973)
Response to U.S. Appeal for a Ceasefire (1973)
Transcript of Secret Talks between Egyptian National Security Adviser Hafez Ismail and US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger, Center for Israeli Education, Center for Israeli Education (1973)
Commemoration of IDF Casualties and Congratulations on Victory in Battle (1967)

“Former Israeli National Security Advisor” – with Uzi Arad

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Uzi Arad (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and policy at the highest level. Uzi was also a former foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Director of Intelligence for the Mossad.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

National security in Israel
Israel’s position within the Middle East
State leaders as consumers of intelligence
Uzi’s relationship with PM Netanyahu

Reflections

Handling intense pressure
Power, proximity, and influence

And much, much more …

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2023)
Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)
Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy with Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood (2021)

Beginner Resources

National Security Definition and Examples, R. Longley, ThoughtCo (2021) [Short article]
What Was the Iran-Contra Affair?, HISTORY, YouTube (2018) [5 min. video]
A 60-Second Guide To The Arab Spring, G. Wyler, Insider (2011) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East, U. Kaufman (St. Martin’s Press, 2023)
Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu, A. Pfeffer (Basic Books, 2018)
Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad, G. Thomas (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2015)
Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, M. B. Oren (Presidio Press, 2006)

Primary Sources

Trilateral Statement on the Middle East Summit at David Peace, The Avalon Project (2000)
The Wye River Memorandum (1998)
The Washington Declaration, Jewish Virtual Library (1994)
Report of the Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair, CIA FOIA (1987)
Israel’s “Peace for the Galilee” Operation in Lebanon – Some Initial Perspectives, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (1982)
Sitting 145 of the Ninth Knesset (1978)

“A Crash Course in Israeli Intelligence” – with Erez David Maisel

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez David Maisel (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to provide a crash-course in Israeli Intelligence history. Erez is a researcher and former head of the IDF’s International Cooperation Division.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Early history of intelligence in Israel
The origins of Israeli intelligence organizations
Preparing for a Nazi invasion of British Palestine
The shift from British to American influence on Israeli intelligence

Reflections

The challenge of survival
Conflict and compromise, or lack thereof

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined by Erez David Maisel to discuss an overview of the history of intelligence and espionage in Israel. This episode is the first in our 5-part series on Israeli Intelligence. In this month-long series, SpyCast takes a deep dive into the ins and outs of intelligence and espionage in Israel – its intricate history, agencies, major successes and failures, and current state. In this first episode, Erez helps us to lay out a broad roadmap of the history of Israeli intelligence, providing an excellent foundation of knowledge to build upon in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

And…

Erez is an alumni of the University of Haifa, which sits atop the northeastern slope of Israel’s Mount Caramel mountain rage. On the western side of the range, you can find the The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that documents over 500,000 years of the history human evolution.

Quotes of the Week

“I would say that from 1909 until probably the early eighties of the 20th century, the biggest threat is survival. You know, this fear that somebody … would come and do something. And we have to protect ourselves from that.” – Erez David Maisel.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Kenya, East Africa, and America with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett (2023)
Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2023)
Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)

Beginner Resources

Israel Profile: Timeline, BBC (2019) [Timeline of important events]
The Israel-Palestine conflict: a brief, simple history, Vox, YouTube (2016) [10 min. video]
Zionism, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023) [Short background article]

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion, T. Segev (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2019)
A History of the First Arab-Israeli War, B. Morris (Yale University Press, 2009)
The Sword And The Olive: A Critical History Of The Israeli Defense Force, M. Van Creveld (PublicAffairs, 2002)
One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs Under the British Mandate, T. Segev (Picador, 2001)

Primary Sources

The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel (1948)
Israel Requests Recognition From the United States, Jewish Virtual Library (1948)
Presentation of the Jewish case by representatives of the Jewish Agency, Jewish Virtual Library (1947)
The Balfour Declaration, Center for Israel Education (1917)
The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)
The Jewish Question and the Plan for the Jewish State, Center for Israel Education (1896)

Wildcard Resource

While this episode focuses mainly intelligence over the past 100 years, the history of espionage in Israel goes back much further.
Check out the Story of the 12 Spies from a portion of the Torah to learn more about biblical spies!

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

“First of Many…America’s First Female Intelligence Agency Chief” – with former NGA Director Letitia “Tish” Long

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Letitia “Tish” Long (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her time as the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Tish was the first woman to be appointed director of an American intelligence agency.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

GEOINT & its importance
Tish’s recollection of the Bin Laden raid
The differences between NGO and NGA
Information sharing between spy chiefs

Reflections

The value of mentorship
Being the first, but certainly not the last

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“Make sure that you are taking care of yourself, that you're getting that balance, you know, work life balance. And when I say that, I mean many different things because everybody is different. Whether it's family, friends, spiritual, physical, or working out, you’ve got to take care of all aspects of yourself so you're ready to give 110%. Because that's what the intelligence community takes.” – Tish Long.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd with Jorhena Thomas (2023)
SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” with Ellen McCarthy (Part 1 of 2)
SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” with Ellen McCarthy (Part 2 of 2)

Beginner Resources

What is Geospatial Intelligence or GEOINT?, Geospatial World, YouTube (2023) [2 min. video]
Spy Satellite Expert Explains How to Analyze Satellite Imagery, Wired, YouTube (2021) [5 min. video]
NGA History, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (n.d) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Geospatial Intelligence: Origins and Evolution, R. M. Clark (Georgetown University Press, 2020)
Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence, J. Clapper (Penguin Books, 2018)
Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad, P. L. Bergen (Crown, 2012)

Primary Sources

The Advent of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Office of the NGA Historian (2011)
Geospatial Intelligence Basic Doctrine, NGA (2006)
Memorandum to the Director of NIMA on Expanded Use of US Commercial Space Imagery, CIA (2002)
A Century of CORONA, CIA (1968)
NGA Reference Chronology, Office of the NGA Historian (n.d.)

“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Vappala Balachandran (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the ancient roots of espionage in India. Bala formerly served as Special Secretary for India’s Cabinet Secretariat.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

India’s Research and Analysis Wing
The Tamil Tigers’ threat to Indian national security
Intelligence considerations within India-Pakistan relations
Lessons in intelligence from Ancient India

Reflections

Intelligence, the 2nd oldest profession
Transitioning from leader to student

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“There was a lot of pressure. There was a lot of pressure, especially, for example: Certain incidents happening – What would be the repercussions in India? Now, anything that happens in Pakistan, it will have some repercussions in India. And, same thing in Afghanistan, and then all the neighboring countries, we are to watch them.” – Vappala Balachandran.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)
Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)
Indian Intelligence & Cyber, A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai (2023)
Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy with Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood (2021)

Beginner Resources

The Entire History of India in Under 10 Minutes, Made in History, YouTube (2022) [10 min. Video]
RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations, Y. Yadav, New Indian Express (2020) [Short article]
Timeline: India-Pakistan Relations, A. Hashim, Al Jazeera (2019) [Historical timeline]

DEEPER DIVE

Primary Sources

Agreement on a ceasefire between Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (2022)
Pradhan Inquiry Commission Report, 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks (2009)
Lessons from the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks, US Senate Hearing (2009)
Kautilya’s Arthashastra (1915 translation)
Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkuṟaḷ (1886 translation)
The Police Act (1861)

“Irish Garda Intelligence Chief” – with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Michael McElgunn (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in the Republic of Ireland. Michael is the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána’s Crime and Security Intelligence Service.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The history of An Garda Síochána
The intelligence components of the Garda
The present state of Northern Ireland relations
Current threats to Irish national security

Reflections

The value of collaboration
Evolving alongside a changing world

And much, much more …

Quote of the Week

“I think people should in general take comfort from the work that is done by intelligence services and the exceptional collaboration that there is with these services to keep people safe. And that is not just at home, that's abroad – Where we come into possession of a piece of intelligence that we feel will be a value elsewhere, we'll share that elsewhere.” – Michael McElgunn.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Kenya, East Africa, and America with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)

Beginner Resources

A Brief History of Ireland, T. Lambert, Local Histories, n.d. [Short article]
Our History, An Garda Síochána, n.d. [Web page]
The Troubles, J. Wallenfeldt, Encyclopedia Britannica [Encyclopedia entry]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, F. O’Toole (Liveright, 2023)
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, P. R. Keefe (Anchor, 2020)
Policing Twentieth Century Ireland: A History of An Garda Síochána, V. Conway (Routledge, 2013)
The Guarding of Ireland – The Garda Síochána and the Irish State 1960–2014: A History of the Irish Police Force, C. Brady (Gill Books, 2014)

Primary Sources

Gárda Síochána (Temporary Provisions) Act (1923)
Royal Irish Constabulary Office Preliminary Arrangements for Disbandment, Garda Archives (1922)
Orders for the Guidance of the Troops, Garda Archives (1919)
National Union of Police and Prison Officers, National Museum of Ireland (1919)
The Police and the Nation, Garda Archives (1916)
1916 Proclamation, National Museum of Ireland (1916)

“Kenya, East Africa, and America” – with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Brigadier General (Ret.) Wilson Boinett joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Kenyan intelligence. Wilson is the former Director of Kenya’s National Intelligence Service.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The effect of colonialism on intelligence
The organization of Kenya’s National Intelligence Service
Wilson’s role in adapting and reforming Kenyan intelligence
The Nairobi bombings and effects on East Africa

Reflections

Institutional insurgency
The courage to push for and enact change

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, we are thrilled to be joined by our first ever African intelligence chief. Brigadier General (Ret.) Wilson Boinett is the individual credited with transforming Kenya’s National Intelligence Service into the world-class agency it is today. Following a decades long career in the Kenyan Army, Wilson became the first Director of the newly created intelligence agency in 1999. He believed in the possibly of change and the potential for collaboration amongst East African countries and set out to do just that. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn more about his extraordinary career and lessons in leadership.

This episode is the second in our Spy Chiefs Special series that will run throughout September. Stay tuned in the weeks to come to hear perspectives from Ireland, India, and the first woman to direct an American intelligence organization.

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

Quotes of the Week

I was coming in at the time when all those things were happening and the Cold War was over, and the western intelligence did not care very much what Kenya was going to do. So, I had an opportunity to look at this monster called change …. I went to the president, and I said, “I think it is time to change.” And he said, “Go change it.”

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)
The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

A Brief History of Kenya, A. Boddy-Evans, ThoughtCo (2020) [Short Article]
The Late British Empire, History Matters, YouTube (2017) [Ten-minute video]
What Was the Mau Mau Uprising? Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

DEEPER DIVE

Books

History of Resistance in Kenya, M. wa Kĩnyattĩ (Mau Mau Research Center, 2019)
Kenya After 50: Reconfiguring Historical, Political, and Policy Milestones, M. M. Kithinji et al. (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)
Population, Tradition, and Environmental Control in Colonial Kenya, M. S. Shanguhyia (University of Rochester Press, 2015)
Kenya: A History Since Independence, C. Hornsby (I.B. Tauris, 2013)

Primary Sources

Report of the Accountability Review Boards: Bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, US Department of Justice (1999)
5 Fugitives Indicted in Embassy Bombings, J. Mintz, The Washington Post (1998)
The National Security Intelligence Service Act (1998)
Lancaster House Agreement, United Nations Peacemaker (1979)
Kenya Independence Act (1963)
Kenyan Independence Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth, UK National Archives (1963)
Mau Mau Violence – Control Measures, CIA (1953)
The Situation in Kenya (Mau Mau Uprising), CIA (1952)
General Act of the Berlin Conference on West Africa, San Diego State University (1885)

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

*Wildcard Resource*

Take a trip to Nairobi from your couch and explore the National Museums of Kenya through Google Arts & Culture.
Explore Kenya’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Take a Tour of the Nairobi Gallery, or Learn a Bit of Swahili, one of Kenya’s two official languages!

“David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence” – with the former CIA Director & 4* General

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

David Petraeus (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter, LinkedIn) to discuss his strategic analysis of the war in Ukraine. General Petraeus is a former Director of the CIA.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

General Petraeus’ appraisal of the situation in Ukraine
What victory would look like for each side
What role intelligence is playing in the War
General Petraeus’ time as Director of the CIA

Reflections

The power of narrative
Organizational culture

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

David Petraeus was CIA Director between September 2011 and November 2012, and prior to that had a 37-year career in the U.S. Army, rising to its highest rank of 4 star General. Are you curious to hear an in-depth strategic analysis of the Ukraine War from one of the most talented American officers of his generation? Would you like to know more about his time as CIA Director? Listen in to find out.

Quotes of the Week

"This is the first war with smartphones, internet connectivity, and social media, such as we see here. It was not present before. even really in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, certainly not to this scale. so that is a dramatic change…It also gives a degree of transparency to this war that I don't think has ever existed before." – David Petraeus.

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with Former Director Robert Gates (2022)

Beginner Resources

5 Things You Should Know About the War in Ukraine, UN Refugee Agency (2023) [Short article]
What Caused the Ukraine War?, J. S. Nye, Harvard Belfer Center (2022) [short article]
A History of Ukraine in 5 Minutes, Sky News (2014) [5 min video]
Putin’s War on Ukraine, Explained, Vox (2022) [8:48 min video]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023)
The New Makers of Modern Strategy, H. Brands et al. (Princeton University Press, 2023)

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine, S. Plokhy (Basic Books, 2017)

Primary Sources

Petraeus Testimony on U.S. Middle East Policy, Senate.gov (2015)
Petraeus Confirmation Hearings to be Director, CIA, Senate.gov (2011)
Petraeus Military Retirement Speech, American Rhetoric, YouTube (2011)
Petraeus Confirmation Hearing, ISAF and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, C-SPAN (2010)
The American Military and the Lessons of Vietnam, David Petraeus, DocumentCloud (1987) [Petraeus’ Ph.D. dissertation]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Wildcard Resource

General Petraeus was known for the counterinsurgency approach he implemented in Afghanistan and Iraq – sometimes called The Petraeus Doctrine.
You can implement your own counterinsurgency by playing a board game developed by former CIA analyst Volko Ruhnke - A Distant Plain: Insurgency in Afghanistan.

“America 3.0” – with Bill Britton of the California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI)

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Bill Britton (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) in a discussion about cybersecurity and cyber awareness. Bill is the Director of the California Cybersecurity Institute and CIO at Cal Poly.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How to better protect your online information
Why cybersecurity is more important now than ever
How Cal Poly is addressing cybersecurity challenges
The state of cyber in California and America

Reflections

Confronting our learned habits
Lifelong learning

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined in the studio by Bill Britton, Vice President of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer at Cal Poly, and the Director of the California Cybersecurity Institute. Bill joins us to discuss the work Cal Poly is doing to train, accelerate, and empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

And…

In 2011, Oprah Winfrey declared San Luis Obispo “America’s Happiest City,” and it’s no wonder why – the quiet city is nestled within a beautiful landscape surrounded by historic architecture, interesting landmarks, and over 250 vineyards. Erin and Andrew are rethinking their East coast lifestyles…

Quotes of the Week

“We're trying to establish a way that people think differently about what cyber really is and does for them, and how it can be an expediter of their abilities to have a job and do great things for not just themselves, but the nation at large.” – Bill Britton

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Indian Intelligence & Cyber with Sameer Patil of ORF Mumbai (2023)
Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)
Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with Aynne Kokas (2022)
Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization with Eric Escobar, Part 1 (2022)
Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization with Eric Escobar, Part 2 (2022)

Beginner Resources

CyberWire Word Notes, CyberWire (2023) [Audio glossary]
What is Cybersecurity?, CISA (2021) [Short article]
Cybersecurity in 7 minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [7 min video]

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Cyberweapons Arms Race, N. Perloth (Bloomsbury, 2021)
Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World, J. Menn (Public Affairs, 2019)
The Art of Invisibility, K. Mitnick (Little, Brown, and Company, 2017)
Ghost In The Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker, K. Mitnick & W. L. Simon (Little, Brown, and Company, 2011)

Primary Sources

Cybersecurity Case Library, Vol. 1, California Cybersecurity Institute (2021)
NASA’s Cybersecurity Readiness, NASA (2021)
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, US Congress (1986)

Wildcard Resource

Defend the Crown (2021)
A computer game for all ages that teaches the basics of cybersecurity, through the defense of your virtual castle from cyber ninjas!

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

"The Gambling Capital of the World: Intelligence, Las Vegas Style!" – with James Lockhart and Keith Michaels

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Keith Michaels (LinkedIn) and James Lockhart (LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence in an unlikely place: Casinos! James and Keith have collectively over 30 years of experience within Las Vegas gaming surveillance.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How casinos conduct surveillance
Collaboration between casinos and intelligence organizations
The mob origins of Las Vegas
Nation-state intelligence threats in casinos

Reflections

It’s just the luck of the draw…or is it?
Playing your cards right

And much, much more …

FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew is joined by Keith Michaels and James Lockhart on a journey into the secret underbelly of the “Gambling Capital of the World,” Las Vegas. How do casinos conduct surveillance, and what prompted them to adopt formal surveillance operations? Tune in to find out.

Quotes of the Week

“Casino operations are venues for intelligence activity, not just for the low-level criminal or the higher-level criminal, but also nation states … You know, we're only catching about 35% of what's going on. There's a lot of cash moving around very fast. A lot of people coming in and out in a casino. So, the possibilities are kind of endless.” – James Lockhart.

FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 1 (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 2 (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)
Baseball and Espionage with Ryan Zimmerman and Marc Polymeropoulos (2022)
Dealing with Russia: A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)

Beginner Resources

A Brief History of Las Vegas, T. Lambert, Local Histories (2021) [Short Article]
A Brief History of Gambling, R. Cormack, Medium (2018] [Short Article]
How to Play Baccarat, WikiHow (2020) [Short Video]

FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Casino: The Rise and Fall of the Mob in Las Vegas, N. Pileggi (Ebury Press, 2015)
Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling, D. G. Schwartz (Winchester Books, 2013)
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, B. Mezrich (Free Press, 2002)
Casino Royale, I. Fleming (Jonathan Cape, 1953)

Primary Sources

Federal Special Agent Pleads Guilty To Gambling With Government Funds, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada (2022)
Surveillance Standards for Nonrestricted Licensees, Nevada Gaming (2005)
Gaming probers sue CIA, CIA (1979)
How U.S. Made Unholy Alliance with the Mafia, CIA (1975)
Bugsy Siegel Collection, FBI (n.d.)

Wildcard Resource

In 1983, William Casey, then Director of the CIA, was invited to the Recording Industry Cultural Award Dinner. Luckily for him, Kenny Rogers was the featured performer of the night. He probably played “The Gambler,” a song that Erin thinks is a spot-on analogy for the Intelligence Cycle. You’ve got to know when hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em … Know when to walk to away, and know when to run.

FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE

“China’s Corporate Spy War” – with CNBC’s Eamon Javers

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Eamon Javers (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter, LinkedIn) to discuss China’s Corporate Spy War. Eamon is the Senior Washington correspondent at CNBC.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Why go after corporate secrets?
What’s at stake for the United States
The case of Yanjun Xu and GE Aviation
Military implications of economic espionage

Reflections

The innovation nation
Simple twists of fate

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, Andrew is joined by CNBC’s Senior Washington Correspondent Eamon Javers to discuss his new documentary, China’s Corporate Spy War.

Quotes of the Week

“I don't think people in corporate America knew that, fully understood the scale of the threat. They thought this was kind of an annoyance like shoplifting is, and that you kind of just build in some procedures and there's some sunk costs associated with that, and you move on. What these intelligence guys were describing was an entirely different threat. This was the elimination of major American brands from the global marketplace.” - Eamon Javers.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2023)
The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 1 (2022)
The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 2 (2022)
Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)

Beginner Resources

What is Corporate Espionage?, A. T. Tunggal, UpGuard (2023) [Article]
Timeline: U.S.-China Relations, Council on Foreign Relations (n.d.) [Timeline]
A Tale of High Stakes Corporate Espionage, Bloomberg (2023) [7:44 video]

***FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE***

DEEPER DIVE

Books

SPIES: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, C. Walton (Simon & Schuster, 2023)
The Scientist and the Spy: A True Story of China, the FBI, and Industrial Espionage, M. Hvistendahl (Riverhead Books, 2020)
To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. Olson (GUP, 2019)
Broker, Trader, Lawyer, Spy: The Secret World of Corporate Espionage, E. Javers (HarperCollins, 2010)

Primary Sources

A Survey of Reported Chinese Espionage, 2000 to the Present, CSIS (2023)
Justice Department Announces Five Cases as Part of Recently Launched Disruptive Technology Strike Force, U.S. Department of Justice (2023)
Chinese Government Intelligence Officer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Espionage Crimes, Attempting to Steal Trade Secrets From Cincinnati Company, U.S. Department of Justice (2022)
Executive Summary - China: The Risk to Corporate America, FBI (2019)
Economic Espionage Act (1996)

Wildcard Resource

The Second Letter from Père d’Entrecolles to Father Orry (1722)
The art of porcelain making and selling was mastered under the Qing Dynasty. The West got curious and knew the form of pottery could be profitable to produce on their own. Because of the secrets shared by this Jesuit priest, China’s monopoly on porcelain production quickly toppled and the practice was spread across Europe.

FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE

“The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall” – with Director Steve James

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Steve James (IMDb) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new film, A Compassionate Spy. 18-year-old Ted Hall was the youngest physicist working on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Soviet-American relations during WWII
The Manhattan Project and the development of the Atomic Bomb
Motivations for atomic espionage
The life and story of Theodore Hall

Reflections

With great power … comes great responsibility
State allegiance vs. personal conscience

And much, much more

And…

Steve James has been nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Documentary Feature in 2018 for Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, and Best Film Editing in 1995 for Hoop Dreams. Steve is the first Oscar nominee to join us on SpyCast since Robert de Niro sat down with our first host Peter Earnest in 2009!

Quotes of the Week

“Ted was young and naive in some ways, but his reasons for what he did were not grounded in fantasy … Whether you support what he did or not, I don't know that the U. S. having the bomb all to itself would have been a great thing, given that we are the only nation to have actually dropped the bomb on anyone, period.” – Steve James.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Headline Resource

A Compassionate Spy, Steve James, Magnolia Pictures (2022)
Available in select theaters and streaming on August 4th

SpyCasts

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)
The Nuclear Doomsday Machine with Sean Maloney on Cold War Emergency Plans (2022)

Beginner Resources

What Was the Manhattan Project?, T. Metcalfe, Scientific American (2023) [Article]
U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Control (1949-2021), Council on Foreign Relations (n.d.) [Timeline]
Theodore Hall: American-born physicist and spy, Encyclopaedia Britannica (n.d.) [Encyclopedia entry]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Sleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away, A. Hagedorn (Simon & Schuster, 2021)
The Manhattan Project: The Birth of the Atomic Bomb in the Words of Its Creators, Eyewitnesses, and Historians, C. C. Kelly (Black Dog & Leventhal, 2020)
Atomic Spy: The Dark Lives of Klaus Fuchs, N. T. Greenspan (Penguin Books, 2020)
Bombshell: The Secret Story of America’s Unknown Atomic Spy Conspiracy, J. Albright & M. Kunstel (Times Books, 1997)

Video

Modern Marvels: The Manhattan Project, The History Channel, YouTube (2020)
Science Behind the Atom Bomb, Nuclear Museum, Atomic Heritage Foundation (2013)

Primary Sources

Report by the Ad Hoc Committee to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “Evaluation of Effect on Soviet War Effort Resulting from the Strategic Air Offensive,” National Security Archive (1949)
The Evaluation of the Atomic Bomb as a Military Weapon, Harry Truman Presidential Library (1947)
A Petition to the President of the United States from Los Alamos Scientists, Harry Truman Presidential Library (1945)
Albert Einstein to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman Presidential Library (1945)
Decision to Maintain Contact with Theodore Hall, National Security Agency (1944)

Wildcard Resource

The development of nuclear weapons not only had a massive impact on history and science – It also inspired new architectural designs and art. Read this Architectural Digest article on the Atomic Age Design and why our brains still register it as “futuristic” 75 years later!

"Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy" – with Michael Vickers

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Michael Vickers (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his remarkable career and memoir. He was formerly the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His specialized training to wear a “Nuclear Backpack” (yes, literally!)
Overseeing a multibillion-dollar CIA covert action program against the Soviets
Planning the Osama Bin Laden raid
Retooling defense intelligence for the 21st century

Reflections

Finding a narrative that unites the various chapters of your life
Serving a country vs. serving a political party

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

Michael Vickers has been on a heck of a ride. He started out as a U.S. Army private with no degree and went on to oversee hundreds of thousands of people as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence while holding a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins. Michael is the author of By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operation & Strategy.

Quotes of the Week

"That weapon was called the Special Atomic Demolition Munition [i.e., “Nuclear Backpack] ...it was a sporty, uh, you know, it seemed like a good idea when I was 23 years old. So, there you have it." – Michael Vickers.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

“The Nuclear Doomsday Machine” – with Sean Maloney (2022_
“The Spies Who Came in From the Cold” - Chris Costa and John Quattrocki (2022)
“The Spymaster’s Prism” – CIA Legend Jack Devine (2021)
“Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service” – Hank Crumpton (2012)
“The CIA and the End of the Cold War” – Milt Bearden (2011)

Beginner Resources

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, Homeschool History (2022) [2:25 min video]
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023) [3-minute read]
The Operation That Took Out Osama Bin Laden, Military.com (2023) [3-minute read]
The Plan to Get Osama, ABC News (2012) [6:44 min video]

DEEPER DIVE

Video

The End of a Superpower - The Collapse of the Soviet Union, DW Documentaries (2022)
Manhunt: The Search for Osma bin Laden, HBO (2013)
Afghanistan 1979, the War that Changed the World, Gulya Mirzoeva, Icarus Films (2015)
Red Star Over Khyber, PBS Frontline (1984)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

A Distant Plain: Counter-insurgency Afghanistan: Government, Coalition, Taliban and Warlords compete (2013)
Play this board game developed by former guest and former World Board Game Champion, Volko Ruhnke,

“Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd” – with Jorhena Thomas

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jorhena Thomas (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her career as an analyst and passion for intelligence education. Jorhena spent 8 years in the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What makes a great analyst
Her thoughts on the “Intelligence Cycle”
The Robert Levinson case
How the FBI adapted after 9/11

Reflections

Teamwork and collaboration
The importance of education

Episode Notes

Andrew is joined by Jorhena Thomas: educator, mentor, and analysis extraordinaire. It was a pleasure to have Jorhena in the studio to discuss to her career, which began at the Federal Bureau of Investigation where she served as an intelligence analyst for 8 years. She moved on to work at the Washington D.C. Fusion Center, the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor’s Office, and in private consulting. She currently lectures at both American University and Georgetown University, and serves as the Director of Mentorship and Professional Advancement at Girl Security.

And…

Women make up 59% (more than half!) of the FBI’s Intelligence Analysis workforce. This has come along way since the first female FBI special agents, Joanna Pierce Misko and Susan Roley Malone, were hired in 1972. However, the work is not done. SpyCast is proud to highlight Jorhena’s work with Girl Security, supporting, mentoring, and training the next generations of women in intelligence.

Quotes of the Week

“All my time with the FBI really gave me an appreciation for partnerships, and understanding everyone has a role to play. And if you respect what they do and they respect what you do, then you can really get some good work done. And I think sometimes people look down on others who don't do what they do. And my attitude is, if they did what you do, then you don't need to be here” – Jorhena Thomas

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
SPY CHIEFS: From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 1 of 2) (2022)
SPY CHIEFS: From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 2 of 2) (2022)
My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent with Kathy Stearman (2021)
Special Operations, FBI, NSC, et al – Serial Collaborator Karen Schaefer (2021)

Beginner Resources

What is Intelligence Analysis and Why is It So Important?, National American University (2020) [Short article]
FBI Field Intelligence Groups and Fusion Centers, Department of Homeland Security (n.d.) [Fact sheet]
What is The Intelligence Cycle?, SOCRadar (2022) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

How Spies Think: Ten Lessons in Intelligence, D. Omand (Penguin, 2020)
Psychology of Intelligence Analysis, R. J. Heuer (Echo Point, 2017)
Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis & National Security, T. Fingar (SUP, 2011)
The FBI: A History, R. Jefferys-Jones (Yale, 2007)

Articles

How to Think Like an Intelligence Analyst, Z. T. Brown, Medium (2021)
9/11 and the Reinvention of the Us Intelligence Community, E. Kamarck, The Brooking Institution (2021)
No body, no burial, no peace for Iran hostage Bob Levinson's family, J. G. Meek & C. Finnegan, ABC News (2021)
Getting from Awareness to Action on Disinformation, J. Thomas, The Cipher Brief (2020)
Tabletop Exercises to Combat Disinformation, J. Thomas, Medium (2020)
How the FBI Reinvented Itself After 9/11, C. Nobel, Harvard Business School (2016)

Video

Adding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to National and Homeland Security, Education, Intelligence, and Fusion Centers (2023)
Women FBI Agents: In Their Own Words, FBI (2012)

Primary Sources

FBI Washington Field Office Statement on the 16th Anniversary of the Abduction of Robert A. Levinson, FBI Washington (2023)
The Internal Effects of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Reprioritization, Office of the Inspector General (2004)
United States Patriot Act (2001)

“The Kneeling Man” – with Leta McCollough Seletsky

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Leta McCollough Seletsky (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to share the story of her father, the famous “Kneeling Man” – The man knelt next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his assassination at the Lorraine Motel in 1968. Leta is a litigator turned essayist and memoirist.

Nominate SpyCast for a People’s Choice Podcast Award HERE!

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The life and times of Marrell “Mac” McCollough
The CIA connection between father and daughter
Black power and the counterintelligence program (or, COINTELPRO)
The conspiracies surrounding Dr. King’s assassination

Reflections

Coming to terms with the past … and present
Small but important steps of progress

And much, much more …

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Headline Resource

The Kneeling Man: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Leta McCollough Seletsky (Counterpoint, 2023)

SpyCasts

The Counterintelligence Chief with Alan Kohler (2023)
The Third Option – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 1 (2022)
The Third Option – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 2 (2022)
The Birth of American Propaganda with John Hamilton (2021)
Juneteenth Special: African-American Spies (2021)

Beginner Resources

“I Am A Man” Dr. King and The Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike, M. Gailani, Tennessee State Museum (2020) [Short brief]
Martin Luther King Jr., The Nobel Prize (n.d.) [Biography]
COINTELPRO: United States Government Program, N. Frederique, Encyclopaedia Britannica (n.d.) [Short article]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr., P. E. Joseph (Basic Books, 2021)
An Unseen Light: Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee, A. Goudsouzian, C. W. McKinney, et al. (The University Press of Kentucky, 2018)
The Heavens Might Crack: The Death and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., J. Sokol (Basic Books, 2018)
The COINTELPRO Papers: Documents from the FBI's Secret Wars Against Dissent in the United States, W. Churchill & J. V. Wall (South End Press, 2001)

Primary Sources

The King v. Jowers Trial Findings, U.S. Department of Justice (1999)
Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, United States Senate (1976)
Report from Vietnam, Walter Cronkite (1968)
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” Speech, Martin Luther King Jr., AFSCME (1968)
"Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" Speech, Martin Luther King Jr., American Rhetoric (1967)
COINTELPRO Records Collection, FBI Records: The Vault (n.d)

From the Vault: “Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. From the SpyCast Field of Dreams.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Sign-stealing and codebreaking
Glue guys and teamwork
Ethics in baseball and espionage
Clutch and pinch hitters in espionage and baseball

Reflections

Daring to fail
Stepping up to the plate of life

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack. Few things in the world compare to sitting back, putting your feet up, and cracking open a cold one while watching the World Series.

For the 2021 World Series Marc joined us for a fantastic discussion on the links between baseball and espionage. How do we top that? A baseball fanatic ex-CIA officer?

Why, how about getting a first-round draft pick, World Series Champion with over 6500 at-bats? Done! Enter Ryan Zimmerman, Mr. National!

Ever wondered about signs-stealing, how to run a baseball counterintelligence operation, or what some of the many, many links are between baseball and espionage? You’ve come to the right place for a discussion that goes to the bottom of the ninth inning over a two-episode conversation.

Ryan played for the Nationals from 2005, when he was a first-round draft pick, through to 2021, when his #11 jersey was retired. He is an ex- All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner, and 2019 World Series Champion.

Marc is a highly decorated former CIA operations officer who specialized in counterterrorism, the Middle East, and South Asia. Prior to his retirement, he served at CIA headquarters in charge of clandestine operations in Europe and Eurasia. He is the author of the 2021 book, “Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA.”

And…

“Big Data” is upending many fields, not least baseball and espionage. Gaining a competitive edge is central to both activities, the big argument is about how much “soul” is lost along the way. The Houston Astros have been a lighting-rod team, whose “smart and modern” or “cold and cynical” approach has been discussed at Penn's Wharton School of Business and in the pages of the Harvard Business Review.

Quotes of the Week

"I think “Dare to Fail” is enormous. I would want you to put me up at the bases load in the bottom of the ninth. I'll take it every single time. Even if I feel like I have zero chance, I want to be there." - Ryan Zimmerman

"You know, you have to have that mentality in these professions." - Marc Polymeropoulos

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Moneyball, M. Lewis (W.W. Norton, 2004)
Love it or hate it, this is the first port of call for any reckoning of baseball and analytics.

SpyCasts

“Baseball & Espionage” – with Marc Polymeropoulos (2021)

Beginner Resources

Spy Agencies Struggling in Age of Big Data, A. Zegart, Wired (2022) [article]
Baseball Analytics for the Casual Fan, Simple Sabermetrics (2020) [7 min video]
Beginners Guide to Baseball Analytics, N. Allen, Fansided (2018) [article]
Best Baseball Analytics Resources, Simple Sabermetrics (2022)

Books

Spies, Lies and Algorithms, A. Zegart (PUP, 2022)
The Catcher Was a Spy: Moe Berg, N. Dawidoff (Pantheon, 1994)

Articles

Baseball and Cybersecurity, S. Handler, Atlantic Council (2020)
Baseball’s Rude Welcome to Age of Cyberespionage, N. Paine, 538 (2015)
The Man Who Remade Basketball, M. McCluskey, Wired (2014)
Baseball on Exhibit: Musuems in the SABR Era, Z. Jendro, SABR (2011)

Video

Lessons from the CIA’s Analytic Front-Lines, B. Pease, JHU (2022)
Sabermetrics 101: Baseball Analytics, A. Andres, Talks at Google (2016)
CIA’s Chief Information Officer - Advanced Analytics, D. Wolfe, O’Reilly (2015)

Primary Sources

The PC Goes to Bat (1984)

Wildcard Resource

Get “Analytics Certification” from the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) - which is where the term “sabermetrics” comes from!

"Venice’s Secret Service" – with Ioanna Iordanou

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ioanna Iordanou (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Venice’s Secret Service. Her research on “centralized intelligence” during the Italian Renaissance has secured her two entries in Guiness World Records!

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The origins of centralized intelligence
“The Council of Ten” - Venice’s spy chiefs
“The Inquisitors of the State” - Venice’s counterintelligence body
Venetian power in the Eastern Mediterranean

Reflections

The rise and fall of empires
The relationship between geography and power

And much, much more …

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Quotes of the Week

“Considering some of the most significant challenges we face right now, such as disease, we just got over a global pandemic or migration or trade or climate change or cybersecurity, all these issues do not stop at the borders like any early modern spies, they cross borders. So even reflecting on how people dealt with these things in the past might help us make better political, social, economic decisions.” – Ioanna Iordanou.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*Headline Resource

Venice’s Secret Service: Organizing Intelligence in the Renaissance, Ioanna Iordanou (Oxford University Press, 2014)

SpyCasts

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy with Alexander Rose (2023)
Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)

Beginner Resources

A Brief Overview of Renaissance History, Art in Context (2023) [Short article]
Profile of a City: Venice, Renaissance Italy (2012) [Short article]
Brief History of the Renaissance in 5 Minutes, 5 Minutes (2022) [YouTube video]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Inventing the World: Venice and the Transformation of Western Civilization, M. F. Small (Pegasus Books, 2020)
City of Fortune: How Venice Ruled the Seas, R. Crowley (Random House, 2013)
A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance, W. Manchester (Little, Brown and Company, 1993)

Primary Sources

The Life and Letters of Sir Henry Wotton, Internet Archive (1907)
The de’Barbari Map (View of Venice), Cartography Venice Project Center (1500)
Letter of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini to Lord Cardinal Firmanus, Carleton College (1453)
The Shorter Annals of Venice, Carleton College (ca. 13th century)

Primary Collections

Venetian Diplomatic Agents in England, British History Online (1202-1509)

Wildcard Resource

Browse the art of Titian, an artist whose work was used as a form of payment for spies and intelligence gatherers in Venice. Not a bad paycheck!

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

"The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

This week on SpyCast, Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) is joined by former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo. This is the first time Dr. Kim has stepped out from the shadows to speak.

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The organizational structure of North Korean intelligence
The journey of a defector
The training and skills needed to be a DPRK agent
North Korean intelligence priorities in the East

Reflections

Bravery and courage in the face of danger
State conformity vs. Personal convictions

And much, much more …

Quote of the Week

“When I envision reunification, I am envisioning reunified Korea under a liberal democratic system as opposed to say, unified Korea under a more North Korean system – That I oppose. My desire is that in a unified Korea, even North Korean populous or population living in northern parts of the Korean Peninsula will be guaranteed fundamental, standard rights as humans.” – Agent Kim, Hyun Woo.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist with Dexter Ingram (2022)
Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)

Beginner Resources

The Current Situation in North Korea, United States Institute for Peace (2022) [Fact sheet]
A Brief History of North Korea in 3 Minutes, G. Willson, New York Magazine (2017) [3 min. video]

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer’s Insights, J. H. Pak (Ballantine Books, 2020)
The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future, V. Cha (Ecco, 2018)
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom, Y. Park (Penguin Books, 2015)
Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History, B. Cumings (W.W. Norton, 2005)

Primary Sources

Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un Delivers Speech at Military Parade, KCNA Watch (2020)
Key Issue Paper for Secretary of State-designate Madeleine Albright, Subject: Korean Peninsula Issues, National Security Archive (1994)
China: Potential Response to Korean Contingencies, DIA Special Report, National Security Archive (1994)
DPRK: Slow-Motion Succession: the Secretary’s Morning Intelligence Summary, National Security Archive (1994)
Protocol for the Phased Withdrawal of Troops (First Draft), Wilson Center (1954)
Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea, US Forces Korea (1953)
Statement by President Syngman Rhee, Wilson Center (1953)
Congratulatory Message [from Mao Zedong] to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, Wilson Center (1953)
Telegram from Stalin to Mao Zedong, Wilson Center (1952)
Cable Nos. 408-410, Shtykov to Vyshinsky, Wilson Center (1950)
Statement by the President, Truman on Korea, Wilson Center (1950)

Wildcard Resource

Inspired by Dr. Kim’s love for Sherlock Holmes:
His Last Bow is the last chronological short story installment of the Sherlock Holmes series. In this story, Sherlock tracks down a German spy during the First World War!

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

“Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West” – with Calder Walton

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Calder Walton (Website, Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the 100-year intelligence war between the United States and Russia. Calder is the author of the new book, SPIES.

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The epic clash of intelligence systems
Russia’s assassination program then and now
The roots of Putinism
China as “the Soviet Union on steroids”

Reflections

Cold War 2.0
Could it have been otherwise?

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

My conclusion, unfortunately, Andrew, is that looking at this large sweep of history that we have, not so much a Putin problem today, but a Russia problem. And the Russia problem has been persistent over a hundred years, which is why it makes me very cautious about speculation … Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Putin and the people he surrounds himself with in the Kremlin are all cut from this very similar cloth as he is.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Headline Resource

SPIES: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, Calder Walton (Simon & Schuster, 2023)

SpyCasts

Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)
The Spies Who Came in From the Cold with Chris Costa and John Quattrocki at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago (2022)
Dealing with Russia with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)
CIA Legend Jack Devine on Countering Russian Aggression (2012)

Beginner Resources

Putin’s Revisionist History of Russia and Ukraine, I. Chotiner, New Yorker (2022) [Short article]
Has Putin's war failed and what does Russia want?, P. Kirby, BBC (2023) [Short article]
The Cold War Explained in 15 Minutes, YouTube (2021) [15 min. video]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

DEEPER DIVE

Books

Russian Intelligence, K. Riehle (NIU, 2022)
Putin’s People, C. Belton (William Collins, 2021)
Between Two Fires, J. Yaffa (Duggan Books, 2020)
The New Cold War, E. Lucas (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2014)

Primary Sources

The Putin Files, CBS (n.d.)
Memorandum of Conversations (Rise of Putin)
Clinton with Putin (2000)
Clinton with Putin (2000)
Clinton with Yeltsin (1999)
Clinton with Yeltsin (1999)
Clinton with Putin (1999)
Madelaine Albright with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov (1999)
Clinton with Putin (1999)
Clinton with Yeltsin (1999)

Oral Histories

U.S. Ambassadors to Moscow
John Huntsman (2017-2019)
John F. Tefft (2014-2017)
Michael McFaul (2012-2014)
John Beryle (2008-2012)
Alexander Vershbow (2001-2005)
James F. Collins (1997-2001)
Thomas R. Pickering (1993-1996)
Jack F. Matlock (1987-1991)

Wildcard Resource

Putin Strikes: The Coming War for Eastern Europe
A two-player board game where one commands the Kremlin’s forces and the other an international polyglot force. Trippy or what?

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” – with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Cory Graff (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter, LinkedIn) to discuss the D-Day deception operation to mask the landings at Normandy. Cory is a Curator at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Deception tactics used by the Allies
The core deception operations BODYGUARD and FORTITUDE
The German secret agents who became British “double agents”
The “Ghost Army” and General Patton’s fictitious First U.S. Army Group
Intelligence in the World War II Museum

Reflections

Appearance and intention
The essential unknowability of the world

And much, much more …

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Quotes of the Week

“During the evenings, French Resistance is taking over and blowing up train tracks and sort of funneling people this way. And that's another thing to talk about when we talk about D-Day is, intelligence was gained from French citizens beforehand. And the night of the 5th & 6th, we witnessed something like a thousand points of sabotage within the area directed at the Germans.” – Cory Graff on the French Resistance’s contribution to D-Day

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Andrew’s Recommendation

The D-Day episode of the landmark documentary The World at War (“Morning: June-August 1944 (Ep. 17 of 26)”)

SpyCasts

St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)
Nazis on the Potomac with former National Park Service Chief Historian Bob Sutton (2022)
The Nuclear Doomsday Machine – with Sean Maloney on Cold War Emergency Plans (2022)

Beginner Resources

Here’s what happened on D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion ever undertaken, CNN (2021) [1 min. video]
When and How Did World War II End?, R. Wilde, ThoughtCo (2020 [Short article]
The 10 Things You Need to Know about D-Day, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [10 quick facts]

DEEPER DIVE

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Primary Sources

General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day, National Archives (1944)
In Case of Failure Message from Gen. Eisenhower, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1944)
Overlord – Anvil Papers, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1944)
Report of the 82nd Airborne Division, “Operation Neptune”, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1944)
Neptune Monograph, The D-Day Story Museum (1944)

Wildcard Resource

The crossword panic of 1944!
In the run up to D-Day important codenames such as “Omaha,” “Overlord,” “Mulberry,” and “Neptune,” appeared in the Daily Telegraph newspaper crossword puzzle. Was someone signaling the Allies plans to the Germans? We don’t think so...but one possible explanation involves loose-lipped soldiers, a WWI veteran schoolteacher, and some naughty schoolboys!

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

From the Vault: “El Chapo, the War on Drugs & Intelligence” – with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz

Tue, 30 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Noah Hurowitz (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss infamous drug kingpin El Chapo. A weak link in his cybersecurity set-up would help bring him down.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

El Chapo’s internal surveillance operation
The cartel’s use of cryptography to keep communications covert
How cybersecurity enabled then brought down El Chapo
The role of the infamous DFS – a corrupt and now disbanded intelligence agency

Reflections

Technology – early adopters vs. counter responders
The changing nature of crime enabled by emerging technologies – spyware, drones, etc.

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, aka El Chapo (shorty) because of his 5-foot 6-inch frame, was called by one of the agents chasing him, “the godfather of the drug world.” So, how did a low-level drug dealer from a provincial state rise to try and subvert the Mexican government to his will? What was the intelligence game that played out with regards to El Chapo? How did the cartels use spytech, tradecraft and cybersecurity to stay one step ahead of the law? How was he caught?

To answer these questions and more, Andrew sat down with Noah Horowitz who covered the trial of El Chapo in Brooklyn for Rolling Stone magazine. Noah is also the author of the recent book El Chapo, and his work has appeared in the Village Voice, the Baffler and New York Magazine.

And…

In the El Chapo trial, question No.57 asked prospective jurors, “Are you familiar with Jesus Malverde?” If you are not familiar with this angel of the poor (el ángel de los pobres) as well as the Sinaloan narcos (el narcosantón), then you can find out why this question would be relevant here, here, here and here.

Quote of the Week

"So, in addition to encrypted communications…he was also installing spyware on Blackberry devices that El Chapo was giving out to his lieutenants and his girlfriends and his wives. And then EL Chapo was able to use this, the spyware program to see what was on their phones. He was able to see their text messages. He was able to see their locations. He was even able to remotely activate their mic and listen to them. And he loved that…it was like a toy to him almost. He became obsessed with it." – Noah Hurowitz

Resources

Headline Resource

El Chapo, N. Hurowitz (S&S, 2021)

SpyCasts

Drug Cartels, Sleeper Cells, the Waco Siege & the Mob - Dennis Franks (2021)

Books

Dope: History of the Mexican Drug Trade, B. Smith (W.W. Norton, 2021)
Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs & Cartels, I. Grillo (Bloomsbury, 2021)

Articles

Drugs, Crime and the Cartels, CFR (2021)
The Tech that Took Down Pablo Escobar, Wired (2021)
Mexican Cartels Cyber Surveillance, C. Schilis-Gallego, Forbidden Stories (2020)
Spy vs. Spy, El Chapo Edition, E. Groll, FP (2019)
The Spyware that Brought Down El Chapo, S. Fussell, The Atlantic (2019)

Websites

El Paso Intelligence Project (EPIC)
Centro Nacional De Intelligencia (CNI)

PBR (Projects, Briefs, Reports)

Mexico: Evolution of the Merida Initiative, C. Seelke, CRS (2021)
Mexico Organized Crime and Drug Traffickers, J. Beittel, CRS (2020)

Primary Sources

Primary Source Collections

The Mexican Intelligence Digital Archives (MIDAS)
Inside The Cartel: Key Documents (LAT)

Wildcard Resource

“The Original Indigenous People of Sinaloa”
To understand Joaquín Guzmán Loera, starting at the year of his birth, 1957, might be enough; but to understand “El Chapo” it might help to go deeper still…

“70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 23 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Bond vs. Real Life Spies
The birth of James Bond
Ian Fleming’s intelligence past
Bond and MI6

Reflections

What makes a character timeless?
Pop culture mirroring real life

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

Quotes of the Week

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCast’s

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
Secrets Revealed with Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
CIA Officers Turned Authors with David McCloskey and James Stejskal (2022)
The Spy of the Century with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)

Beginner Resources

MI6 History & Facts, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022) [Brief history of MI6]
The Evolution of James Bond, Fandom Entertainment, YouTube (2021) [15 min. video]
Ian Fleming, Famous Authors (n.d.) [Short biography]

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Primary Sources

Primos Bionic Eye, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
James Bond’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
007 Fragrance Commercial, YouTube (1965)
James Bond Action Pak Toy Commercial, American Character, YouTube (1964)
Aston Martin DB5, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1964)
The Zimmermann Telegram, National Archives (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Everyone has a favorite James Bond theme song. If you just can’t choose just one, check out The Ultimate James Bond Medley – A production from Alchemistic Records featuring all 25 Bond songs.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

“70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 16 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Bond vs. Real Life Spies
The birth of James Bond
Ian Fleming’s intelligence past
Bond and MI6

Reflections

What makes a character timeless?
Pop culture mirroring real life

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

Quotes of the Week

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCast’s

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
Secrets Revealed with Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
CIA Officers Turned Authors with David McCloskey and James Stejskal (2022)
The Spy of the Century with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022)

Beginner Resources

MI6 History & Facts, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022) [Brief history of MI6]
The Evolution of James Bond, Fandom Entertainment, YouTube (2021) [15 min. video]
Ian Fleming, Famous Authors (n.d.) [Short biography]

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Primary Sources

Primos Bionic Eye, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
James Bond’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)
007 Fragrance Commercial, YouTube (1965)
James Bond Action Pak Toy Commercial, American Character, YouTube (1964)
Aston Martin DB5, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1964)
The Zimmermann Telegram, National Archives (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Everyone has a favorite James Bond theme song. If you just can’t choose just one, check out The Ultimate James Bond Medley – A production from Alchemistic Records featuring all 25 Bond songs.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

“St. Ermin’s Hotel, London” – The History of a Legendary Spy Site, with Stephen Duffy

Tue, 09 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Stephen Duffy (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the spy stories of St. Ermin’s Hotel in London. It includes links to SOE, MI6, Ian Fleming, and the Cambridge 5.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The origins of the SOE
MI6 and the SOE in the hotel during WWII (bad neighbors!)
Incredible female spies of WWII
St. Ermin’s Cambridge Five connection
The history of the hotel

Reflections

The stories a hotel could tell if it could talk
Proximity to power

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Episode Notes

During World War II, the hotel was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive – a crucial element in his initiative to “set Europe ablaze.” Notorious spies Kim Philby and Donald Maclean were known to enjoy a drink at the hotel bar while sharing secrets with their Soviet handlers. And that’s not all – to learn the rest, you’ll have to listen to the episode.

Quotes of the Week

“That’s where Burgess, MacLean, and Philby at different times met their Russian handlers in plain sight and sat there and spoke normally. Didn't talk out the side of their mouths, didn't have red carnations and copies of the Financial Times under their arm. They just passed over their information, their paperwork or whatever, in plain sight to everybody.” – Stephen Duffy.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)
Nazis on the Potomac – with former National Park Service Chief Historian Bob Sutton (2022)
SPY@20: The Spy of the Century – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
The Beverly Hills Spy – with The Hollywood Reporter’s Seth Abramovitch (2022)

Beginner Resources

MI6 History & Facts, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022) [Brief history of MI6]
World War 2 Chronology, B. Johnson, Historic UK (n.d.) [Timeline of Britain in WWII]
How Churchill Led Britain to Victory in the Second World War, J. Taylor, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
The St. Ermin’s Autobiography, St. Ermin’s Hotel (n.d.) [Pamphlet]

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Primary Sources

File Release: Cold War Cambridge spies Burgess and Maclean, UK National Archives (2015)
Alexander Simitch Stevens Oral History, Imperial War Museum (1992)
Basil Davison Oral History, Imperial War Museum (1988)
My Silent War, K. Philby (1967)
SOE Training Advice on Disguise, UK National Archives (n.d.)

Wildcard Resource

The cocktail menu at St. Ermin’s Caxton Bar features a number of spy-related references, including Bond’s signature drink. To learn more about this “shaken, not stirred” beverage, check out this article for a brief history of the Vesper Martini.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler

Tue, 02 May 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

David Cattler (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss NATO’s intelligence response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. David currently serves as NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Intelligence & NATO
NATO’s response to the war in Ukraine
How NATO is adapting to evolving technologies
NATO’s purpose and mission

Reflections

Support and trust between nations
Global collaboration

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

Last February, SpyCast brought you an episode featuring David Cattler, focused on his role as NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security. Only a few weeks after that episode was published, Russia invaded the Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, catalyzing the first war on European soil since World War II. Only three weeks ago, NATO gained their newest member of the alliance, Finland, with the hopes of ratifying Sweden’s membership soon.

This week, we bring David back on to discuss how his position has evolved and changed alongside the war in Ukraine, and how NATO is responding to the ongoing crisis. What impact does the inclusion of Finland (and hopefully Sweden) make on the European continent? Tune in to find out more.

And…

With Finland’s recent membership, NATO is currently comprised of 31 independent nations. Out of these 30, only one member state doesn’t have a standing army – Can you guess which? Hint: It’s Iceland!

Quotes of the Week

"It's not just about Ukraine. It really is about what kind of world we all want to live in. There are rules and the rules really do establish that nations of people have rights to be free. To make decisions for themselves, to be sovereign, to be safe within their own borders. To be free from harm and certainly free from being threatened in the way that we've seen here." – David Cattler.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)
Dealing with Russia with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)
NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security with David Cattler (2022)

Beginner Resources

What is NATO and why is Finland joining?, BBC News (2023) [Short article]
Russia-Ukraine Relations in 60 Seconds, CBC News (2022) [1 min. video]
The Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact | History, YouTube (2017) [3 min. video]

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

R. Kent Tiernan joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the seven-year covert operation to execute Mary Queen of Scots. Kent is the author of The Walsingham Gambit.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The spy plot to trap Mary, Queen of Scots
Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s spymaster
16th century intelligence tactics
The importance of recruiting agents from your opponent’s camp
The Denial and Deception Committee

Reflections

Religious conflict
Temperament and statecraft

And much, much more …

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode Notes

Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn, survived no less than 9 elaborate plots against her life. In an era of religious conflict and constant power struggles, it was perhaps more important than ever to run an effective intelligence service.

Guest Bio

R. Kent Tiernan previously served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, and an assistant professor of history at the United States Air Force Academy. Kent also served as the Vice Chairman and Staff Director of the Foreign Denial and Deception Committee before retiring in 2014 at the rank of Senior National Intelligence Service officer.

Quotes of the Week

Our analysts do a wonderful job, but it's very difficult for them because they're looking for continuity or congruity in the information, uh, in order to come up with an answer or a best evaluation of truth. Our job was looking for incongruities in the information. Uh, things that didn't make sense the other evidence was leaning one way, but then we'd get a bit of evidence, and it just didn't make sense to what we were seeing, uh, normally.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Featured Resource

The Walsingham Gambit: Deception, Entrapment, and Execution of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, R. Kent Tiernan (Lexington Books, 2022)

SpyCasts

The Denial and Deception Committee – with Bill Parquette
The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence - with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)
So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker? - with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021)
The Spymaster’s Prism - with CIA Legend Jack Devine (2021)

Beginner Resources

A beginner’s guide to the Babington Plot, M. Mayhew, The History Press (n.d.) [article]
Biography of Mary Queen of Scots, E. Castelow, Historic UK (n.d.) [article]
Queen Elizabeth I, B. Johnson, Historic UK (n.d.) [article]
Elizabeth I’s Problem with Religion, YouTube (2021) [5 min. video]

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Primary Sources

Drawing of Mary, Queen of Scots’ Execution by Robert Beale, British Library (1587)
Page of Ciphers Used by Mary Queen of Scots, UK National Archives (1586)
Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots in Sheffield Castle to Elizabeth I, British Library (1582)
Mary, Queen of Scots to Sir William Cecil, UK National Archives (1570)
Letter from Elizabeth I to Mary, Queen of Scots, British Library (1568)
Elizabeth I to Mary, Queen of Scots, UK National Archives (1567)

Wildcard Resource

Elizabeth I famously had a sweet tooth – A habit that would eventually cause her teeth to go black in an era of subpar dentistry. One of her favorite sugary treats was candied violets – A less popular snack nowadays, but just as tasty!

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

“Irregular Warfare & Intelligence” - with IWC Director Dennis Walters

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dr. Dennis Walters (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the Irregular Warfare Center and its ties to intelligence. Dennis is the current Acting Director of the IWC.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The need for an Irregular Warfare Center
The Irregular Warfare Center’s mission
What role intelligence plays in irregular war
Creating unique solutions for unique situations
How do intelligence and Special Operations blend together?

Reflections

Education as a strategic tool
Creative problem solving

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

This week on SpyCast, the IWC’s Acting Director Dr. Dennis Walters joins Andrew in a conversation about all thing's irregular warfare. What is irregular warfare, and how does it differ from conventional warfare? What is the mission of the IW Center, and what tools and tactics do they employ to accomplish this? Tune in to find out.

And…

Want to keep your enemies at bay, try an irregular approach – throw a “Scorpion Bomb” at them: yes, it is literally a glass jar filled with scorpions. The tactic was resurrected by ISIS.

Guest Bio

Dr. Dennis Walters is the acting Director of the Irregular Warfare Center. He served in the United States Army for 26 years, with time spent in the Army Intelligence Corps and in command of a Special Forces Operations Detachment in the Balkans. Upon his retirement from the Army, Dennis worked to build a network of irregular warfare experts that would culminate in the Department of Defense Regional Defense Fellowship Program. He has also instructed college courses on irregular warfare at the National Defense University and Regent University. He speaks fluent Russian.

Quotes of the Week

"It varies based on region, based on country, based on culture. And that's the part that we have not done well on the U.S. side, really factoring in all of those social implications of how you structure programs to make a country more stable, more resilient, more leaning towards the ideals that support a global community. That's the part that I think that we were missing in some cases." – Dr. Dennis Walters.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 1 (2022)
“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 2 (2022)
Al Qaeda, DOD & the 9/11 Commission with Bonnie Jenkins and Alexis Albion (2022)
Afghanistan, the Mujahedeen, Al Qaeda – My Time at CIA and State with Diana Bolsinger (2021)

Beginner Resources

Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict on Conventional War, ABC News (2022) [4:24 video]
What is Hybrid Warfare? GeoVane (2019) [3:57 video]
Maximizing the Potential of American Irregular War, C. Cleveland et al.,The Hill (2023) [op-ed]
Irregular Warfare, D.Safire, New York Times (2008)

“Havana Syndrome” – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

This week’s episode is the result of a collaboration with The Sound, a recent limited series podcast exploring the so-called Havana Syndrome. The guests are host and investigative journalist Nicky Woolf (Twitter), former senior CIA operations officer and sufferer Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter), and attorney and advocate Mark Zaid (Twitter).

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What Havana Syndrome is
Who it is affecting
Theories to explain it
The role of intelligence organizations

Reflections

The unending search for truth
Humanity in the intelligence field

Quotes of the Week

"There’s a betrayal I felt when the CIA didn't give me the medical attention that I needed. You know, if you're not feeling well and an employee comes to you, send 'em to the doctor. And they weren't able to do that. And to me, that's just a leadership fail for the ages." – Marc Polymeropoulos.

Resources

SpyCasts

The Past 75 Years: A History of the CIA with Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)
Dealing with Russia with Jim Olson (2022)
One of the CIA’s Most Decorated Field Officers with Marc Polymeropoulos (2021)
NatSec and the Law with Mark Zaid (2018)

Beginner Resources

Havana Syndrome: What We Know, B. Tau and W. P. Strobel, The Wall Street Journal (2023) [Short article]
What is the “Havana Syndrome?”, Brut America, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]
What is Havana Syndrome?, B. Cuffari, News Medical (2022)

Video

Who or What is Behind Havana Syndrome?, Al Jazeera, YouTube (2022)
Early Victims of ‘Havana Syndrome’ Speak Out About Ongoing Health Struggles, NBC News, YouTube (2021)

Primary Sources

Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents, National Intelligence Council (2023)
Anomalous health Incidents: Analysis of Potential Causal Mechanisms, IC Experts Panel (2022)
Senate Hearing on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, U.S. Senate (1978)
Kissinger Telephone Conversation with Ambassador Dobrynin, National Security Archive (1975)
Samuel Koslov Memorandum to the State Department, “Biomedical Phenomena,” National Security Archive (1965)

Wildcard Resource

Havana Syndrome is an example of a toponymic term in the medical field – A name that comes from a geographic place. For more on medical etymology, check out this article that shares the backstory of the name of 7 well-known conditions.

“Indian Intelligence & Cyber” – A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Sameer Patil (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and cybersecurity in the world’s most populous nation. He formerly worked in the NSC Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Cybersecurity in the world’s largest democracy
The breakdown of India’s intelligence agencies
Cybersecurity among the world’s second largest internet user base
India’s relationships with China and Pakistan

Reflections

Imperial legacies
Borders of the mind

Guest Bio

Sameer Patil is a senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, where he is an expert on the intersection between cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and national security. Previously, he served as the Assistant Director of the National Security Council Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi. He has a PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, and is the author of the 2022 book Securing India in the Cyber Era.

Quote of the Week

"So, it's a very unique relationship because if you see both the countries, uh, in a sense emerged as modern nation states at around the same time. India attended independence in 1947 the Chinese Communist party emerged victory years from a protracted civil war. In 1949 and. Initial periods of both the countries, as modern nation states were very cordial relationship, very friendly relationship in fact, we had a very populous slogan at that time, which is known as “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai,” which means India, China, Brothers - Indians and Chinese are brothers together. But by the late 1950s, many of the issues started to unravel." – Sameer Patil.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

SpyCasts

“Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy” - Indian Spy Chief Vikram Sood (2021)
“Afghanistan, the Mujahedeen, Al Qaeda” – My Time at CIA & State with Diana Bolsinger (2021)

Beginner Resources

Cyber War: How Prepared is India? WION (2022) [Video]
India’s Rise in Cybersecurity Incidents, The Print (2022) [Video]
The Entire History of India in Under 10 Minutes, Made in History (2022) [Video]
Cybersecurity in 7 Minutes, Simplilearn (2021) [Video]
India Profile: Timeline, BBC (2019) [Article]
The Indus Valley Civilization, J. Green, PBS (n.d.) [Video]

DEEPER DIVE

Featured Resource

Securing India in the Cyber Era, S. Patil (Routledge, 2022)

Wildcard Resource(s)

“The James Bond of India”
Real-life spy Ajit Doval who spent years undercover in Pakistan
He is currently the National Security Advisor of India!

“Secrets Revealed” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dr. Alexis Albion (LinkedIn, Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss amazing artifacts with amazing stories from SPY’s newest pop-up exhibit: “Secrets Revealed: Highlights from the Grant Verstandig Collection.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Casablanca’s spy connection
Lasting effects of the Rosenberg trial
Women in Intelligence
WWII covert operations

Reflections

What makes a story timeless?
The human dimension of history

And much, much more …

Quote of the Week

“To us, that might be the Rosenbergs – These sort of incredible historic figures from the Cold War Intelligence. But to Mike Meeropol, it's his mom and dad. So, I think it's a really human story as well. This letter makes recommendations about their sentencing, about life and death, and again, for me it evokes that really human dimension about whether or not this mother might have lived.” – Dr. Alexis Albion.

Resources

SpyCasts

Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)
Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal & Love – with Henry Schlesinger (2022)
Amazon to Darien, Atlantic to Pacific – Intelligence in Colombia with former Head of its Navy Admiral Hernando Wills (2022)
My Life Looking at Spies &the Media with Paul Lashmar (2021)

Beginner Resources

Soviet Spy Scandal: Who Were the Rosenbergs?, L. Davidson, HistoryHit (2022) [Article]
Casablanca in 2 Minutes, YouTube (2019) [Video]
Who was the real Mata Hari?, N. Barber, BBC Culture (2017) [Article]
How D-Day Was Fought From The Sea, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Article]

Artifacts Discussed

Primary Resources

Letter from Sophie Rosenberg to Mamie Eisenhower, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1953)
Letter from Clyde Miller to Dwight Eisenhower Urging Clemency for the Rosenbergs, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1953)
Response from Dwight Eisenhower to Clyde Miller, Eisenhower Presidential Library (1953)
The Clydebank Blitz, National Records of Scotland (1941)

Wildcard Resource(s)

The classic quote from Casablanca, “Here’s looking at you, kid” is ranked #4 on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Movie Quotes. In fact, four quotes from the movie made it onto the list – Can you guess what the others are?

"Israeli Military Intelligence" – with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Yossi Kuperwasser (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the Israeli intelligence community. Yossi is the former head of the Research Division of IDF Military Intelligence.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The layout of Israeli intelligence
The First and Second Intifadas
Israel’s complicated position in the Middle East
Relationship between Israeli and American ICs

Reflections

Intelligence as a learning process
The importance and difficulty of trust

And much, much more …

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

Quote of the Week

“That's the problem of intelligence - It's an ongoing learning process. And if you don't learn all the time to enable you to adjust to the developing situation, you are going to fail.” – Yossi Kuperwasser.

Resources

SpyCasts

The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist with Dexter Ingram (2022)
Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel with Mosab Hassan Yousef and Gonen Ben Yitzhak (2010)
Israeli Intelligence and the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case with Ron Olive (2007)

Beginner Resources

History of Israel, Encyclopedia Britannica [encyclopedia entry]
What you need to know about the 1987 Intifada, PBS (2019) [article]
The Oslo Accords, 25 Years Later, Washington Post (2018) [video]
1967 War: Six Days that Changed the Middle East, J. Bowen, BBC (2017) [article]
The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Brief, Simple History, Vox (2016) [video]

Wildcard Resource(s)

The Little Drummer Girl – A fictional novel about a double agent working for the Israelis, written by famed spy author John le Carré in 1983.

FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE

"Hitler’s Trojan Horse” – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Nigel West (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Germany’s military intelligence service during WWII, the Abwehr. Nigel is known as the expert’s expert on spy history.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The rise and fall of the Abwehr
The 20th of July plot to kill Hitler & Operation Valkyrie
How effective German intelligence was during WWII
How “Nazi” the Abwehr was

Reflections

The search for truth across generations
The power of historical documents

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES HERE!

Quote of the Week

“The Germans were ruthless. They had really good intelligence on all the bridges. They knew exactly what had to be captured in advance. The bridges would then be held, so as to allow the tanks over, and the tanks wouldn't wait to attack strong points. They would just go directly ahead in order to achieve their objectives.” – Nigel West.

Glossary

Abwehr: Germany’s military intelligence service from 1920-1945, serving both the Riechswehr and Wehrmacht. Translates to “defense.”
Reichswehr: The name for German armed forces from 1919-1935, under the Weimar Republic and first two years of the Third Reich. Per the Treaty of Versailles, the Reichswehr was very limited in arms and personnel. Translates to “Reich Defence.”
Wehrmacht: The name for German Armed Forces from 1935-1945 under Nazi Germany. The heavily militarized and manned Wehrmacht illustrated Hitler’s intentions to expand Germany. Translates to “Defense Force.”
Sicherheitsdienst: The intelligence agency of the Schutzstaffel, or SS. Translates to “Security Service.”
Gestapo: Nazi Germany’s political police force. Notorious for their brutality and representation of Nazi authoritarianism. Full name Geheime Staatspolizei, translating to “Secret State Police.”

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES HERE!

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Featured Resource(s)

Hitler’s Nest of Vipers: The Rise of the Abwehr, N. West (Frontline, 2022)
Hitler's Trojan Horse: The Fall of the Abwehr, N. West (Frontline, 2023)

SpyCasts

Nazis on the Potomac – with former National Park Service Chief Historian Bob Sutton (2022)
A Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany – 101-Year-Old Marthe Cohn’s Incredible True Story (2021)

Beginner Resources

July Plot, Britannica (2023) [encyclopedia entry)
From War to War in Europe: 1919-1939, National WW11 Museum (2018) [Background on Interwar Period]
The Treaty of Versailles, What Did the Big Three Want?, YouTube (2016) [3 min. video]
German Chief Spy Admiral Canaris, P. Kross, Warfare History Network (2014)
Abwehr, A. Lerner, Encyclopedia.com (n.d.)

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES HERE!

“Espionage and the Metaverse” – with Cathy Hackl

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Cathy Hackl (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the potential implications of the metaverse on intelligence. Cathy has been called the “Godmother of the Metaverse.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What the metaverse is
Security and counterintelligence in a virtual world
Futurism within intelligence agencies
Potential risks and consequences of the metaverse

Reflections

How virtual spaces can affect our physical world
The necessity to evolve alongside technology

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

The web will continue to evolve and change with time, but what’s coming next? And how will this evolution affect the ways that intelligence organizations around the world conduct their operations?

This week on SpyCast, Cathy Hackl joins Andrew to explain what the metaverse is, what we can expect from living in this new virtual world, and how intelligence agencies can begin planning for the Web 3 future. Cathy Hackl has been dubbed the “Godmother of the Metaverse”

Resources

Featured Resource

Into the Metaverse: The Essential Guide to the Business Opportunities of the Web3 Era, Cathy Hackl (Bloomsbury, 2023)
Metaverse Marketing [Cathy’s podcast]

Beginner Resources

What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?, Wired (2022) [Article]
Web 3.0 Explained In 5 Minutes, YouTube (2022) [5 min. Video]
12 new tech terms you need to understand the future, R. Gray, BBC (2018)

SpyCasts

How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game – with Mike Susong (2022)
Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China -- with Aynne Kokas (2022)
The FBI & Cyber – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 1 of 2)
The FBI & Cyber – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 2 of 2)

Wildcard Resource

Watch the world’s first metaverse music video, Snoop Dogg’s “House I Built,” here!

Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Where we are with the war in Ukraine
The role intelligence agencies are playing in the conflict
The leadership of Zelensky and Putin
What it’s like to report on spies
Dealing with sources inside the intelligence agencies

Reflections

The tenacity of the Ukrainian people and army
History as both repetitive and unpredictable

Episode Notes

Quote of the Week

Resources

SpyCasts

How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)
Dealing with Russia A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)
Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)
The Information Battlespace: Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2022)

Beginner Resources

Has Putin's war failed and what does Russia want?, P. Kirby, BBC (2023)
A Brief History of Modern Ukraine, BBC (2022) [YouTube video]
Russia-Ukraine Relations in 60 Seconds, CBC News (2022)

“The Espionage News Cycle” – A Conversation with SPY’s Aliza Bran

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Aliza Bran (LinkedIn, Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her role as Media Relations Manager at the International Spy Museum. Aliza is a D.C. native and graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The media and intelligence
International Spy Museum Artifacts
Espionage fact vs. fiction
The history of The International Spy Museum

Reflections

Creativity & Ingenuity
Growing up in the DMV

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

Aliza Bran’s passion and excitement for the world of SPY is contagious. Around the office of the International Spy Museum, Aliza is known for her cheerful demeanor, quick wit, and intensely creative mind. She’s been working at SPY for six years now, four of those years as our Media Relations Manager.

How does Aliza navigate the ever-changing media landscape and represent the International Spy Museum on this worldwide stage? What are Aliza’s favorite memories, artifacts, and exhibits from SPY? What makes her love this work so much, and what skills do you need to build a career in media relations? Tune in to find out.

And…

Aliza has been particularly busy these past few weeks covering the news surrounding the Chinese Spy Balloon. For a taste of Aliza’s work, find articles and video on the subject that she orchestrated here, here, here, and here.

Quote of the Week

“Part of it for me is knowing that we live in a very polarized world right now and I want to have a sense of our full audience, which is everyone. So I'm going to look at stories, places that aren't natural fits for where I tend to go. Because if people go there to read the news, I want to know what they're reading, I want to know what interests them. I want to know what people are excited about, worried about, looking at.” – Aliza Bran.

Resources

SpyCasts

My Life Looking at Spies & the Media with Paul Lashmar (2021)

Beginner Resources

What is Media Relations?, Nancy Shenker, ClearVoice (2021) [Blog Post]
Paid vs. Owned vs. Earned Media: What's the Difference?, Indeed (2021) [Article]

Books

The Good Assassin, S. Talty (Mariner, 2020)
The Alice Network, K. Quinn (William Morrow, 2017)

Articles

Deadly Women, Dirty Laundry, and a Shootout With The IRA, Reaper Feed (2020)

Video

Former CIA Operative Explains How Spies Use Disguises, WIRED (2019)
Meet a Former CIA Chief of Disguise, Atlas Obscura (2020)
Alias, ABC (2001-2006)

Artifacts from SPY’s Collection

Wildcard Resource

Check out the Refinery29 article that features Aliza’s SPY expertise applied to the collection and analysis of Taylor Swift-related intelligence.

“The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Alan Kohler joins Andrew to discuss the FBI’s counterintelligence division. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation.

FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Counterintelligence vs. Counterespionage
How the FBI recruit’s foreign agents
Ideological motivations behind spying
Effect of technology on counterintelligence

Reflections

Staying grounded under pressure
The value of creativity

Notes

Alan Kohler (LinkedIn, Website) has been the FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence since 2020. Alan and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) talk all things counterintelligence.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

SpyCasts

The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 1 (2022)
The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 2 (2022)
My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent with Kathy Stearman (2021)
The FBI Way with Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi (2021)

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

Beginner Resources

What We Investigate, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]
FAQ’S, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]
US Opens Counterintelligence Investigation into China Every 12 Hours (Dir. Wray), MSNBC (2022) [video]
What We Know About China’s Spy Agency, Bloomberg Originals (2019) [video]
Hollow Nickel/Rudolf Abel, FBI (n.d.) [Article]
NCSC Mission, Vision, and Goals, ODNI (n.d.) [Website]

Glossary:

Counterintelligence: Information gathered, and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage or other intelligence activities
FBI Attaché: a special agent assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to liaise with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. They pursue terrorist, intelligence, and criminal threats with international dimensions.
Occam’s Razor: a rule of thumb theory that states when you are faced with competing explanations for the same phenomenon, the simplest one is probably the correct one. Attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th century English theologian.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE

"How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game" – with Mike Susong

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mike Susong joins Andrew to discuss the impact and potential of AI on the intelligence field. Mike is a former CIA case officer who now oversees global intelligence for a risk management company.

FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE!

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What AI is and why it matters
How the Intelligence Community is using AI
The pros and cons of AI for case officers in the field
Ukraine - intersections between AI and OSINT
AI in Alan Turing’s Imitation Game

Reflections

Replicants, machines and robots
Will humans become obsolete?

Notes

Mike Susong (Website, LinkedIn) is an expert in the growing field of artificial intelligence. He joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE!

SpyCasts

From the CIA to Strategic Cyber -- with Hans Holmer (2022)
So, I Design Board Games for the CIA... - with Volko Ruhnke (2022)
CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer – with Mike Susong (Part 1 of 2, 2022)
CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer – with Mike Susong (Part 2 of 2, 2002)
The Cyber Zeitgeist – with Cyberwire Host Dave Bittner (2021)

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE!

Beginner Resources

Machine Leaning: Explain it to me Like I’m 5 Years Old, Bob Deprizio, Medium (2020)
What is AI (Artificial Intelligence)?, Youtube (2019) [2 min. video]
Singularity: Explain it to me Like I’m 5 Years Old, Roey Tzezana, Futurism (2017) [Article]
Alan Turing: The experiment that shaped artificial intelligence, N. Sharkey, BBC (2012) [Article]

Glossary:

AGI: Artificial General Intelligence. The unrestricted ability of software to learn, understand, & respond to any intellectual task that a human being is capable of.
ANI: Artificial Narrow Intelligence. The restricted ability of software to perform a limited subset of intellectual tasks.
Deep Learning: a machine learning technique that teaches computers to learn by example, something that comes naturally for human beings.
Machine Learning: The field of study interested in building computational systems that can improve their own performance of some task.
Natural Language Processing: A field of study that aims to analyze and understand human language communications both spoken and textual.
Uncanny Divide: Where people feel a sense of unease or revulsion in response to humanoid robots that are highly realistic.

FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE!

"The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy" – with Alexander Rose

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Alexander Rose (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss a gripping spy-vs-spy true story from the U.S. Civil War. He wrote the book that was the inspiration behind the hit TV-series TURN.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The secret plot to build a Confederate Navy
Why Liverpool was so important to both the North and the South
How Civil War espionage played out in Great Britain
The high-level spy the South had in the British Foreign Office

Reflections

The birth of the Atlantic World
The malleability of public opinion

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

Liverpool. The city of the Beatles. The home of Liverpool F.C., winner of six European Cups. Did you know that there – thousands of miles away from the bloody battlefields of Fredericksburg, Shiloh, and Gettysburg – the U.S. Civil War played out?

In fact, it was a key part of the strategies of both the North and the South since at that time it produced more ships than every other dockyard in the world combined. The North wanted to choke off the South, with the help of spies; but the South wanted to build a navy, with the help of spies. Who would prevail? This is the story of spy-vs-spy, North vs South, and Thomas Dudley vs James Bulloch.

And…

If this spy story makes you hungry for more, check out Alex’s historical espionage newsletter, Spionage.

Quotes of the Week

“If Dudley hadn't stopped Bulloch, or if Dudley hadn't existed and Bulloch created this massive fleet of blockade runners and had built more commerce raiders … You would've had a many more sinkings of American merchant vessels. You would've had larger inflows of arms and weapons into the South. The biggest change of all would've been that having the sea lanes open like that would've allowed the South to fight on much longer than it actually did.”

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Andrew’s Recommendation

You must watch Ken Burns landmark documentary The Civil War; but, you must also read more recent commentary and critique – there’s even a whole book related to it.

Headline Resource

The Lion and the Fox: Two Rival Spies and the Secret Plot to Build a Confederate Navy, A. Rose (Mariner, 2022)

Beginner Resources

Civil War: Evolution of Espionage in America, INTEL.gov (n.d.) [digital exhibition]
The History of Liverpool, Historic UK (2018) [webpage]
Liverpool and the American Civil War, National Museums Liverpool (n.d.) [short article]
British Support During the U.S. Civil War, LDHI (n.d.) [digital exhibit]

DEEP DIVE

SpyCasts

George Sharpe and the BMI – Peter Tsouras (2019)
Intelligence in the Early Republic – Ken Diagler (2015)
The Beginnings of U.S. Overhead Reconnaissance – Jim Green (2014)
Intelligence and Espionage in the U.S. Civil War - William Feis (2012)

Books

The Civil War Abroad, J. Priestley (McFarland, 2022)
Cotton, Liverpool and the American Civil War, J. Powell, (LUP, 2020)
Lincoln’s Spies, D. Waller (S&S, 2019)
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, K. Abbott (Harper, 2015)
The Union and Confederate Navies, J. McPherson (University of North Carolina, 2012)
The Civil War at Sea, C. Symonds (Oxford, 2012)

Articles

Liverpool, site of last surrender in US Civil War, S. Abdelaziz, CNN (2020)
CSS Alabama: Lost and Found, Naval History & Heritage Command (2020)

Primary Sources

The Secret Service of the Confederate States in Europe, J.D. Bulloch (1882)
Letter from J.D. Bulloch to General McRae et al (1865)
Dudley Introduces Lincoln to a Liverpudlian Union Sympathizer (1863)
Dudley’s Concerns About Southern Secession (1860)

Wildcard Resource(s)

You know Liverpool as the city of the Beatles. Did you know that The Beatles’ first single “Love Me Do” and James Bond’s debut movie “Dr. No” were released within a month of each other in 1962? And while none of the Beatles went on to become spies themselves, Ringo married Bond girl Barbara Bach in 1980 and Paul was behind the first rock Bond theme song, “Live and Let Die,” in 1973.

“Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes” - with Jim Popkin

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jim Popkin (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss America’s most damaging female spy, Ana Montes. Jim is a four-time recipient of the national Emmy Award for outstanding journalism.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How Ana Montes was recruited
Her espionage at the heart of the Department of Defense
Cuban intelligence tactics
The molehunt to capture Montes

Reflections

The “City of Spies” Washington D.C.
Betrayal and familial loss

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

She’s “the most famous spy no one’s ever heard of” – Why? Clouded by the tragedy of 9/11, Ana Montes was arrested on suspicion of espionage on September 21, 2001, as the Twin Towers smoldered. She had been spying for Cuba for almost two decades, sending secrets from the heart of American intelligence to Fidel Castro’s regime.

This week, author and investigative journalist Jim Popkin joins Andrew to discuss Ana Montes’ story framed by his new book, Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed. Jim debriefs us on how Ana was recruited, how she gathered and sent secrets, and how she ultimately the net closed in on her.

And…

The timing couldn’t be better to discuss Ana Montes’ story. Ana was released from prison two weeks ago on January 6th after serving 21 of her 25-year prison sentence. Why has Ana been released while fellow spies who caused tremendous damage, Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, remain incarcerated? Tune into this week’s episode to find out!

Quotes of the Week

“There's a haunting message that the FBI found on her laptop from the Cubans that said, ‘Thank you so much for revealing [Redacted.] We are waiting for him here with open arms.’ So, she revealed the real name of someone who was headed to Cuba, the Cubans were aware of it, and, and they were, ‘waiting for him with open arms.’” – Jim Popkin.

Resources

Headline Resource

Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)

SpyCasts

“SPY@20: Spy of the Century Kim Philby” - With Curators Alexis and Andrew (2022)
America's Most Damaging Russian Spy: FBI Agent Robert Hanssen – with Lis Wiehl (2022)
Leningrad, Molehunts, and Life After the CIA – with Christopher Burgess (2021)
FBI Special Agent Pete Lapp (2019)

Beginner Resources

Ana Montes: Cuban Spy, FBI History (n.d.) [Short Article]
A Timeline of US-Cuba Relations, I. Roman, HISTORY (2021) [Timeline]
The Evolving Motives of American Spies, N. Hunt, Washingtonian (2013) [Article]

Books

Castro’s Nemesis: True Stories of a Master Spy-Catcher, C. Simmons (Independently Published, 2022)
American Spies, M. Sulick (GUP, 2013)
True Believer: Inside the Investigation and Capture of Ana Montes, S. Carmichael (Naval Institute, 2009)
United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)

Articles

”Ana Montes released from prison” C. Yilek, CBS News (2023)
“A DC Resident Spied for Cuba for Years. How Did She Get Away With It?” S. McNamara, Washingtonian (2023)
“Ana Montes: How Cuban spy used incredible memory to betray US” C. Bailey, BBC (2023)
“How Spy Agencies Use American Universities to Secretly Recruit Students” D. Golden, Town & Country (2017)

Video

Traitors Within - Spies Who Sold Out America, YouTube (2018)
The Two Faces of Ana: Model Employee/Cuban Spy, YouTube (2017)

Primary Sources

The Ana Montes Press Reports (various)
Prisoner of Conscience: Ana Belen Montes is free! (2023)
Scholars or Spies? House of Representatives Hearing (2018)
Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005)
Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001)
FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001)

Wildcard Resource

“Lasso of Truth!”
Wonder Woman’s secret power has a connection to the polygraph...

From the Vault: “The Birth of American Propaganda” – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

John Hamilton (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Woodrow Wilson and the birth of American propaganda during WWI. He is a Professor of Journalism at Louisiana State University.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Propaganda as a form of covert action
The history of the Committee on Public Information
Woodrow Wilson & Intelligence
Deception and mental manipulation

Reflections

There is nothing new under the sun...or is there?
Life chapters in very different settings

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

When the Committee on Public Information was created in April of 1917, the United States was but one week into the first World War. In fact, the Selective Service Act would not come about for another month after the organization of the CPI. Why was Woodrow Wilson so quick to establish a system of control over public opinion, and how successful was this endeavor?

To answer these questions and more, author John Hamilton joins Andrew in a conversation about how propaganda and manipulation were used as a covert tactic during WWI and beyond. As John notes, “everything that’s done today can be traced to the CPI.”

And…

While the CPI formally existed for only a year, its impact and imagery has endured for over 100 years. For proof, look no further than the story of the iconic “I Want You!” poster of Uncle Sam.

Quotes of the Week

“You may not like the enemy, but the enemy and you are doing the same thing to manipulate people’s attitudes. And while you may think you have a just cause, your means are quite often the same – Right down to lying, and manipulation and coercion.” – John Hamilton.

Resources

Surface Skim

Headline Resource

Manipulating the Masses: Woodrow Wilson and the Birth of American Propaganda, J. Hamilton (LSU, 2020)

SpyCasts

The Third Option: US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 1 (2022)
The Third Option: US Covert Action with Loch Johnson, Part 2 (2022)
Crossfire Hurricane: Trump, Russia & the FBI with Josh Campbell (2021)
Intelligence and the Presidency with John Hedley (2008)

Beginner Resources

How Does Propaganda Work? A. Cuncic, VeryWell Mind (2022) [Article]
Selling the War, The National WWI Museum and Memorial (2020) [6 min. Video]
Committee on Public Information, R. McNamara, ThoughtCo (2019) [Article]

Deeper Dive

Books

The Imposter’s War, M. Arsenault (Pegasus, 2022)
This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality, P. Pomerantsev (PublicAffairs, 2020)
The Fake News Panic of a Century Ago, L. Huebner (Cognella, 2020)

Articles

Ukraine’s Garwa Media Fights for Truth in Kharkiv, B. Dooley, Human Rights First (2023)
The Espionage Act’s consitutional legacy, S. Bomboy, National Constitution Center (2022)
Modern Political Propaganda Posters & the Principles of Art, B. Krudwig, ArtsHelp (2020)

Video

World War I: Its History and Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art (2017)
Crackdown on Dissent, PBS Learning Media (n.d.)

Primary Sources

World War I Posters (1914-1920)
The Sedition Act (1918)
The Espionage Act (1917)
To the Four Minute Men, George Creel (1917)
Letter From Creel to President Wilson (1917)

Wildcard Resource

Check out the Mussolini funded movie Scipione L’Africano (1937) - an attempt to use the story of a legendary Roman general to justify the fascist regime and its ambitions in North Africa.

From the Vault: "The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence" – with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Thomas Leahy (Website; LinkedIn) and Eleanor Williams (Website; Twitter) join Andrew to discuss the intelligence war during “the Troubles.” Thomas lives in Cardiff and Eleanor lives in Belfast.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Troubles through the lens of intelligence
Some key intelligence players in the Northern Ireland conflict
How the IRA and the British Army adapted organizationally
The role intelligence played in the end of the conflict

Reflections

The fluid nature of motivations and intentions
How historic narratives shape and constrain the here-and-now

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

From the late 60’s to the late 90’s Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries, and the British and Irish states, were engaged in a period known as “the Troubles”: a struggle to define or redefine the future of the island of Ireland. This is an issue with deep and complex roots, but the intelligence dimension of the period known as the Troubles is fascinating and often overlooked.

To help us get our head around it all, Andrew sat down with two specialists to discuss all things intelligence and the Troubles: from the role that MI5 and MI6 played, to the Force Research Unit and the RUC Special Branch, through to how the IRA played the counterintelligence game and the role that informers, agents and moles, such as the notorious “Stakeknife,” played.

Thomas is the author of the Intelligence War Against the IRA, while Eleanor is a doctoral candidate comparing intelligence use during the Northern Irish and Colombian conflicts.

And…

The head of the Republic of Ireland’s police and security intelligence force, the Garda Síochána, is Drew Harris. Drew Harris was a career Royal Ulster Constabulary officer whose father, also a career RUC officer, was killed by the IRA in 1989. He was the first external appointee from outside the Garda.

Quote of the Week

"What's their [IRA] main role in this intelligence conflict?...one of the key points here…the IRA was quite highly regional regionalized. That's actually quite key to explain why British intelligence had some difficulties against them…Initially, it was set up similar to armed forces. It would have brigades, battalions and companies…the IRA operated this kind of army structure up to 1975…the IRA then switched to this new strategy…And part of this was to prevent mass infiltration, which had started to become a problem, particularly in Belfast pre-1975. So, what it adopted in Belfast and Derry was a cell structure." – Thomas Leahy

Resources

Books

The Intelligence War Against the IRA, T. Leahy (CUP, 2020)
Britain’s Secret War Against the IRA, A. Edwards (Merrion, 2021)
Thatcher’s Spy, W. Carlin (Merrion, 2019)
The Accidental Spy, S. O’Driscoll (Mirror, 2019)
Snitch! S. Hewitt (Continuum, 2010)
Infiltrating the IRA, R. Gilmour (LB&C, 1998)
Fifty Dead Men Walking, M. McGartland (Blake, 1997)
Best Books on the Troubles (Five Books)

Articles

The Murky World of Spying During the Troubles, J. Ware, Irish Times (2017)
Alternative Ulster: How Punk Took on the Troubles, T. Heron, Irish Times (2016)

Audio

MI5 Chameleon Infiltrated New IRA

Documentary

Spotlight on the Troubles: A Secret History, BBC (2019)
The Spy in the IRA, BBC (2017)

Web

Primary Sources

IRA-MI6 Intermediary: Interviews with Brendan Duddy (2009)
Good Friday Agreement (1998)
Downing Street Declaration (1993)
Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985)
Thatcher Speech at Airey Neave Memorial (1979)
IRA Green Book (1977)
PM Wilson & Thatcher discuss N. Ireland (1975)
Secret Meetings Between Government and IRA (1972)
Senator E. Kennedy, Ulster is Britain’s Vietnam (1971)
IRA Reports on Intelligence Informants (1922)
W.B. Yeats, “Easter: 1916” (1921)

Oral Sources

Duchas Oral History Archive (2014)

Wildcard Resource

“Murals of Northern Ireland” (4500+ Photographs)

From the Vault: "Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior" - with Ric Prado

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Enrique “Ric” Prado (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new memoir “Black Ops.” One of the most renowned CIA officers of his generation tells his story.

Book

You can buy Ric’s book, Black Ops, and support the International Spy Museum’s mission here.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His time as CIA Counterterrorist Chief of Operations which included 9/11
His career battling communist insurgents and Islamic terrorists on multiple continents
His experience living in “Contra” camps during the Nicaraguan Revolution
His time as Dep. Chief of Station and co-founding member of the Bin Laden Task Force

Reflections

Conquering your emotions to stay focused in a crisis
His journey fleeing the Cuban Revolution as a young boy to CIA via USAF Pararescue

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Ric Prado spent twenty-four-years in the CIA – and what a twenty-four years it was. His first 36 months were in the jungles of Central America as the first CIA officer to live among the “Contras,” including a period with the Miskito Native people; indeed, the photos he took ending up on the desk of CIA Director Bill Casey. So, what was it like at the pointy end of the Reagan Doctrine’s anti-communist spear, or as CIA Counterterrorist Center Chief of Ops during 9/11?

To find out, and to hear more about Ric’s storied career, Andrew sat down with him for this week’s episode. One of the meanings of the noun “legend” is “a story coming down from the past.” Many people who were in the business at the CIA and elsewhere will have heard the stories that come down from the past re Enrique “Ric” Prado, but now we all have a chance to hear Ric set the record straight in his own words.

And…

If Ric’s communist uncle hadn’t alerted the family that his school intended to send him off to the Soviet Union as a promising student for further education…if he hadn’t taken an Oceanography class at Miami Dade College and met someone who led him to USAF Pararescue…if he hadn’t been tipped off that he was to be killed in a Contra camp during the night and extricated himself from the situation…as Bob Dylan said, summing up so much of the human condition, “one more time, for a simple twist of fate.”

Quote of the Week

"The wiring was there and the mentoring from my dad…then the trip to the orphanage. And then definitely when I got into pararescue…being one of our special operations forces, the training is very, very intense…And making it through SERE school, making it through mountain climbing school. There's a certain level of conquering your emotions that you have to do…But I think that the most important thing was that I believed in what I was doing." – Ric Prado

Resources

SpyCast Episodes

Books

The Reagan Doctrine, J. Scott (DUP, 1996)
The Real Contra War, T. Brown (UOP, 2001)
Insurgency to Stability, “The Philippines,” Rabasa et al., (RAND, 2011)
Shining Path’s Politics of War, C. Degregori (UWP, 2012)
Red Revolution: Philippine Guerillas, G. Jones (Routeledge, 2019)
The Shining Path, Starn & Serna (Norton, 2019)
US Relations with Latin America (Five Books)

Articles

“Shining Path Leader Dead,” BBC (2021)
“Nicaragua Veers to Dictatorship,” J. Cordoba, WSJ (2021)

Documentaries

Nicaragua Was Our Home (L. Shapiro, 1985)
Ballad of the Little Soldier (W. Herzog, 1985)

Primary Sources

President Carter to Somoza (Brown, 1979)
Reagan Covert Ops. Nicaragua (NSA, 1981)
US Aid to Nicaragua (1982)
Reagan Covert Ops. Nicaragua (Brown, 1983)
Goldwater to Casey, “I’m Pissed Off” (Brown, 1984)
Reagan State Of The Union (APP, 1985)
Reagan Address Nicaragua (ReaganLib, 1986)
Contras Lost Congress (WaPo, 1986)
25 Years of the NPA (Hartford, 1994)

Wildcard Resource

The Clash, Sandanista (Album, 1980)

“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Loch Johnson (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss covert action aka “The Third Option.” He is the author of over 30 books on intelligence.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What is covert action
Four types of covert action
Foreign policy options: “War Power,” “Treaty Power,” and “Spy Power.”
Examples of CA: Guatemala (1954), Indochina (1965), Afghanistan (2001), Iran (2020)

Reflections

Accountability
The value of learning from past mistakes

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

There is perhaps no better guest to join Andrew in this week’s exploration of covert action than Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia Loch Johnson. Loch’s latest book, The Third Option: Covert Action and American Foreign Policy, examines the history of the complicated and sometimes controversial usage of covert action by the U.S. international affairs.

Loch’s decades-long career in foreign policy and intelligence has brought him to the forefront of some of the most seminal moments within US intelligence reform: he served as special assistant to the chair of the Church Committee, staff director of the House Subcommittee on Intelligence Oversight, and worked directly with the chair of the Aspin-Brown Commission.

In this two-part episode of SpyCast, Andrew and Loch unpack what makes a covert action operation successful, and how we can learn from intelligence failures and past mistakes.

And…

How many people have a society named after them? Loch does!

Quote of the Week

"History doesn't like to be shaped, it has a power all of its own, but we try to shape it at least at the margins, and we do that through covert action, sometimes called the third option…and it really comes in four packages. Package number one is propaganda… And then comes political covert actions…Thirdly is economic covert action…And then fourthly, and most dramatically, are paramilitary operations. These are war-like activities." – Loch Johnson.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Featured Resource

The Third Option, L. Johnson (Oxford, 2022)

Beginner Resources

Covert Action, E. Rosenbach & A. Peritz, Belfer Center (2009) [Background Memo]
Looking back at the Church Committee, National Constitution Center (2019) [Blog Post]
The Iran-Contra Affair, B. Craig, The Miller Center (2017) [Article]

SpyCasts

DEEPER DIVE

Books

A Covert Action: Reagan, the CIA and Poland, S. Jones (W.W. Norton, 2018)
The Church Committee Confronts America's Spy Agencies, L. Johnson (UP of Kentucky, 2015)
The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro, and the Bay of Pigs, J. Rasenberger (Scribner, 2012)
Executive Secrets: Covert Action and the Presidency, W. Daugherty (UP of Kentucky, 2006)
Covert Action, G. Treverton (1987)

Articles

The Disturbing Story Of The Heart Attack Gun Invented By The CIA During The Cold War, M. Dunn, All That’s Interesting (2022)

Video

Iran-Contra: Reagan’s Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power, US National Archives (2015)
‘Covert Action’ By U.S. To Assist Ukraine Could Be In Play, MSNBC News (2022)

Primary Sources

Commission on the U.S. Intelligence Community (1994-1996)
Senate Select Committee with Respect to Intelligence Activities (1976)
“Huge C.I.A. Operation Reported in U.S. against Antiwar Forces," S. Hersh, NYT (1974)
FBI Records: COINTELPRO (1956-1971)
Note on U.S. Covert Actions

Wildcard Resource

A 90s cartoon, evil beings threaten humanity, only the Wild C.A.T.s can save them: i.e., Covert Action Teams!
“Covert action” as a concept has become part of the entertainment industry

“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Loch Johnson (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss covert action aka “The Third Option.” He is the author of over 30 books on intelligence.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What is covert action
Four types of covert action
Foreign policy options: “War Power,” “Treaty Power,” and “Spy Power.”
Examples of CA: Guatemala (1954), Indochina (1965), Afghanistan (2001), Iran (2020)

Reflections

Accountability
The value of learning from past mistakes

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

In this two-part episode of SpyCast, Andrew and Loch unpack what makes a covert action operation successful, and how we can learn from intelligence failures and past mistakes.

And…

How many people have a society named after them? Loch does!

Quote of the Week

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Featured Resource

The Third Option, L. Johnson (Oxford, 2022)

Beginner Resources

Covert Action, E. Rosenbach & A. Peritz, Belfer Center (2009) [Background Memo]
Looking back at the Church Committee, National Constitution Center (2019) [Blog Post]
The Iran-Contra Affair, B. Craig, The Miller Center (2017) [Article]

SpyCasts

DEEPER DIVE

Books

A Covert Action: Reagan, the CIA and Poland, S. Jones (W.W. Norton, 2018)
The Church Committee Confronts America's Spy Agencies, L. Johnson (UP of Kentucky, 2015)
The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro, and the Bay of Pigs, J. Rasenberger (Scribner, 2012)
Executive Secrets: Covert Action and the Presidency, W. Daugherty (UP of Kentucky, 2006)
Covert Action, G. Treverton (1987)

Articles

The Disturbing Story Of The Heart Attack Gun Invented By The CIA During The Cold War, M. Dunn, All That’s Interesting (2022)

Video

Iran-Contra: Reagan’s Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power, US National Archives (2015)
‘Covert Action’ By U.S. To Assist Ukraine Could Be In Play, MSNBC News (2022)

Primary Sources

Commission on the U.S. Intelligence Community (1994-1996)
Senate Select Committee with Respect to Intelligence Activities (1976)
“Huge C.I.A. Operation Reported in U.S. against Antiwar Forces," S. Hersh, NYT (1974)
FBI Records: COINTELPRO (1956-1971)
Note on U.S. Covert Actions

Wildcard Resource

A 90s cartoon, evil beings threaten humanity, only the Wild C.A.T.s can save them: i.e., Covert Action Teams!
“Covert action” as a concept has become part of the entertainment industry

“Spying and Start-Ups” – with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

John Mullen (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his life and career. He was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How John was recruited
Life as an adrenaline addict in the CIA
Case officers vs. entrepreneurs
How China spies on corporate America

Reflections

Atlantic vs. Pacific outlook
Quantum

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The Pacific Theater of WWII was imprinted on John Mullen as a young boy. He grew up in Seattle on the West Coast and had family members who remembered Boeing factories under camouflaged nets. He had two family members who were killed in that theater in the 1940s.

John went on to have a stellar CIA career - but one that always had an eye to the East. He went on the become the Assistant Director for Asia and the Pacific, leading all clandestine activity across this huge region, and spent time as a CIA Station Chief in the Far East. He has since co-founded his own firm and is currently engaged in protecting innovation at Strider Technologies as an Executive Vice President.

Ever wondered what it’d be like to join the CIA or to leave it to work in corporate America?

I have a feeling John might be able to help…

And…

Business intelligence, competitive intelligence, product intelligence, workforce intelligence: in case you haven’t noticed – intel is everywhere these days!

Quote of the Week

Honestly, in my 30 years, at CIA, there were probably less than two handfuls of days. I woke up and wasn't excited about going to work. – John Mullen.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Andrew’s Recommendation

The Pacific War, WELT (2021) [documentary]

Beginner Resources

What We Know About China’s Spy Agency, Bloomberg (2019) [4 min video]
Start Ups Backed by the CIA and Pentagon, CB Insights (2016) [short web article]
Brian Cox Explains Quantum Mechanics in 60 secs, BBC, (2014) [60 sec video]

DEEPER DIVE

SpyCasts

CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer with Mike Susong, Part 1 (2022)
CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer with Mike Susong, Part 2 (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022)
My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent with Kathy Stearman (2021)

Books

China Unbound: A New World Disorder, J. Chiu (House of Anansi Press, 2021)
Quantum Computing for Everyone, C. Berhardt (MIT, 2020)
Chinese Espionage Operations and Tactics, N. Eftimiades (Vitruvian Press, 2020)
Spies for Nimitz: Joint Military Intelligence in the Pacific War, J. Moore (Naval Institute Press, 2004)
In Search of Schrödinger's Cat: Quantum Physics and Reality, J. Gribbin (Bantam Books, 1984)

Articles

Chinese intelligence officer sentenced to 20 years in prison in espionage case, R. Legare, CBS News (2022)
The World-Changing Race to Develop the Quantum Computer, S. Witt, The New Yorker (2022)
Paradigm Shift: China’s State Capitalism Is Not Colliding With Its Technological Ambitions, Strider (2021)

Video

Made in Beijing: The Plan for Global Market Domination, FBI (2022)
China's New Quantum Computing Breakthrough Shocks American Scientists, YouTube (2022)
Seattle’s Waterway to the World, YouTube (2017)

Primary Sources

Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States (2022)
The Information War in the Pacific, 1945, J. Williams (2002)
The Art of China Watching, G. Solin (1996)

Wildcard Resource

The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains 26 military cemeteries and memorials in 17 different foreign countries around the world that honor Americans that served in World War I and World War II. If you have a family member buried abroad, you can utilize ABMC’s Burial Search to locate their records.

“Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal & Love” – with Henry Schlesinger

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Henry Schlesinger (Rare Bird Books) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss two of the most mysterious and alluring forces in human history: sex and spying. He is a journalist and author proudly based out of NYC.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The impact of sexpionage on history
Debunking common “honey trap” myths
Examples of weaponized seduction and leveraged love
Cyber honey traps and digital sexpionage

Reflections

Psychological implications of love and lies
The relationship between pop culture myths and historical truth

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

Sex. Espionage. Sometimes they both overlap by accident...but sometimes it's entirely intentional. From Samson and Delilah in the Bible to the Profumo Affair that rocked British society in the 1960’s, they are a heady and dramatic combination.

But how is sex used in modern espionage? How do the professionals combine them, if indeed they do? What myths surround the use of both? How have men and women used sex and seduction to spy?

To answer these questions and more, Andrew sat down with Henry Schlesinger to discuss his newest book, Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Weaponized Love, which explores the fascinating relationship between sex and spying.

And…

You know about Benjamin Franklin in Paris as a “bon vivant, wily diplomat and aging lion,” but read Henry’s article about him as the “Founding Forger” engaged in disinformation and fake news during the Revolution!

Quote of the Week

“The thing about espionage is that it encompasses the best in human beings and the worst and everything in between.” – Henry Schlesinger.

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Security Implications of Polygraph Derived Homesexual Fantasies”
See how much social mores have changed since 1985

Featured Resource

Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Love, Henry R. Schlesinger (Rare Bird, 2022)

Beginner Resources

The Stasi Spies Who Traded Sex for Secrets, Oliver Moody, The Times (2022) [Article]
Romeo Spies, CIA (2018) [Article]
The Brilliant MI6 Spy Who Perfected the Art of the ‘Honey Trap’, Hadley Meares, Atlas Obscura (2017) [Article]
The History of the Honey Trap, Philip Knightly, Foreign Policy (2010) [Article]

DEEPER DIVE

SpyCasts

Mata Hari, The Spy with Dr. Julie Wheelwright (2019)
Sexpionage with H. Keith Melton (2009)

Books

The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, & Betrayal, H. Blum (Harper, 2017)
In the Garden of Beasts, E. Larson (Crown, 2011)
Stalin's Romeo Spy, E. Draitser (Northwestern, 2010)
Femme Fatale: Love, Lies, and Mata Hari, P. Shipman (Harper, 2008)

Articles

MEA staffer ‘honey trapped’: What’s the role of sex in spying?, A. Bhaskar, The Indian Express (2022)
The making of an iconic image: Christine Keeler, 1963, Victoria and Albert Museum (n.d.)
Christine Keeler obituary: the woman at the heart of the Profumo affair, P. Sanford, The Guardian (2017)
The Honeytrap That Ensnared One Marine in a Sexpionage Case, C. Burgess, ClearanceJobs (2022)
How to Use Sex Like a Russian Spy, P. Sullivan, Foreign Policy (2010)

Video

Spy History: King Goujian and the Boiled Seeds (2021) [Short Story]
Spies & Spymasters Happy Hour | Soviet Romeo Spy Dmitri Bystrolyotov (2020) [SPY Program]
The Spy Who Loved Me: When East German Spies Broke Hearts In The Cold War (2017) [Documentary]

Primary Sources

Delilah Betrays Samson, Judges 16, The Bible
Sexpionage: Why We Can't Resist Those KGB Sirens, M. Dobbs, The Washington Post (1987)
CIA Cover Exposed in Ghana, S. Meddis, USA Today (1985)
Spying Casts Shadow Over Talks, R. Beeston & B. Gertz, The Washington Times (1987)
Soviets Still Employed at Embassy in Moscow, B. Gertz, The Washington Times (1987)
Testimony of George Karlin aka Yuri Krotkov (1969)

Wildcard Resource

From Russia With Love (1963)
Bond: Honey Trapped or Honey Trapper? A little bit of both!

“The FBI & Cyber” – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Bryan Vorndran (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss how the FBI has adapted to the digital age. As Bryan says, “We are not your grandparents FBI.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The evolution of the FBI and cyber
Weakening cyber adversaries
Motivations behind creating and distributing malware
How to keep your information safe from cyber attacks

Reflections

Adapting to change within the intelligence field
The value of a passionate and committed team

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

When Bryan Vorndran attended the FBI Academy in 2003, cyber was not on his personal radar, nor was it on Quantico’s vigorous training schedule. Now, almost 20 years later, Bryan serves as the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

What changed in those 20 years to bring Bryan to the forefront of the cyber battlefield, and how have the tactics and strategies used in this used in this field evolved alongside the ever-changing face of cyber?

Tune into this week’s SpyCast episode to find out!

The FBI has historically been associated with law enforcement and criminal justice. How does cyber fit into this world, and what is the FBI’s strategy for defending the country against cyber adversaries?

And…

Check out the FBI Cyber's Most Wanted list. A look through the details on each of these wanted posters can give you a better idea of the vast array of cyber-crimes committed around the world.

Quotes of the Week

“We will not arrest our way out of the ransomware problem. We are not going to arrest our way out of the Russia China Nation state cyber vector problem. Right? It's just not going to happen. But again, national tool power is something we will always do, but there has to be a way to degrade the ecosystem to make their life more challenging.” – Bryan Vordran.

Resources

SpyCasts

Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization – with Eric Escobar, Part 1 (2022)
Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization – with Eric Escobar, Part 2 (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber - with Hans Holmer (2022)
CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer – with Mike Susong (2022)
Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – Inside Microsoft’s MSTIC (2021)
The Cyber Zeitgeist – Cyberwire Host Dave Bittner (2021)

Beginner Resources

What is cybersecurity?, IBM (n.d.) [Article]
How does Malware Work?, Peter Baltazar, Malware Fox (2021) [Article]
Director Wray on FBI Cyber Strategy, FBI (2020)

Books

Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, Fred Kaplan (Simon & Schuster, 2017)
Spam Nation: The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime, Brian Krebs (Sourcebooks, 2015)
DarkMarket: How Hackers Became the New Mafia, Misha Glenny (Vintage, 2012)
The FBI: A History, Rhodri Jefferys-Jones (Yale, 2007)

Articles

FBI: Beware of Cyber-Threat from Russian Hacktivists, Phil Muncaster, Info Security (2022)
Web shell attacks continue to rise, Microsoft Security (2021)
Thingbots: The Future of Botnets in the Internet of Things, Paul Sabanal, Security Intelligence (2016)

Video

Inside the FBI: Decoding the Cyber Threat (2022)
Made in Beijing: The Plan for Global Market Domination (2022)
FBI Oregon Cyber Jobs: Cyber Special Agent (2022)
Life on an FBI Cyber Squad (2020)
The Evolving Attack Surface (2020)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Quiz: Test your knowledge of the FBI in pop culture!

“The FBI & Cyber” – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Brian Vorndran (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss how the FBI has adapted to the digital age. As Brian says, “We are not your grandparents FBI.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The evolution of the FBI and cyber
Weakening cyber adversaries
Motivations behind creating and distributing malware
How to keep your information safe from cyber attacks

Reflections

Adapting to change within the intelligence field
The value of a passionate and committed team

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

When Brian Vorndran attended the FBI Academy in 2003, cyber was not on his personal radar, nor was it on Quantico’s vigorous training schedule. Now, almost 20 years later, Brian serves as the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

What changed in those 20 years to bring Brian to the forefront of the cyber battlefield, and how have the tactics and strategies used in this used in this field evolved alongside the ever-changing face of cyber?

Tune into this week’s SpyCast episode to find out!

And…

Check out the FBI Cyber's Most Wanted list. A look through the details on each of these wanted posters can give you a better idea of the vast array of cyber-crimes committed around the world.

Quotes of the Week

Resources

SpyCasts

Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization – with Eric Escobar, Part 1 (2022)
Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization – with Eric Escobar, Part 2 (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber - with Hans Holmer (2022)
CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer – with Mike Susong (2022)
Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – Inside Microsoft’s MSTIC (2021)
The Cyber Zeitgeist – Cyberwire Host Dave Bittner (2021)

Beginner Resources

What is cybersecurity?, IBM (n.d.) [Article]
How does Malware Work?, Peter Baltazar, Malware Fox (2021) [Article]
Director Wray on FBI Cyber Strategy, FBI (2020)

Books

Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, Fred Kaplan (Simon & Schuster, 2017)
Spam Nation: The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime, Brian Krebs (Sourcebooks, 2015)
DarkMarket: How Hackers Became the New Mafia, Misha Glenny (Vintage, 2012)
The FBI: A History, Rhodri Jefferys-Jones (Yale, 2007)

Articles

FBI: Beware of Cyber-Threat from Russian Hacktivists, Phil Muncaster, Info Security (2022)
Web shell attacks continue to rise, Microsoft Security (2021)
Thingbots: The Future of Botnets in the Internet of Things, Paul Sabanal, Security Intelligence (2016)

Video

Inside the FBI: Decoding the Cyber Threat (2022)
Made in Beijing: The Plan for Global Market Domination (2022)
FBI Oregon Cyber Jobs: Cyber Special Agent (2022)
Life on an FBI Cyber Squad (2020)
The Evolving Attack Surface (2020)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Quiz: Test your knowledge of the FBI in pop culture!

"Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle – with China" with Aynne Kokas

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Aynne Kokas (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her book "Trafficking Data: How China is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty."

“Nazis on the Potomac” – with former National Park Service Chief Historian Bob Sutton

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Bob Sutton (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the mysterious intelligence site P.O. Box 1142. High-value Nazis were interrogated here during WWII.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The interrogation of top Nazis for intelligence
The analysis of literally tons of captured German documents
Refining ways to escape and evade Nazis in German occupied Europe
The importance of intelligence on the German Army’s Order of Battle

Reflections

The National Park Service & History
Politicizing Interpretation

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

This week’s guest is the former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, Bob Sutton, and what a wonderful conversation we had.

His book, Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win WWII, tells the story of military intelligence facility P.O. Box 1142 – present day Fort Hunt, around 15 miles south of Washington DC.It was here, between 1942-1945, that around three and a half thousand high level German prisoners were interrogated, captured documents analyzed, and ways to help Americans escape and evade Nazis in occupied Europe studied.

This story is particularly incredible, because many of the interrogators were German born Jews.

This story was almost lost to history, but thankfully because of the NPS and Bob Sutton, it never will be.

[Conflict of interest disclosure, Andrew has an “America the Beautiful” Annual Pass].

And…

John W. Kluge arrived in the United States from Germany not speaking a word of English in 1922. He was 8 years old. He would go on to be the head of the Military Intelligence Research Section (MIRS) at P.O. Box 1142. After the war, he would go on to become the richest man in the United States. He was so appreciative of America, that he provided funds to Columbia University and The Library Congress to provide opportunities to future students and scholars. Andrew is a former John W. Kluge Fellow at the Library of Congress and therefore a direct recipient of his philanthropy for which he is grateful.

Quote of the Week

"Doing what we did at Fort Hunt is actually fairly unusual, where we didn't know the story. We were able to locate people, we were able to get money, we could actually interview everybody that we found…That's relatively unusual." – Bob Sutton

Resources

SURFACE SKIM

*Andrew’s Recommendation*
Oral History Interview with John W. Kluge, NPS
Some fascinating budgets on how his time in intelligence informed his business practices
*Featured Resource*
Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win WWII, B. Sutton (Casemate, 2022)
*Beginner Resources*
POWs and Intel at Fort Hunt in WWII, NPS (n.d.) [web article]
P.O. Box 1142, Top Secret Heroes, YouTube [3 min video]
History Series (GS-0170) Federal Jobs, [career article]

DEEPER DIVE

*SpyCasts*
“The Beverley Hills Spy” – with Seth Abramovich (2022)
Books
Richie Boy Secrets, B. Eddy (Stackpole, 2021)
Escape and Evasion, P. Froom (Schiffer, 2015)
The History of Camp Tracy, A. Corbin (Zeidon, 2009)
Articles
P.O. Box 1142, The Mysterious WWII Installation, SOF (2022)
MIS-X: Escape and Evasion in WWII, N. Nix, Patch (2011)
Moving Image
Fort Hunt Up to WWII, R. Sutton, C-SPAN (2022)
Richie Boys, 60 Minutes (2022)
The New Americans: The Immigrants who Served, U.S. Holocaust Museum (2020)
Primary Sources
“Red Book”: Order of Battle of the German Army (1945)
Oral Sources
Oral History Interview with Rudolph Pins (2006)
Oral History Interview with Silvio Bedini (2007)
Oral History Interview with Paul Fairbrook (2008)
Oral History Collections
Fort Hunt Oral History Project, P.O. Box 1142
*Wildcard Resource*
H. Res. 753
A Resolution on P.O. Box 1142 from the 110th Congress
“Whereas” is utilized to great effect to tell the story with great aplomb!

“Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. From the SpyCast Field of Dreams.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Sign-stealing and codebreaking
Glue guys and teamwork
Ethics in baseball and espionage
Clutch and pinch hitters in espionage and baseball

Reflections

Daring to fail
Stepping up to the plate of life

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack. Few things in the world compare to sitting back, putting your feet up, and cracking open a cold one while watching the World Series.

For the 2021 World Series Marc joined us for a fantastic discussion on the links between baseball and espionage. How do we top that? A baseball fanatic ex-CIA officer?

Why, how about getting a first-round draft pick, World Series Champion with over 6500 at-bats? Done! Enter Ryan Zimmerman, Mr. National!

And…

Quotes of the Week

"You know, you have to have that mentality in these professions." - Marc Polymeropoulos

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Moneyball, M. Lewis (W.W. Norton, 2004)
Love it or hate it, this is the first port of call for any reckoning of baseball and analytics.

SpyCasts

“Baseball & Espionage” – with Marc Polymeropoulos (2021)

Beginner Resources

Spy Agencies Struggling in Age of Big Data, A. Zegart, Wired (2022) [article]
Baseball Analytics for the Casual Fan, Simple Sabermetrics (2020) [7 min video]
Beginners Guide to Baseball Analytics, N. Allen, Fansided (2018) [article]
Best Baseball Analytics Resources, Simple Sabermetrics (2022)

Books

Spies, Lies and Algorithms, A. Zegart (PUP, 2022)
The Catcher Was a Spy: Moe Berg, N. Dawidoff (Pantheon, 1994)

Articles

Baseball and Cybersecurity, S. Handler, Atlantic Council (2020)
Baseball’s Rude Welcome to Age of Cyberespionage, N. Paine, 538 (2015)
The Man Who Remade Basketball, M. McCluskey, Wired (2014)
Baseball on Exhibit: Musuems in the SABR Era, Z. Jendro, SABR (2011)

Video

Lessons from the CIA’s Analytic Front-Lines, B. Pease, JHU (2022)
Sabermetrics 101: Baseball Analytics, A. Andres, Talks at Google (2016)
CIA’s Chief Information Officer - Advanced Analytics, D. Wolfe, O’Reilly (2015)

Primary Sources

The PC Goes to Bat (1984)

Wildcard Resource

Get “Analytics Certification” from the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) - which is where the term “sabermetrics” comes from!

“Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. From the SpyCast Field of Dreams.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Sign-stealing and codebreaking
Glue guys and teamwork
Ethics in baseball and espionage
Clutch and pinch hitters in espionage and baseball

Reflections

Daring to fail
Stepping up to the plate of life

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack. Few things in the world compare to sitting back, putting your feet up, and cracking open a cold one while watching the World Series.

For the 2021 World Series Marc joined us for a fantastic discussion on the links between baseball and espionage. How do we top that? A baseball fanatic ex-CIA officer?

Why, how about getting a first-round draft pick, World Series Champion with over 6500 at-bats? Done! Enter Ryan Zimmerman, Mr. National!

And…

Quotes of the Week

"You know, you have to have that mentality in these professions." - Marc Polymeropoulos

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Moneyball, M. Lewis (W.W. Norton, 2004)
Love it or hate it, this is the first port of call for any reckoning of baseball and analytics.

SpyCasts

“Baseball & Espionage” – with Marc Polymeropoulos (2021)

Beginner Resources

Spy Agencies Struggling in Age of Big Data, A. Zegart, Wired (2022) [article]
Baseball Analytics for the Casual Fan, Simple Sabermetrics (2020) [7 min video]
Beginners Guide to Baseball Analytics, N. Allen, Fansided (2018) [article]
Best Baseball Analytics Resources, Simple Sabermetrics (2022)

Books

Spies, Lies and Algorithms, A. Zegart (PUP, 2022)
The Catcher Was a Spy: Moe Berg, N. Dawidoff (Pantheon, 1994)

Articles

Baseball and Cybersecurity, S. Handler, Atlantic Council (2020)
Baseball’s Rude Welcome to Age of Cyberespionage, N. Paine, 538 (2015)
The Man Who Remade Basketball, M. McCluskey, Wired (2014)
Baseball on Exhibit: Musuems in the SABR Era, Z. Jendro, SABR (2011)

Video

Lessons from the CIA’s Analytic Front-Lines, B. Pease, JHU (2022)
Sabermetrics 101: Baseball Analytics, A. Andres, Talks at Google (2016)
CIA’s Chief Information Officer - Advanced Analytics, D. Wolfe, O’Reilly (2015)

Primary Sources

The PC Goes to Bat (1984)

Wildcard Resource

Get “Analytics Certification” from the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) - which is where the term “sabermetrics” comes from!

From the Vault: “On the Streets, Location Unknown” - CIA Operator Karen Schaefer (Part I)

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Andrew Hammond shares an encore episode From the Vault. From counternarcotics to counterterrorism, from Latin America to the Middle East, and from the back streets of a warzone to the center of events in Washington DC – Karen Schaefer has had, how should we say, an “eventful” career as an intelligence officer. Charming, smart, thoughtful, and you haven’t even met Karen yet…but seriously, it was a pleasure to talk to this week’s guest who had all of those qualities, and more; so enjoyable it will be released as a double-header. This week, Part I focuses on her time as an operator; while Part II focuses on her time as a “serial collaborator” who worked with Special Operations, the FBI, and the NSC. Stay tuned…

“Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization” – with Eric Escobar (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a coveted DEFCON Black Badge.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence
What keeps Eric up at night
Thinking like an ethical hacker (aka a “penetration tester)
Protecting your information (i.e., “Hardening the attack surface”)
Plain English explanations of key cyber concepts like “Kill Chains” and “Zero Days”
Reflections
Having a cool job
The information revolution and life in the modern world
And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Eric Escobar commits several thousand felonies on any given day, if he didn’t have permission to do what he was doing.

“From my perspective, it’s the coolest job in the entire world.”

His team consecutively won first place in the Wireless CTF category at DEF CON 23, 24, and 25, snagging a Black Badge along the way. He has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering.

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Word Notes
From beginner thru advanced, you’ll find some helpful definitions of things like “Web 3.0,” “NFT’s” and “Digital Transformation” on this Cyberwire audio glossary.

SpyCasts

Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) – with John Lambert and Cristin Goodwin (2021)
The Cyber Zeitgeist – with Dave Bittner (2021)
Securing Cyberspace – with Charlie Mitchell (2016)

Beginner Resources

What is Hacking? The Economic Times (n.d.) [web]
Ethical Hacking in 8 Minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [8 min video]
Cybersecurity in 7 minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [7 min video]

Books

The Cyberweapons Arms Race, N. Perloth (Bloomsbury, 2021)
Cult of the Dead Cow, J. Menn (PublicAffairs, 2020)
Breaking & Entering, J. Smith (Mariner Books, 2019)
The Art of Invisibility, K. Mitnick (L, B & C, 2017)
Ghost in the Wires, K. Mitnick (Back Bay Books, 2012)
Kingpin, K. Poulson (Crown, 2012)
The Cuckoo’s Egg, C. Stoll (Doubleday, 1989)
Neuromancer, W. Gibson (Ace, 1984)

Articles

2022 State of the Threat: A Year in Review, Secureworks (2022)
The Anthropology of Hackers, The Atlantic (2010)
Timeline Since 2006: Significant Cyber Incidents, CSIS (n.d.)

Documentary

DEFCON, The Documentary Network (2013)

Resources

Government Hacking Bibliography, S. Quinlan, New America Foundation (2016)

Wildcard Resource

“The Aurora Shard”
Come to the International Spy Museum to see an ugly chunk of metal. Why? Well, it speaks to a revolution in the relationship between the material world and the non-material world. Broken down? 30 lines of code blew up a 27-ton generator. Zeros and ones can cause violent explosions!

“Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization” – with Eric Escobar (Part 1 of 2)

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a coveted DEFCON Black Badge.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence
What keeps Eric up at night
Thinking like an ethical hacker (aka a “penetration tester)
Protecting your information (i.e., “Hardening the attack surface”)
Plain English explanations of key cyber concepts like “Kill Chains” and “Zero Days”
Reflections
Having a cool job
The information revolution and life in the modern world
And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Eric Escobar commits several thousand felonies on any given day, if he didn’t have permission to do what he was doing.

“From my perspective, it’s the coolest job in the entire world.”

His team consecutively won first place in the Wireless CTF category at DEF CON 23, 24, and 25, snagging a Black Badge along the way. He has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering.

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Word Notes
From beginner thru advanced, you’ll find some helpful definitions of things like “Web 3.0,” “NFT’s” and “Digital Transformation” on this Cyberwire audio glossary.

SpyCasts

Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) – with John Lambert and Cristin Goodwin (2021)
The Cyber Zeitgeist – with Dave Bittner (2021)
Securing Cyberspace – with Charlie Mitchell (2016)

Beginner Resources

What is Hacking? The Economic Times (n.d.) [web]
Ethical Hacking in 8 Minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [8 min video]
Cybersecurity in 7 minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [7 min video]

Books

The Cyberweapons Arms Race, N. Perloth (Bloomsbury, 2021)
Cult of the Dead Cow, J. Menn (PublicAffairs, 2020)
Breaking & Entering, J. Smith (Mariner Books, 2019)
The Art of Invisibility, K. Mitnick (L, B & C, 2017)
Ghost in the Wires, K. Mitnick (Back Bay Books, 2012)
Kingpin, K. Poulson (Crown, 2012)
The Cuckoo’s Egg, C. Stoll (Doubleday, 1989)
Neuromancer, W. Gibson (Ace, 1984)

Articles

2022 State of the Threat: A Year in Review, Secureworks (2022)
The Anthropology of Hackers, The Atlantic (2010)
Timeline Since 2006: Significant Cyber Incidents, CSIS (n.d.)

Documentary

DEFCON, The Documentary Network (2013)

Resources

Government Hacking Bibliography, S. Quinlan, New America Foundation (2016)

Wildcard Resource

“The Aurora Shard”
Come to the International Spy Museum to see an ugly chunk of metal. Why? Well, it speaks to a revolution in the relationship between the material world and the non-material world. Broken down? 30 lines of code blew up a 27-ton generator. Zeros and ones can cause violent explosions!

“The Past 75 Years” – with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (Website; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his book. He has studied American intelligence for 50 years.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The CIA and the American presidents they served
The founding of the CIA just as America became a global superpower
Pearl Harbor, the USSR and covert action under Eisenhower
Assassinations, controversy, the Church Committee, and 9/11

Reflections

How much of the future can we predict
Intention in history

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

This week’s guest, Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, is Emeritus Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh. He has been studying American intelligence for half a century and has written a history of the CIA to coincide with its 75th anniversary, entitled: A Question of Standing.

This episode with Rhodri is a counterpoint to last week’s episode with Robert Gates: a career historian and a career intelligence officer; a European and an American; a 70,000 feet view and a 30,000 feet one. Interestingly, they were born continents apart within almost a year of each other.

Rhodri is the author of over a dozen books, has a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, and grew up in Harlech, Wales.

And…

Harlech, Wales, where Rhodri grew up, has the steepest street in the Northern Hemisphere. The steepest street in the Southern Hemisphere, and the world according to Guinness Records, is in Dunedin, New Zealand (Dunedin is Gaelic for Edinburgh). The steepest street in the continental United States is Canton Avenue in Pittsburgh (to celebrate its Welsh heritage the Steel City has a St. David’s Society). Espionage in Welsh is ysbïo.

Quote of the Week

"CIA can't afford to rest on its laurels and continue with systems it has. It has to change all the time." – Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Documents on Origins of CIA,” Truman Library [pdf]

SpyCasts

“The 75th Anniversary” – with Robert Gates (2022)

Beginner Resources

History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [web]
A Brief History of US-Iran Relations, ABC News (n.d.) [video]
CIA Involvement in 1953 Iranian Coup, CNN (n.d.] [video]
Iran & Guatemala, 1953-4, NYT (2003) [article]

Books

Covert Action & USFP, L. Johnson (OUP, 2022)
A Brief History of the CIA, R. Immerman (Wiley, 2014)
The [Dulles] Brothers, S. Kinzer (St. Martin’s, 2014)
Mighty Wurlitzer: How CIA Played America, H. Wilford (HUP, 2009)
Countercoup: Struggle for Iran, K. Roosevelt (McGraw-Hill, 1979)

Articles

64 Years Later CIA Releases Details of Iranian Coup, B. Allen-Ebrahimian, FP (2017)

Video

“The Nazi Spy Ring in America,” R. Jeffreys-Jones, SPY (2021)
“Secrecy, Democracy & the Birth of the CIA,” H. Wilford, Great Courses (n.d.)

Photo

“The 1953 Iranian Coup,” Radio Free Europe Archives (2013)

Documentary

The Spymasters, Showtime (2015)
CIA: Secret Wars, Part 1, Roche (2003)
CIA: Secret Wars, Part 2, Roche (2003)

Curatorial

Pocket History of CIA, CIA (2014)

Primary Sources

History Staff Analysis: CIA & Guatemala Assassination Proposals, 1952-4 (1995)
Iran 1953: Transcript of Interview with MI6 Officer Norman Darbyshire (1985)
DCI Dulles to President Eisenhower (1953)
Telegram from CIA to Station in Iran (1953)
Telegram from Station in Iran to CIA (1953)
Monthly Report, Directorate of Plans, CIA (1953)
Memo from Deputy Director for Plans (Wisner) to DCI Dulles (1953)
National Security Act (1947)

Website

Intelligence Milestones During Eisenhower Administration, Eisenhower Library (n.d.]

Wildcard Resource

Tom Paine (Common Sense, 1776), Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America, 1835) and Mork from Ork (Mork & Mindy, 1978-82) are all outsiders, like Rhodri, looking in. What can each of them tell us about the United States? What can they tell us that people born within an ecosystem can’t?

“The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His reflections on the CIA at 75
How the CIA’s story intersected with his own
His take on the organization’s strengths and weaknesses
The complex intl. environment the CIA must now help America navigate

Reflections

Twists of fate
Identity and institutions

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Wouldn’t you love to know his take on the CIA at 75? Well, we’ve made that happen for you!

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Reorganization in the Intel. Community,” DCI Gates (1992)
Watch this prescient clip on historical naivete, or if you’re hardcore, the entire congressional testimony

SpyCasts

“Dealing with Russia” – with Jim Olson (2022)
“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – with Mike Morell (2021)

Beginner Resources

History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [website]
CIA Director’s Portrait Gallery, CIA (n.d.) [online gallery]
Impact of President G.H.W. Bush’s Foreign Policy, MSNBC (2018) [13 min. video]
At 75, CIA Back Where it Started, Countering Kremlin, G. Myre, NPR (2022) [5 min. audio]

Books

Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
Duty, R. Gates (Vintage, 2015) [Def. Sec. memoir]
A World Transformed, Bush & Scowcroft (Knopf, 1998)
From the Shadows, R. Gates (S&S, 1996) [CIA memoir]
Power & Principle, Z. Brzezinski (FS&G, 1983) [Gates was Z.B.’s Special Asst. at the NSC during the Carter era]

Articles

A More Realistic Strategy for the Post-Cold War Era, R. Gates, WaPo (2022)
Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, M. Warner, SII (1996)

Video

Legacy of the G.H.W.B. Administration, CFR (2016)
Book Talk: From the Shadows, R. Gates, C-Span (1996)

Documentary

The Spymasters, Showtime (2015)

Curatorial

Pocket History of CIA, CIA (2014)

Primary Sources

Biden Speech on 75th Anniversary of the CIA (2022)
Robert Gates on CIA and Openness (1992)
Nomination of Gates to be DCI (1991)
Adm. Roscoe, First CIA Director Dies (1982)
CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947)
National Security Act (1947)

Wildcard Resource

North by Northwest (Hitchcock, 1959)
We hear the first explicit mention of “CIA” in a major movie
“FBI. CIA. ONI. We’re all in the same alphabet soup.”

"CIA Reports Officer, Russian Yacht Watcher, Satirist” – with Alex Finley

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Alex Finley (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss life as a CIA Reports Officer turned author. She lives in Barcelona.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Her take on CIA analysts vs. case officers
Information and disinformation in fact and fiction
Ukraine, the 2016 election and the Russian historical playbook
The regularity even mundanity of much of daily intelligence life

Reflections

Being an American in Barcelona
Viewing your own country from outside the goldfish bowl

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Alex Finley spent 6 years in the CIA as a Reports Officer - whom she describes as a bridge between the case officers and analysts. She is author of a trilogy of novels on the exploits of fictional CIA officer Victor Caro. Her most recent book, Victor in Trouble, completes the series (…or does it?) by looking at Russian influence operations and the contemporary intelligence landscape through a satirical lens.

She now lives in Barcelona, Spain - and yes, apparently it’s as awesome as it sounds! – and she is the voice behind #YachtWatch, which tracks and exposes the activities of Russian oligarchs and their superyachts.

And…

Satire is often described as fitting into three categories: Horatian, which offers light comedy and social commentary (e.g., Pride & Prejudice, Parks & Rec, The Colbert Report); Juvenalian, a darker and more abrasive take that can often take the form of speaking truth to power (e.g., Animal Farm, American Psycho, South Park) and Menippean, which casts moral judgement on beliefs or generic character flaws (e.g., Alice in Wonderland, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Saturday Night Live). Which one does Alex use?

Quote of the Week

"There, there were points where I found myself in the middle of nowhere, West Africa. And there are these moments where…how did I end up here? This makes zero sense. And then there were the bureaucratic Catch-22s." – Alex Finley.

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

Who are the Russian Oligarchs? (2022)
A great visulacapitalist.com infographic - but if you want to go understand how they can afford their superyachts, start here

SpyCasts

CIA Officers Turned Authors – David McCloskey & James Stejskal (2022)
NSA, CIA, Author - Alma Katsu (2021)
Victor in the Rubble – Alex Finley (2016)

Beginner Resources

A Brief History of Spy Fiction, Stella Rimington, Crime Reads, (2018) [short essay]
An Introduction to Satire, Jackson School District (n.d.) [2-page guide]
Russia’s Top Five Disinformation Narratives, State (2022) [webpage]

Books

Victor in Trouble, A. Finley (Smiling Hippo, 2022)
The Revenge of Power, M. Naim (St. Martin’s, 2022)
Active Measures, T. Rid (Picador, 2021)
The Misinformation Age, C. O’Connor & J. Weatherall (YUP, 2020)
Victor in The Jungle, A. Finley (Smiling Hippo, 2019)
Victor in The Rubble, A. Finley (Smiling Hippo, 2016)
Great Spy Stories from Fiction, A. Dulles (Harper, 1969)

Articles

The Russian Firehose of Falsehood, C. Paul & M. Matthews, RAND (2016)
Yellow Journalism, PBS (n.d.)

Videos

The Spy Writers You Love to Read, SPY (2019)
Russian Active Measures: Past, Present & Future, CSIS (2018)
The Strategy Behind Russia’s Disinformation Campaigns, DW News (n.d.)
Meet the KGB Spies Who Invented Fake News, NYT (n.d.)

Reports

Combatting Targeted Disinformation Campaigns, DHS (2019)

Primary Sources

Disinformation: Russian Active Measures, Senate Intelligence Committee (2017)
KGB Active Measures in SW Asia in 1980-82, Wilson Center

Primary Source Collections

Rumor Control Project Documents, Library of Congress

Wildcard Resource

A Clockwork Orange (1962) [novel]
A short, sharp satire that ruminates on the nature of society and free will – it will stay with you for a long time to come

"The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist" – with Dexter Ingram.

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Dexter Ingram (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his varied career. He has a very cool private collection of spy gadgets.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What spy gadget he would save if his house were on fire
How the hunt for a spy artifact “gets his blood pumping”
Using intelligence to achieve concrete policy objectives
His preference for Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) while working with international partners

Reflections

Vulnerability and trust
Building and leveraging relationships

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Dexter Ingram is the Acting Director at the Office of the Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and in his spare time a passionate collector of intelligence artifacts and gadgets.

He has performed a variety of roles at the Department of State – he was on a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, he was a Counterterrorism Coordinator at Interpol in Lyon, France, and has a deep interest in counterterrorism, counterproliferation and WMD. He was formerly a Naval Flight Officer and White House Intern with the US Navy and has studied at Hampton University, University of Oklahoma, and the National Defense University.

In part of our ongoing effort to look at consumers of intelligence as well as producers - i.e., who eats the sausages as well as who makes them - we touch on the various parts of Dexter’s career that intersect with intelligence.

And…

Hampton University, where Dexter studied for his undergrad, is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) in the United States. It sits near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay (incidentally on the same peninsula as “The Farm,” a covert training facility for CIA operations officers). Many leaders of the black community have attended HBCU’s, such as Booker T. Washington (Hampton), W.E.B. Du Bois (Fisk), Martin Luther King (Morehouse), Jesse Jackson (North Carolina A&T), and Kamala Harris (Howard).

Quote of the Week

"It's about real people. These are real gadgets better than the movies. It gets my blood pumping." – Dexter Ingram on collecting artifacts.

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Shall We All Commit Suicide?” (1924)
One of Churchill’s most powerful and prophetic essays on the destructive powers unleashed by modern science

SpyCasts

Spy of the Century Kim Philby & Artifacts (2022)
ISIS Leader Al Mawla – Part 1 (2022)
ISIS Leader Al Mawla – Part II (2022)
Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco (2008)

Beginner Resources

100 Years of Intl. Police Cooperation, Interpol (2014) [video]
Our History, Interpol (n.d.) [website]
Nuclear Proliferation & Nonproliferation: What you Need to Know, CFR (2019) [video]

Books

The Terror Years: Al Qaeda to ISIS, L. Wright (Penguin, 2017)
Black Flags: Rise of ISIS, J. Warrick (Doubleday, 2015)
Policing the World: Interpol, M. Anderson (Clarendon, 1989)

Articles

“Islamic State’s Khorasan Vision in Asia,” L. Webber & R. Valle, The Diplomat, (2022)
“Red Notices,” Interpol (n.d.)

Video

Deadly Evolution of Nuclear Weapons, Tech Insider, YouTube (2017)
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty: What you Need to Know, CFR (2015) [video]
Sailing in the Sea of OSINT, S. Mercado, CSI (2004)

Documentary

Nuclear Tipping Point, NTI, YouTube (2010)

Interactives

A Guide to Open-Source Nuclear Detection Work, NTI (2020)

Resource sites

OSINT Techniques

Primary Source Collections

Historical Documents, Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS)

Wildcard Resource

A BBC News Program and Nuclear War (2019)
“Today” is Britain’s highest profile current affairs radio program, and it has been on air since 1958 - a few consecutive days without it and Britain could launch a nuclear counterstrike. Read more here.

“POW’s, Vietnam and Intelligence” – with Pritzker Curator James Brundage

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

James Brundage (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss prisoners-of-war and intelligence. He is the Curator at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The intelligence dynamics of “prisoners-of-war”
Tap codes and other ways to covertly communicate
Using POWs for propaganda
Debriefing POWs after their release

Reflections

Comparing across time (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc.)
Comparing within time (German/Japanese/American POW camps during WWII)

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

What intelligence questions are generated when we discuss “prisoners of war”? The prisoner’s side asks: what happened? Are they alive? If so, where? What did they know? Can they compromise operations? Can we get them out? The other side asks: what do they know? Can they tell us anything we don’t know? Are they misleading us? The prisoner asks: where are we? Are there any friendlies? Can we share information to escape?

To answer these questions, this week’s guest is James Brundage who curated the May 22-Apr 23 exhibit, “Life Behind the Wire: POW” which explores life in captivity. He is a public historian who has also worked at the Obama Presidential Library, the Chicago History Museum & the James Garfield Historic Site.

And…

Jeremiah Denton Jr. was shot down while leading an attack over North Vietnam in 1965 and the title of his memoir, When Hell Was in Session, gives you an idea of what he endured during his captivity. As part of a propaganda campaign, the North Vietnamese arranged for him to be interviewed by a Japanese reporter. Hi blinked T-O-R-T-U-R-E in Morse code. Needless to say, the intelligence community took great interest in the video footage. He passed away in 2014.

Quote of the Week

"So roughly 1% of the POW population perished in Europe at the hands of the Germans versus in Japan…the death rate was almost 40%. A lot of that was the conditions of the camp…in Vietnam, of the more than 700 American POWs, there were 73 who perished in POW camps in North Vietnam, which is roughly 10%." – James Brundage

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

The Railway Man: A POW’s Searing Account, E. Lomax (Norton, 2014)
A powerful, powerful memoir. Lomax had nightmares about his WWII experience for over half a century.

SpyCasts

Operation Chaos – Matthew Sweet (2018)
Eavesdropping in Vietnam – Tom Glenn (2012)
Studies & Observations Group – Donald Blackburn (2012)
Intelligence Lessons from Vietnam – Rufus Phillips (2009)

Beginner Resources

The Vietnam War Explained in 25 Minutes, The Life Guide (n.d.) ([video]
Intelligence in the Vietnam War, Vietnam War 50th [posters]
POW’s: What You Need to Know, ICRC (2022) [webpage]

Books

Spies on the Mekong, K. Conboy (Casemate, 2021)
War of Numbers, S. Adams (Steerforth, 2020)
Tap Code, C. Harris & S. Berry (Zondervan, 2019)

Articles

Meet the Hero: Douglas Hegdahl, Milliken Center (n.d.)
OSS’s Role in Ho Chi Minh’s Rise, B. Bergin, SII 62/2 (2018)
Intel. Support to Comms. with POWs in Vietnam, G. Peterson & D. Taylor, SII 60/1 (2016)
Takes on Intelligence and the Vietnam War, C. Laurie, SII 55/2 (2011)

Documentaries

The Vietnam War, K. Burns & L. Novick (2017)
The Fog of War, R. McNamara (2003)
Hearts & Minds, P. Davis (1974)

Oral Histories

Primary Sources

POW/MIA Closed Briefing, DD CIA (1991)
Report on US-Vietnamese Talks on POW/MIAs (1985)
Causes, Origins & Lessons of the Vietnam War (1972)
The POW Scandal in Korea (1954)

Wildcard Resource

Interestingly, philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein, John Paul Sartre, Paul Riceour, Emmanuel Levinas and Louis Althusser were all POWs – now, the impact this had on their thinking would be one hell of a rabbit hole to go down!

“The Beverly Hills Spy” – with The Hollywood Reporter’s Seth Abramovitch

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Seth Abramovitch (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the British war-hero who spied on behalf of the Japanese during Hollywood’s Golden Age. This is a story-and-a-half, by jingo!

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

How a British war-hero became a spy for the other side
Japanese espionage in Tinseltown
How the story involves Boris Karloff, Charlie Chaplin and Yoko Ono’s father
The spy ring’s activities before and after Pearl Harbor

Reflections

Playing the game for yourself vs. for a country or a cause
Hubris & Nemesis

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Sqn. Ldr. Frederick Rutland, AM, DSC and Bar, was the first person to fly a seaplane from a ship in history. He was also the first man to spot the German fleet from his seaplane, thereby precipitating the largest naval battle of the First World War, the Battle of Jutland.

After leaving the military because of indiscretions with a fellow officer’s wife, he tries to live an ordinary vanilla life, but still craves his action-packed days of old…ultimately, he is approached by the Japanese to spy on their behalf, which leads him to relocate to LA during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

To discuss this doozy of a story, I am joined by Seth Abramovitch from The Hollywood Reporter – i.e., the definitive interpretive voice of the entertainment industry – where he has worked for ten years.

And…

There are some incredible Hollywood movies from the interwar period, capturing some of the tension and suspicion of the era, as well as the faint drumbeat of approaching war. Hitchcock alone had, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), The 39 Steps (1935), Sabotage (1936), and Foreign Correspondent (1940). Major stars of the era such as Marlene Dietrich, Great Garbo, and Madelaine Carroll helped solidify the spy genre with movies such as Dishonored (1931), Mata Hari (1931), and I Was a Spy (1933). Don’t forget Fritz Lang’s Spione (1928), which has been called a, “marvel of narrative economy in montage.”

Quote of the Week

"At the very bottom of the list, it would be any kind of allegiance to any flag, because he's quick to offer to turn on Japan when push comes to shove at the very end of the whole story. I don't think he was doing it for any kind of nationalism or political, viewpoint. I think if anything he was apolitical." – Seth Abramovitch.

Resources

Headline Resources

“Beverley Hills Spy” Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter (2022)

Andrew’s Recommendation

Reel vs. Real CIA – The Americans, Argo, Black Panther, and the Good Shepherd

SpyCasts

“Russia Upside Down” – with Creator of The Americans Joe Weisberg (2022)
“The Courier” – the Director’s Take with Dominic Cooke (2021)
“Hollywood Spies” – with Jonna Mendez (2020)
“U.S. Naval Intelligence in WWII” – with Rear Admiral Donald Mac Showers

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Beginner Resources

Spy for Japan, T. Bradbeer, Historynet (2022) [webpage]
The Pacific War, WELT (2021) [video]
FBI Raid Japanese Spy Network in LA, Smithsonian Channel (2019) [video]

Books

Intelligence & the War Against Japan, R. Aldrich (CUP, 2000)
The Emperor’s Codes, M. Smith (Bantam, 2000)

Articles

“Agent Shinkawa Revisited,” R. Drabkin & B. Hart, IJIC, 35/1 (2022)
The 1924 Law That Slammed the Door on Immigrants, Smithsonian Magazine (2020)
Washington Naval Conference, 1921-22, Historian, State Dept. (n.d.)
Russo-Japanese War, 1904-5, Historian, State Dept. (n.d.)

Primary Sources

“Security Service Files, Frederick Rutland” – National Archives (U.K.):
1924-1933
1933-1935
1935-1936
1935-1937
1937-1941
1941
1941-1942
1942
1942-1943
1943-1944

Wildcard Resource

Reel-vs-Reel
How Hollywood compares to the real CIA
The Americans
Argo
Black Panther
The Good Shepherd

“The Information Battlespace” – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Bill Parquette (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Denial and Deception. They discuss examples such as D-Day, the Yom Kippur War, and the Persian Gulf War.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Denial and deception – what it is and why it matters
Key examples of denial and deception
Detecting denial and deception operations
How to avoid seeing monsters everywhere

Reflections

How to counter denial and deception in everyday life (children, salespeople, etc.)
Stumbling into new roles in new fields

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Sun Tzu said, “all warfare is based on deception” and so much of the natural world is also based on denial and deception: camouflage, feigning, mimicry, distraction. It is also a feature of our daily 21st century lives: spyware, trojan horses, catfishing, and spear phishing.

With this week’s guest we look at the Denial and Deception Committee, which aimed to discover and mitigate foreign denial and deception operations against the U.S. by coordinating efforts throughout the IC.

Bill Parquette was a former Chair of the Committee. He joined the Committee in 2002 and left in 2015. He was formerly a Lt. Col. In the U.S. Army, starting his career with 10 years in the 82nd Airborne, and is currently Professor of Practice at Penn State University.

And…

The episode looks at deceiving others but the human capacity for self-deception and denial is VAST – from head in the sand, plugging your ears, living in denial, willful ignorance, and cognitive dissonance through to doublethink.

Quote of the Week

"If I have an audience of one or 100, I ask does anyone have children? And the hands get raised. And then I said, okay, did you teach your child deception or denial? And of course not. Do they conduct denial or deception? And they all said yeah, it's throughout nature, it's throughout society…it's a natural thing to deny. I didn't mom I didn't take that cookie." – Bill Parquette

Resources

Headline Resources

Bill Parquette’s list of of acronyms and sources
“Countering Foreign Denial & Deception – Rise of Fall of a Discipline” – J. Bruce, Studies in Intelligence, 64/1 (2020)
“Denial & Deception Issue,” American Intelligence, 32/2 (2015)

Andrew’s Recommendation

“D-Day Would be Nearly Impossible to Pull Off Today,” D. Lupton, WaPo (2019)

SpyCasts

“Deceiving the Iraqis in Operation Desert Storm” – with BGen Tom Draude (2013)
“Agent Garbo” – with Stephan Talty (2012)
“Identity, Espionage and Social Media” – with Thomas Ryan (2011)

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Beginner Resources

Deception at D-Day, Army Uni. Press (2022) [video]
The True Story of the D-Day Spies, BBC (2014) [video]
Operation Bodyguard Map, Eisenhower Foundation (n.d.) [map]

Books

History of the National Intelligence Council, Hutchings &. Treverton, eds. (OUP, 2019)
Practice to Deceive, B. Whaley (NIP, 2016)
The Watchman Fell Asleep, U. Bar-Joseph (SUNY, 2005)
The Deceivers, T. Holt (Scribner, 2004)
Deception 101, J. Caddell (Army War College, 2004)
Strategic Denial and Deception, Godson & Wirtz eds. (Transaction, 2002)
Deception in War, J. Latimer (Overlook, 2001)

Videos

The War in October, Al Jazeera (2013)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Movies to explore on deception include Deception (1946), The Sting (1973), The Usual Suspects (1995), Donnie Brasco (1997), Female Agents (2008) and Operation Mincemeat (2021),

“CIA Officers Turned Authors” – with David McCloskey & James Stejskal

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

David McCloskey (Twitter; Website) and James Stejskal (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss writing about espionage. They are both former intelligence officers.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What it is like writing spy fiction as a former practitioner
How fact informs fiction
Writing as a former analyst compared to as a former operator (James)
Reactions by the intelligence community to practitioners-turned-authors

Reflections

The heaven and hell of being an author
The process of getting a process

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Hear two intelligence formers discuss life as current novelists.

Where does fact end, and fiction begin when you are a former CIA officer writing fiction? What parts of your own story bleed into the novel? Are the characters composites of people you knew in your line of work or are they entirely fictional?

To answer these questions and more, this week, I sat down with David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and author of Damascus Station, a book David Petraeus described as “the best spy novel I have ever read,” and James Stejskal, author of Appointment in Tehran, which has been called “a textbook clandestine operation involving…US Army Special Forces and a clandestine CIA Case Officer,” which James would know something about, since he was both.

And…

Spy fiction received quite the blow in the space of a 6-month period (Dec 2020-May 2021) which saw the passing of both John Le Carre and Jason Matthews, two formers who served in British and American intelligence. Le Carre was in MI5 and MI6 while Matthews had a long career in the CIA. David and James join a distinguished cast of formers who became novelists, including Ian Fleming, Graham Greene and Dame Stella Rimington.

Quote of the Week

"There are far more edits on, short articles I wrote that weren't even going to the president than on the book, so your writing is being critiqued at all levels. I I think when I did write for the PDB [Presidential Daily Brief], I don't think I'm making this up, I believe it was 9 or 10 layers of review. You could probably argue that sometimes that makes it worse, but you have to be able at all stages to roll with the punches and to write and to try to make things very clear." – David McCloskey.

Resources

Headline Resources

Damascus Station, D. McCloskey (2021)
Appointment in Tehran, J. Stejskal (2021)

Andrew’s Recommendation

The Looking Glass War, J. Le Carre (1965)
Le Carre doubles down on disabusing the public’s romanticization of intelligence

SpyCasts

“Snake Eaters, Detachment A, CIA” – James Stejskal (2022)
“American Spy” – Lauren Wilkinson (2021)
“Red Widow” – Alma Katsu (2021)
“American Traitor” – Brad Taylor (2021)
“The Evolution of Spy Fiction” - Wesley Wark (2011)

Beginner Resources

15 Best Espionage Novels, M. Warwick, Mal Warwick On Books (2022) [article]
Novelists Who Became Spies, C. Cumming, Crime Reads (2019) [article]
Best Spy Novels According to a Spy, A. Katsu, Crime Reads (2021) [article]

Books

Missions of the SOE and OSS in WWII, J. Stejskal (Casemate, 2021)
Special Forces Berlin, J. Stejskal (Casemate, 2017)
On Writing, S. King (Scribner, 2010)
Spy Fiction, Spy Films & Real Intelligence, W. Wark (Routledge, 1991)

Articles

Nine Examples of Spy Fiction Books, Masterclass (2021)
How to Write a Spy Thriller, Masterclass (2021)
How End of Cold War Changed Spy Fiction, J. Ciabattari, BBC Culture (2014)

Videos

All the Old Knives, O. Steinhauer, SPY (2022)
Spy Writing in the Real World, Hayden Center (2021)
The Spy Writers You Love to Read, SPY (2020)

Primary Sources

American Observer, CIA (1970)
Barry Farber Show, CIA (1970)

Wildcard Resource

The Riddle of the Sands, E. Childers (1903)
An early spy novel that presaged the anti-German “spy fever” that struck allied countries before and during WWI

“Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer” – with Janosh Neumann

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Janosh Neumann (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss life in the FSB. He was born in the Soviet Union to parents in the “business.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Why Jan defected to the United States
How you get recruited and trained as a Russian intelligence officer
What it is like to recruit and run agents in Moscow
His take on what he did for the Russian state

Reflections

Learn to connect with anybody
Making a life-changing and potentially life-ending decision

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Have you ever wondered how a Russian intelligence officer is trained? Ever wondered what it would be like to be a defector? Ever wondered what it’d be like to be given three choices, shoot yourself, get shot, or go on the run?

If so, you’ll enjoy this week’s episode with Jan Neumann, who was born Alexy Yurievich Artamonov in the former Soviet Union.

Jan’s father was a KGB internal affairs officer, and he would go on to join one of its successors, the FSB, or Federal Security Service, in which his wife also served. He speaks about a number of projects he is involved in, here in the States, where he now resides.

And…

Jan is the Co-Founder of RealSpyComics, which will be the first independent comic publisher dedicated to telling true intelligence stories. The International Spy Museum is a partner on this venture, because if there is one thing, we have a lot of – its spy stories!

Quote of the Week

"I'm not a big fan of ballet, but one of my sources was a big ballet fan. So, I had to go to the Bolshoi Theater, watch this again, and again, and again, I had to do some learning to be able to talk to the guy. And same thing was happening with the art as well. so going to some galleries and talk to the people, be sure that they're using at least same terminology as they are, to be able in the future to support the conversation, be interesting to this person whom you're trying to approach." – Janosh Neumann

Resources

Headline Resources

Russian Spy, American Defector: with Janosh Neumann, YouTube, 2020
“Almost American, 1-5,” Aftershock Comics (2021-22)

Andrew’s Recommendation

Russian Intelligence, K. Riehle (NIU, 2022) [download entire book here for free)

SpyCasts

“Dealing with Russia” – Jim Olson (2022)
“KGB Spy & NCIS Agent” – Jack Barsky & Keith Mahoney
“The Spymaster’s Prism” – Jack Devine (2021)
“The Corrupted State” – Ilya Zaslavskiy (2016)

Beginner Resources

Introduction to the Three Main Arms of Russian Intelligence, Globe & Mail (n.d.) [video]
Putin, Power & Poison: Russia’s Elite FSB Spy Club, BBC (2018) [article]
From Spy to President: Rise of Putin, Vox (2017) [video]
Federal Security Service (FSB), Britannica (n.d.) [article]

Books

Putin’s People, C. Belton (William Collins, 2021)
Return of the Russian Leviathan, S. Medvedev (Polity, 2019)
Near & Distant Neighbors, J. Haslam (FS&G, 2016)
The New Nobility, A. Soldatov & I. Borogan (Public Affairs, 2010)

Memoirs

Spymaster: My 32 Years in Espionage Against the West O. Kalugin (Basic, 2009)
Special Tasks: A Soviet Spymaster, P. and A. Sudoplatov (Little Brown, 1994)

Articles

How Two Russian Defectors Helped the FBI, B. Denson, Newsweek (2016)
Russian Defectors in Oregon, C. McGreal, Guardian (2015)

Videos

Lubyanka Federation: How the FSB Determines the Politics and Economics of Russia, Atlantic Council (n.d.)
Washington Station: My Life as a KGB Spy, Y. Shvets, C-Span (1995)

Primary Source Collections [All Wilson Center]

Wildcard Resource

KGB Members from Ahmed to Yuri, courtesy of Marvel Comics!

“The Spies Who Came in From the Cold” – with Chris Costa and John Quattrocki at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Chris Costa (LinkedIn; Website) and John Quattrocki (LinkedIn; Website) join Andrew to discuss coming in from the Cold War. They both had long illustrious careers in intelligence.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Two Cold War intelligence experiences
Two perspectives on the U.S. intel. community in the 80’s & early 90’s
Two reflections on the art and science of counterintelligence
Two perspectives on serving on the National Security Council

Reflections

Career bookends
“Inadequate war termination”

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The Windy City Episode.

The Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) in Chicago is well worth a visit. Located on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan – there’s three additional attractions right there – you will not be disappointed. SPY teamed up with PMML to put on what would become this week’s episode.

To discuss coming in from the Cold War intelligence landscape, Executive Director of SPY Chris Costa and AFIO board member John Quattrocki sat down for a panel discussion with Andrew.

Chris, a former intelligence officer of 34 years with 25 of those in active duty in hot spots such as Panama, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, is also a past Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the NSC. John retired from the Senior Executive Service (SES - 4) as a Special Agent of the FBI with 19 years of operational experience against the Soviet Union/Russia, the Warsaw Pact, East Asia, Islamic extremist groups, and domestic terrorism. He also served on the NSC as the Director of Counterintelligence Programs.

And…

Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s mission is to “increase the public’s understanding of military history.” The International Spy Museum’s mission is to “educate the public about espionage and intelligence.” As you can see, then, in the military-intelligence-espionage national security continuum, we are pretty much as good a partnership as it gets.

Quote of the Week

"The government has seen the counterintelligence (CI) resources as a kind of a human capital escrow account to draw on for other elements to the government. And in, so doing, we have started to lend our CI bodies to the private sector. So, we are providing indirect cost support to the private sector for their CI responsibilities, rather than causing them to acquit all their own CI responsibilities." – John Quattrocki

"I was not entirely satisfied with the idea of being between wars, because we were trained as infantry men. Our job was to prepare to go to war. And then I said, you know what? I wanna fight against our adversaries on a different plane, multilevel chess, if you will. And that's what brought me into the intelligence business." – Chris Costa

Resources

Headline Resource

Video of the live event featuring Chris & John at PMML in Chicago, YouTube

SpyCasts

"The FBI Way" - Frank Figliuzzi (2021)
“Army Intelligence” –Mary Legere (2016)
“The CI Professional” – John Schindler (2016)

Beginner Resources

Cold War Overview, Khan Academy (n.d.)
HUMINT vs. Counterintelligence, Clearance Jobs (2020)

Books

To Catch a Spy, J. Olson (GUP, 2019)
U.S. Army CI Handbook (Dept. of Army, 2013)
Double Cross, B. McIntyre (Crown, 2013)

Articles

The Best Books on Counterintelligence, J. Olson, Shepherd (n.d.)
An Anatomy of Counterintelligence, A.C. Wasemiller, SII (1994)
Terms & Definitions of CI, FAS (2014)

Website

Counterintelligence, FBI

Primary Sources

National CI Strategy, 2020-22 (2020)
The Spy Who Loved Her (1994)
A Review of US CI (1986)
Church Committee Report (1976)
Summary of the “CIA Family Jewels” (1975)

Wildcard Resource

“Gerontion,” T.S. Elliott (1920)
This poem is the origin of the phrase often associated with CI: “the wilderness of mirrors.”

SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Alexis Albion (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Kim Philby using some of his personal belongings as prompts. This episode on the Soviet mole inside MI6 coincides with SPY’s 20th Anniversary.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Why Philby has been called “The Spy of the Century”
Philby the man, the ideologue, the spy, and the traitor
Philby’s corrosive effect on Cold War British and American intelligence
The cultural blind spot that allowed him to hide in plain sight then ride a storm of suspicion

Reflections

Psychological complexity and contradiction
Social stratification

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The Cambridge Five are some of the most notable and notorious traitors in British history, and among them one man stands out in a way that has led some to call him, “The Spy of the Century,” MI6 officer Kim Philby. How did a quintessential Englishman who came from the “right” stock and went to the “right” schools become a Soviet mole? How did a genial chum come to haunt the corridors of British and American intelligence like a ghastly apparition?

Dr. Alexis Albion is this week’s guest and the Curator of Special Projects at the International Spy Museum. She was formerly on the 9/11 Commission Report, the World Bank and the U.S. Department of State.

In this is a first of a kind podcast, Alexis and Andrew sat down with some of Philby’s personal belongings drawn from our world-leading collection of artifacts on espionage and intelligence.

And…

Harold Adrian Russell Philby acquired the nickname “Kim” from the main character in Rudyard Kipling’s novel Kim, an orphan-boy-cum-spy in British India. Kim and Philby also have the Punjab in common, the novel begins in Lahore and Philby was born in Ambala, although the historic region was partitioned between Pakistan and India in 1947. The drive between Lahore and Ambala is roughly similar to that between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Quote of the Week

"So why is he The Spy of the Century? Maybe the fact that he's not identified with any particular event or set of information [e.g., unlike Julius Rosenberg], but he's identified with this idea of betraying his Englishness is perhaps why he's been such a lasting figure because he almost is a touchpoint for the history of the 20th century and England. Great Britain's demise is a great power."

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

My Five Cambridge Friends, Y. Modin (FS&G, 1994)
A one-time KGB handler of the Cambridge 5 reflects on each of them as spies and as individuals

SpyCasts

Stalin’s Englishman: Guy Burgess – with Andrew Lownie (2016)
The British the Joint Intelligence Committee – with Mike Goodman (2014)
The Real History of MI6 – with Keith Jeffrey (2010)
The Cambridge 5 – with Nigel West (2009)

Beginner Resources

Facts About Kim Philby, J. Hayes, Factinate (n.d.)
Reading Material Culture [i.e., objects] (2020]
India’s Partition in Pictures, BBC (n.d.)

Books

Spies & Traitors, M. Holzman (Pegasus, 2021)
A Spy Among Friends, B. McIntyre (Crown, 2015)
Kim, Rudyard Kipling (1901)

Articles

The Punjab Partition, S. Sultan, LSE (2018)
Philby & Mistrust, M. Gladwell, New Yorker (2014)

Documentary

Why Was India Split into Two Countries, H. Roy, TED-Ed, YouTube (n.d.)
MI6 Agent Turned Russian Spy, Philby, Timeline, YouTube (n.d.)

Primary Sources

Philby, I Spied for Russia from 1933 (1967)
My Silent War, K. Philby (1967)
The Disappearance of Kim Philby (1963)
Kim Philby (Peach): File 1 (1951-52)
Constituent Assembly of India (1946)

Primary Source Collections

Indian Independence & Partition, UK National Archives

Wildcard Resource

Surnames & Social Mobility in England, 1230-2012
So, you thought social mobility in England has changed significantly since the Norman Conquest almost 1000 years ago – well, yes, and NO!

“Dealing with Russia” – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Jim Olson (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Putin and Russia. He had a 31-year career with the CIA including a tour in Moscow.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His views on Russia and its trajectory since the Cold War’s end
His frank assessment of Putin and admiration for the Russian people
His time in Moscow with 3 rotating KGB teams surveilling him
His time as Chief of Station in the city of spies Vienna

Reflections

A “beautiful marriage” with American technology
Passing the generational baton

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

“James Olson is a legend in the clandestine service,” not my description of this week’s guest, but that of former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Jim spent 31 years in the CIA, including tours in Moscow, Vienna & Mexico City, and rose to become Chief of CIA Counterintelligence. He is the author of Fair Play and To Catch a Spy.

He joined Andrew to speak about Russia. He speaks the language, spent time living and working in the country, where he was involved in one particularly daring operation that he shares with us in the episode, and he faced off against the organization that would go on to become the current SVR and FSB – the KGB.

Jim has had Vladimir Putin on his radar for many a year, and he doesn’t pull any punches reflecting on his trajectory in this episode.

And…

Jim grew up in a small town in Iowa where, “we didn’t really follow international affairs, we joked among ourselves…if it didn’t affect the price of corn, we weren’t really interested.” My, how things changed for Jim.

Quote of the Week

"I have tremendous respect for the Russian people. They are long suffering. I've gotten to know many Russians. I've worked with a lot of Russians. I found them to be people who had a real soul. They had a human qualities that I could admire, but they were locked into a repressive regime that did not allow them to express any of those human sentiments that that they felt." – Jim Olson

Resources

Headline Resource

To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. Olson (GUP, 2019)
Fair Play: The Moral Dilemmas of Spying, J. Olson (Potomac, 2008)

SpyCasts

“The Spymaster’s Prism” – with Jack Devine (2021)
“Russians Among Us: The Hunt for Putin’s Spies” – with Gordon Corera (2020)
“The Corrupted State” – with Ilya Zaslavskiy (2016)
“Putin’s End Game in Ukraine” – with KGB General (Retd.) Oleg Kalugin (2014)

Beginner Resources

To Catch A Spy with J. Olson, C-SPAN (2020) [9:44 minutes]
The Best Books on Counterintelligence, J. Olson, Shepherd (n.d.)
Putin’s Revisionist History of Russia and Ukraine, I. Chotiner, New Yorker (2022)

Books

Putin’s People, C. Belton (Picador, 2022)
Operative in the Kremlin, F. Hill & C. Gaddy (Brookings, 2015)
One Soldier’s War in Chechnya, A. Babchenko (Portobello, 2008)

Articles

Former CIA Leader Said LinkedIn is Like a Candy Store to China, C. Burgess, ClearanceJobs (2022)
New Documentary Series Explores Pollard Affair, H. Brown, Jerusalem Post (2022)
J. Olson First Recipient of “The Spirit of Aggieland – 41 Award,” J. Adams, KAGS (2022)
Ex-CIA Chief on Accused Chinese Spymaster, P. Christian, WCPO (2021)

Videos

To Catch A Spy with J. Olson, Houston World Affairs Council (2020)

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

What Classic Russian Literature Can Teach us about Putin’s War on Ukraine
Putin is a big fan of Dostoevsky – who underwent a mock execution & four years of hard labor in Siberia for belonging to a literary discussion group feared by the Tsarist autocracy.

4th of July Special: “The Wall of Spies Experience” – Espionage, Sabotage and Betrayal in America with John Gise

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

John Gise joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the Wall of Spies Experience. It features over 200 stories of espionage and sabotage in America since 1776.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

America’s first Spymaster
The Founding Father of American Counterintelligence
The New Yorker who adopted a Southern accent so she could spy on the Confederacy
The escaped enslaved man who was described as a “walking order of battle chart”

Reflections

Educating a workforce on its past
Dreaming about history

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The Wall of Spies Experience features over 200 stories of espionage, sabotage and betrayal from American history. The physical wall is a private museum on an intelligence community facility, but the second installment of the Digital Wall of Spies has recently been released. Thus far we have the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, with WWI coming up next.

Whether you want to get a sense of the evolution of espionage in America, dork out on a particular historical period, or just have a browse – we are sure you will agree that this National Counterintelligence & Security Center (NCSC) sponsored exhibit is a welcome contribution to the public’s understanding of the history of intelligence and espionage.

This week’s guest is John Gise, for whom the Wall of Spies was a labor of love. He has had a number of different roles across the US government, including a stint in Special Forces, but for now, spies from American history are with him while awake…and while asleep.

And…

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t visit the Statue of Liberty’s torch, you need to listen to the teaser John provides at the end of this episode on the next installment of the Digital Wall of Spies (we’ll give you a clue…it’s the opposite of White Jerry).

Quote of the Week

"We've now posted online…the digital revolutionary war spies, the digital civil war spies…And we're talking in the revolutionary war about 30 continental army spies and British spies…for the civil war, it's about 25 Union spies and Confederate spies. And many of those spies are also Scouts, right? Collecting information, going behind enemy lines, conducting reconnaissance missions and collecting intelligence for their superiors." – John Gise.

Resources

Headline Resource

The Wall of Spies Experience (Digital)

SpyCasts

Books

The Creation of American Military Intelligence in the Civil War, P. Tsouras (Casemate, 2018)
Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War (GUP, 2014)
The Secret War for the Union, E. Fishel (Houghton, 1996)

Articles

Audacious Confederate Spies, G. Brockell, WaPo (2022)
The Wall of Spies, M. Rosenwald, WaPo (2019)
Intelligence Agency Unveils New Weapon to Deter Spies – A Museum, J.J. Green, WTOP (2019)

Primary Sources

John McEntee to George H. Sharpe [Charley Wright’s intel on location of Lee's army] 1863)
Lincoln and the Baltimore Plot – Pinkerton Papers [Kate Warne] (1861)
The Federalist Papers: No:64 (John Jay, 1788)
Minutes of the Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies (1778-1781)
Benedict Arnold Letter to John André (1780)
John André Letter to Joseph Stansbury [for Benedict Arnold] (1779)
Letter, George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge (1779)

Wildcard Resource

Fraunces Tavern, New York City
If you want to connect to Revolutionary War espionage, grab an ale, a seat by the fire, and muse (they also have a museum!)

“Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy” – Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood [from the vault]

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Vikram Sood (Twitter, Blog) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in the world’s largest democracy. He was the chief of India’s Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW).

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The intelligence landscape in India
China, Pakistan, and the intelligence challenges in the region
The founding and evolution of the Research and Analysis Wing
The pressure involved in the top job and being responsible to the Prime Minister

Reflections

The power of narratives
Spies can be sensitive souls too

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

This is the final installment of our month long special on SPY CHIEFS, featuring Vikram Sood. former Director of India’s foreign intelligence agency, the Research & Analysis Wing (RA&W). This episode from the vault was recorded during the darkest days of the pandemic when the International Spy Museum was closed, infections and deaths were sky high, and Andrew was at home in his living room with Vikram at his in New Delhi.

So, is the R&AW similar to the CIA or MI6 or both? Does it have a covert action capability? How focused is it on China and Pakistan? Who does the Director report to? To hear the answers tune in to listen to an Indian Spy Chief who was in office in the critical years 2000-2003.

Vikram was in the intelligence business for more than thirty years, since leaving as the professional head of India’s foreign intelligence agency he went on to have a successful second career at the think-tank, Observer Research Foundation, which is based in New Delhi. He is the author of two books (see below).

And…

Depending on the source, India has more, a little less, or roughly the same number of Muslims as Pakistan. An incredible fact when you consider that Pakistan is generally in the top five for having the largest population in the world. In fact, India has a larger population than the United States, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil and Nigeria combined.

Quote of the Week

"There is immense tension in the job because anything can go wrong any day and you will be held responsible if there is another bomb blast somewhere else. But if the leadership is supportive and it's understanding, and also contributes to helping you decide things, takes decisions for you that need politically clearances. That helps a lot that takes away the anxieties, it keeps the blood pressure down." – Vikram Sood

Resources

Headline Resource

The Ultimate Goal: R&AW Chief Deconstructs how Nations Construct Narratives (Harper India, 2020)
The Unending Game: A Former R&AW Chief’s Insights into Espionage (Penguin, 2018)

Beginner Resources

[Video] How Was R&AW Started: Story of India’s External Intelligence Agency, WION (2022)
[Article] RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations, Yatish Yadav, New Indian Express (2020)

Books

The War that Made R&AW, A. Nandakumar (Westland, 2021)
JFK’s Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA and the Sino-Indian War, B. Riedel (BIP, 2015)
Intelligence Elsewhere, P. Davies & K. Gustafson (GUP, 2013)
The Kaoboys & R&AW, B Raman (Lancer, 2012)
India’s External Intelligence, V.K. Singh (ManasPub, 2007)

Articles

History of RAW, Sachidananda Mohanty, Frontline (2022)
A Peek Into India’s IB and RAW, Amjed Jaaved, Pakistan Today (2022)
Inside R&AW, Rahul Bedi, The Wire: India (2020)
Quiet Americans in India, P. McGarr, Diplomatic History, 38(5), 2014 (1046-1082)

Videos

Ex-Israel Spy Chief Talks Intelligence Cooperation with India, The Quint, YouTube (n.d.)
Ex R&AW Chief Vikram Sood Gives a Glimpse of the World of Spies, The Quint, YouTube (n.d.)

Wildcard Resource

“The James Bond of India”
Real-life spy Ajit Doval who spent years undercover in Pakistan
He is currently the National Security Advisor of India!

SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Ellen McCarthy (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her career and time as head of the State Department’s intelligence agency. INR is one of the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Her start as a Soviet submarine analyst in the Office of Naval Intelligence
Bringing the U.S. Coast Guard intel. program into the Intelligence Community (IC)
Working for DoD and Geospatial-Intelligence
Why she admires the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR)

Reflections

Government/for-profit/non-profit life
Managing complexity and change

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Imagine seeing a pyramid from different angles and different heights instead of from one vantage point? You get a better sense of what it truly looks like, its dimensions, colors, idiosyncrasies, and the shadows it casts, right?

Ellen McCarthy has seen more of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) pyramid than most: she started as a junior analyst for the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Intelligence and ended up as the head of the State Dept.’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR). Along the way, she was with the U.S. Coast Guard, in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, and at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Quite the journey, I am sure you will agree…

And…

INR has been called the “biggest little intelligence shop in town” and its morning intelligence summary, “Better than Wheaties.” The NYT called it the “least wrong” intelligence agency on Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and it has been credited for a more accurate assessment of Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russia than its peers. “They get paid attention to because they’re good and they tend to be contrarian,” notes a former chair of the National Intelligence Council. How do they manage this? Well, big question, but the deep, deep expertise of their staff – who are on average on their regional or functional area for over a decade – as well as an “intolerance for mediocrity” would be good places to start.

Quote of the Week

"The Geographer of the United States sits in INR. I don't think a lot of people know that. So, when there's a boundary dispute or you've got countries trying to build islands, it's INR that's actually working what the legal boundaries are. The other thing that INR does that a lot of folks don't know about is polling. Polling in the intelligence community is conducted at INR…And I will tell you that the polling capability at INR is the best I've ever seen." – Ellen McCarthy

Resources

SpyCasts

“State Department Intelligence: Inside the INR” – INR Leadership (2020)

Beginner Resources

Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Wikipedia [webpage]
Learn About the Smallest Organization in the IC, YouTube (n.d.) [1:45 minute]
Geographer of the United States, YouTube, (2011) [13:24 minute]

Books

“Intelligence Informs Policymaking at DoS: INR,” T. King in T. Juneau, ed. Strategic Analysis in Support of Policymaking, R&L (2017), pp. 95-110.
Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis & National Security, T. Fingar, SUP (2011)
INR, Intelligence & Research at State, U.S. DoS (1973)

Article

The U.S. Intelligence Community Needs a ‘Wild Bill’ Moment, E. McCarthy & M. Scott, Cipher Brief (2021)

Video

SPYCHAT: Ellen McCarthy & Chris Costa, YouTube (2021)
The New IC: Ellen McCarthy Keynote, YouTube (2019)
FedMentor: NGA’s Ellen McCarthy, YouTube (2014)

Primary Sources

INR: 2025 Strategic Plan (2022)
Oral History with Teresita Schaeffer (1998)
Oral History with Thomas F. Conlon (1992)
Oral History with Frank Burnet, (1990)
Oral History with Daniel Zachary (1989)

Wildcard Resource

The Ralph J. Bunche Library
State Dept. Library named after OSS intelligence analyst, diplomat & Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Bunche

SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Her start as a Soviet submarine analyst in the Office of Naval Intelligence
Bringing the U.S. Coast Guard intel. program into the Intelligence Community (IC)
Working for DoD and Geospatial-Intelligence
Why she admires the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR)

Reflections

Government/for-profit/non-profit life
Managing complexity and change

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Quite the journey, I am sure you will agree…

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

SpyCasts

“State Department Intelligence: Inside the INR” – INR Leadership (2020)

Beginner Resources

Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Wikipedia [webpage]
Learn About the Smallest Organization in the IC, YouTube (n.d.) [1:45 minute]
Geographer of the United States, YouTube, (2011) [13:24 minute]

Books

“Intelligence Informs Policymaking at DoS: INR,” T. King in T. Juneau, ed. Strategic Analysis in Support of Policymaking, R&L (2017), pp. 95-110.
Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis & National Security, T. Fingar, SUP (2011)
INR, Intelligence & Research at State, U.S. DoS (1973)

Article

The U.S. Intelligence Community Needs a ‘Wild Bill’ Moment, E. McCarthy & M. Scott, Cipher Brief (2021)

Video

SPYCHAT: Ellen McCarthy & Chris Costa, YouTube (2021)
The New IC: Ellen McCarthy Keynote, YouTube (2019)
FedMentor: NGA’s Ellen McCarthy, YouTube (2014)

Primary Sources

INR: 2025 Strategic Plan (2022)
Oral History with Teresita Schaeffer (1998)
Oral History with Thomas F. Conlon (1992)
Oral History with Frank Burnet, (1990)
Oral History with Daniel Zachary (1989)

Wildcard Resource

The Ralph J. Bunche Library
State Dept. Library named after OSS intelligence analyst, diplomat & Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Bunche

SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mike Burgess (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his agency and the enduring strength of Australia’s alliances. ASIO is the second intelligence agency he has directed.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Australian idea of “mateship” in the intelligence context
The Australian intelligence landscape
The United States as its most important strategic alliance
The enduring value and historical uniqueness of the FIVE EYES alliance

Reflections

How Man. Utd. might help us understand leadership
The frustrations of watching spy fiction on TV as a practitioner

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The top job: what is it like? what are the joys and pains of leadership? This is not like leading a business, though, or a soccer team, this is protecting the country and its citizens from terrorism, espionage, sabotage, and external interference. Such is the charge of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO).

To address these questions, Andrew sat down with Mike Burgess, who was formerly the Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), comparable to GCHQ and the NSA – an agency would serve in for over 20 years. They also discussed the Australian intelligence landscape and its most important alliances, such as the U.S. and FIVE EYES and some of its important regional relationships.

And…

Mike and Andrew hit it off, especially when discussing Alex Ferguson and how soccer can help us understand management and leadership. Ferguson won more titles in soccer than any other manager, at 49, and he is generally considered the GOAT or a strong contender. Of course, trophies are extremely important, but they do not capture everything. If you are looking for an example of transformational change of an entire organization and its subsequent culture, HBS could do a lot worse than draft a case study on the legendary leadership of Liverpool F.C. by Bill Shankly. He made people believe.

Quote of the Week

Talking about FIVE EYES, that's one of those foundational partnerships in our relationships…It's unique because…it was born through WWII. It's an interesting phenomenon because it started its life as a signals intelligence relationship…at its core, it's an intelligence relationship that really has made a difference to each of those five nations’ respective national security…And we do trust each other, and we share our most intimate secrets.

Resources

SpyCasts

“Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets” – with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)
“Desperately, Madly in Love” – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC (2021)

Beginner Resources

Australian Intelligence Community, Wikipedia [webpage]
Australian Security and Intelligence Organization (ASIO) [Website]
Why I Spy, M. Burgess, YouTube (n.d.) [60 second video]
Intelligence Professionals FAQ, ASIO, YouTube (n.d.) [2:32 minute video]

Virtual Exhibition

Spy: Espionage in Australia (NAA)

Books

Spies & Sparrows: ASIO & the Cold War, P. Deery (2022)
Between Five Eyes, A. Wells (2020)
Intelligence & the Function of Government, D. Baldino & E. Crawley (2018)
The Official History of ASIO – 3 Volumes, D. Horner, J. Blaxland, R. Crawley (2014/2015/2016)

Report

Intelligence Oversight: A Comparison of the FIVE EYES Nations, C. Baker et.al., Parliament of Australia (2017)

Primary Sources

Director-General’s Annual Threat Assessment (2022)
Foreign Espionage: An Australian Perspective, ASIS DG (2022)
ASIO Internal Message on Vietnam War (1970)
Surveillance of the Aarons, Communist Party Australia (1966)
Counterespionage Film, ASIO (1963)
Citizenship for former Soviet Spies, Petrovs (1956)

Wildcard Resource

Sydney vs. Melbourne: The Real Canberra Story
If you’ve ever wondered why Canberra is the capital…

“My Life Looking at Spies & the Media” – with Paul Lashmar

Tue, 31 May 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Paul Lashmar (Twitter, Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss investigative journalism and intelligence. He is a former UK Reporter of the Year.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The similarities and differences between spooks and journalists
The role Watergate played for his generation of journalists
Intelligence overseers as “Ostriches,” “Cheerleaders,” “Lemon-suckers,” or “Guardians”
Bellingcat, Spycatcher and the “Zinoviev Letter”

Reflections

The long shadow of the Second World War
Investigative journalism in democratic societies

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

“Cardiac stimulating experiences,” is how this week’s guest describes meeting sources in smoky IRA pubs in Belfast all on his lonesome. But he also met sources in the oak-paneled clubs of Whitehall and in many other places around the world. So, what has our guest distilled from his long career examining intelligence agencies? What are the types of relationships spooks and journalists have had with one another? What are the similarities and differences between both tribes?

To answer these questions and more, Andrew sat down with investigative reporter and current Head of the Dept. of Journalism at City, University of London, Paul Lashmar. Paul has worked across the media landscape, as a producer for the BBC, as a broadcast journalist with British current affairs television program World in Action, and as an investigative journalist for the Observer newspaper. He won Reporter of the Year in the 1986 UK Press Awards. He is the author of Spy Flights of the Cold War, Britain’s Secret Propaganda War, and most recently Spies, Spin and the Fourth Estate.

And…

World in Action was a legendary investigative TV program in the U.K. It’s programming led to the resignation of a Home Secretary, one of the Great Offices of State in the UK; the release of the Birmingham Six, who were wrongfully convicted of planting IRA bombs; and the exposure of Combat-18, a violent neo-Nazi movement. It would also publish the original story of the Spycatcher allegations that the head of MI5 was a Soviet mole and that there had been a joint MI5-MI6 plot to overthrow Labor Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Paul co-wrote that 1984 episode. For all these reasons and more, it was rarely out of the courts. The last series was broadcast in 1998.

Quote of the Week

"They would meet you in an up-market club in the center of London…it's leather Chesterfields, gentleman walking around getting your gin and tonic. It was all of that, in those days it was all informal…there are now in most newspapers, somebody who is usually appointed by the editor who maintains those connections… it's a sensible arrangement." – Paul Lashmar

Resources

Headline Resource

Spies, Spin and the Fourth Estate, P. Lashmar (EUP, 2021)

SpyCasts

The Women of NatSec Journalism – 6 Leading Journalists (2017)
Covering Intelligence (2015)
Part 1: with Mark Mazzetti
Part 2 – with Ali Watkins
Part 3 – with Greg Miller

Books

Zinoviev Letter, G. Bennett (OUP, 2020)
Spies and the Media in Britain, R. Norton-Taylor (IBT, 2018)
Spinning Intelligence, R. Dover and M. Goodman (CUP, 2009)
Spycatcher, P. Wright (Viking, 1987)

Beginner Articles

UK Officials Still Blocking SpyCatcher Files, Guardian (2021)
The Zinoviev Letter, FT (2018)
When Spy Agencies Didn’t Exist, BBC (2014)

Articles

Why Good Investigative Journalism Matters (2022)
Obituary: Peter Wright, Independent (1995)

Documentary

“World in Action,” YouTube (n.d.)

Primary Sources

The Spy Who Never Was [World In Action] (1984)
Moscow Orders to Our Reds [Daily Mail Accusation] (1924)
Zinoviev Denies Writing Letter (1924)
Zinoviev Narrative of Facts [TUC & Labour Party] (1924)

Wildcard Resource

“Amazon to Darien, Atlantic to Pacific” – Intelligence in Colombia with former Head of its Navy Admiral Hernando Wills

Tue, 24 May 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Admiral Hernando Wills Velez (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Colombia. He is the former professional head of the Colombian Navy.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

What it is like to be the head of an entire Navy
Intelligence from the point of view of a senior military officer
The unique set of challenges Colombia faces – insurgents, terrorists, paramilitaries, drug-cartels, etc.
The role intelligence played in the daring Operation Jacque

Reflections

The blessings and curses of geography
Capacity building in organizations

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

To hear more about his remarkable career as former professional head of the Colombian Navy, and to discuss Colombia and intelligence, Andrew sat down with Admiral Hernando Wills Vélez.

Colombia and its navy must reckon with a unique combination of challenges – including Marxist insurgents, right-wing paramilitaries, drug cartels, crime syndicates, and a vast and diverse territory. To sum up, it is a remarkably fascinating case-study for the role intelligence might play.

Admiral Wills was also the commander of the Pacific Fleet, head of the Colombian Coast Guard, and a former aide de camp to the President of Colombia. His father was a career military officer who served in the Korean War with the Colombian Navy. He is an NDU graduate.

And…

“Operation Jacque.”

This episode coincides with a pop-up exhibit at our museum on a 2008 Colombian intelligence-led operation to rescue 15 hostages held for many years by the FARC, a Marxist guerilla group who were involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and terrorism. 3 Americans and 12 Colombians were rescued, including a candidate for the Colombian presidency. Bottom line: all the hostages were freed from deep within the rainforest without a single shot being fired. Intelligence baby, intelligence.

Quote of the Week

"Time goes so fast. I joined the Navy when I was 15 years old, very young. I finished high school. in the Naval academy. And then you start your regular business as a young lieutenant in ships and destroyers and positions on land. And all of a sudden, you see yourself as an admiral. I mean, it's a crazy thing…[then] I had the privilege to be selected by the president to lead the Columbia Navy." – former Head of Columbia's Navy Admiral Hernando Wills.

Resources

Headline Resource

“Operation Jacque,” International Spy Museum, Spring-Summer 2022

Books

Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History, M. Larosa & G. Mejía (R&L, 2017)
Out of Captivity: Surviving 1967 Days in the Colombian Jungle, M. Gonsalves, et al. (W. Morrow, 2009)

Beginner Articles

Colombia Profile – Timeline, BBC (2018)
Colombia – CIA World Factbook, CIA (2022)
Colombia Marks One Year Anniversary of Jaque, Reuters (2009)
Colombia – Navy, Global Security (n.d.)

Articles

Anchoring the Caribbean: The Colombian Navy, W. Mills, Stable Seas (2021)
Colombia & Operation Jacque, L. Collins, Modern War Institute (2021)
Plan Colombia and the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group, K. Higgins, Taylor Francis (2021)
Plan Colombia: Effectiveness & Costs, D. Mejía, Brookings (2016)
Globalization & FARC, J. Forero, USAWC (2013)
FARC: A Portrait of Insurgent Intelligence, J. Gentry & D. Spencer, INS (2010)

Videos

FARC Hostage Rescue Video – Operation Jacque, CBS (2008)

Primary Sources

Revocation of Terrorist Designation for FARC, A. Blinken, State (2021)
Plan Colombia – Staff Trip Report, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2005)
Plan Colombia, U.S. Role – Hearing, House Subcommittee on the W. Hemisphere (2000)
NSC 1 – Carter Panama Canal Directive (1977)
Letter to U.S. Senators From Carter – Panama Canal (1977)

Wildcard Resource

One Hundred years of Solitude (novel), Embrace of the Serpent (movie), or Adventures of an Orchid Hunter (travel memoir) – take your pick!

“Peter Earnest Memorial: Spook, CIA Spokesman, Spy Museum Director – [from the vault]

Tue, 17 May 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Peter Earnest spent 35 years in the CIA as a case officer and retired as its chief spokesman. He was the founding Executive Director of the International Spy Museum.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Losing a friend in the line of duty vs. betrayal by a colleague
Using affability to your advantage
Thoughts on the shift from classic espionage to counterterrorism for the CIA
The relationship between the CIA, the press and the public

Reflections

The origins of the International Spy Museum
The role museums can play in fostering a sense of collective identity & esprit de corps

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

May 21st, 2022. The date of the Memorial Service at the International Spy Museum for Peter Earnest, the founding Executive Director of the museum and a 35-year veteran of the CIA and. In honor of him, his week’s episode is an exit-interview he recorded with my predecessor, Vince Houghton, not long after Peter announced his retirement from the museum.

Peter was a case officer at CIA for 25 years, largely in Europe and the Middle East, recruiting and running agents, and getting involved in covert actions, counterespionage, and double agent operations. He later went on to work in the Inspector General’s office and as the CIA’s Senate liaison, concluding his career as the CIA’s chief spokesman.

What is it like being a nice guy in the murky world of intelligence? How does a tight-lipped case officer make the transition to chief spokesman? How did a museum on espionage and intelligence end up in Washington D.C.?

Peter Earnest died on February 13, 2022. He will be sorely missed.

And…

Peter wrote the foreword for a 2011 edition of Boy Scout founder Robert Baden-Powell’s classic book, My Adventures as a Spy, featuring chapters such as “Commercial Spying,” “Traitorous Spying,” and “How Spies Disguise Themselves.” The only CIA officer who came through the ranks to become Director, Robert Gates, was an Eagle Scout, as was the only Director of both the CIA and the FBI, Judge William Webster.

Quote of the Week

"There's a broad respect from museums by the American public they're distrustful of almost everything else, but the trust in museums is high, and so I think it's a place that some of those senior professionals refer to. If they've come down, they feel, it's, doing good work." – Peter Earnest

Resources

Headline Resource

TRIBUTE: CIA Veteran Who Helped Launch the Spy Museum, Dies at 88, International Spy Museum, YouTube (2022)

*SpyCasts

Peter Earnest: My Life in the CIA (2012)

Articles

In Memoriam, Peter Earnest, 1934-2022, SPY (2022)
CIA Veteran who Ran a Spy Museum, Dies at 88, NYT (2022)
CIA Veteran Who Helped Launch Spy Museum, Dies at 88, H. Smith, WaPo (2022)
Family of Spies, Washingtonian Magazine (2013)

Books

The Real Spy’s Guide to Becoming a Spy, P. Earnest (Harper, 2009)
Business Confidential: Lessons for Corporate Success from Inside the CIA, P. Earnest & M. Karinch (AMACOM, 2010)
Harry Potter and the Art of Spying, P. Earnest & S. Harper (Wise Ink, 2014)

Primary Sources

Soviet Defector Arkady Shevchenko Dies, WaPo (1998)
Emily A. Earnest, Consular Office Obituary, WaPo (1994)
CIA Officer Richard Welch Murdered in Athens, CIA (1975)
CIA COS Richard Welch Murdered in Athens, Counterspy Magazine Blamed for his Death, British Pathe (1975)

Wildcard Resource

Colbert Classic, Spy Training with Peter Earnest, Comedy Central (2013) Go to 3:31

“America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen" – with Lis Wiehl

Tue, 10 May 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Lis Wiehl (Twitter, Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the FBI Agent Robert Hanssen. His espionage for the Russians was described as the “worst intelligence disaster in U.S. history.”

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The many contradictions of this fragmented personality
The criminal sworn FBI Agent
The sexual fetishist in Opus Dei
The anti-communist Soviet spy
Hanssen’s impact on the FBI and American Intelligence
How the Hanssen case effected the FBI-CIA relationship

Reflections

Technology’s impact on the espionage/counterespionage cat-and-mouse game
Cultural and institutional blind spots

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

The International Spy Museum has the handcuffs that were put on one of the most notorious spies in American history, former FBI Agent Robert Hanssen. But what was the backstory of the moment those metal restraints closed around his wrists in Foxstone Park, Virginia? What did he do? Why did he do it? Who was this man? What damage did he do?

To discuss these questions, Andrew sat down with the author of A Spy in Plain Sight, Lis Wiehl. Lis is a former Federal Prosecutor and a legal analyst and reporter on major news networks, including a 15-year stint at Fox News. She is the best-selling author of 20 fiction and non-fiction books and last but not least she is the daughter of an FBI Agent who heard stories of Hanssen’s betrayal from her father.

Hanssen betrayed “jewel in the crown of American intelligence, Dimitri Polyakov, and other U.S. assets, as well as handing over thousands of pages of highly classified information to the Soviet Union and later Russia.

And…

In the intelligence community compartmentalization is a way to try to protect sensitive information, caveats, codewords, clearances, read ins, need to know, etc., but in the personal context it refers to being capable of being a “different person in terms of outlook, values and behavior at different times and circumstances.” David Charney met with Hanssen for an entire year after his arrest and described him as “the most compartmentalized person I have ever met.” He also mentions that he is a very experienced psychiatrist. Charney says in terms of compartmentalization most of us are a 1-2 on a scale of 10. Guess where Hanssen was?

Quote of the Week

"At one point hacked into one of his colleagues’ computers to get more information, he was found out and his excuse was, I was just trying to show you how easily we're hacked into so that we can make sure that we don’t, and they believed him because he was a computer guy…they just believed him when he hacked in this other person's computer. Crazy." – Lis Wiehl

Resources

Headline Resource

A Spy in Plain Sight, L. Wiehl (S&S, 2022)

SpyCasts

“The FBI Way” - Counterintelligence Chief Frank Figliuzzi
“Leningrad, Molehunts, and Life After the CIA” - Christopher Burgess (2021)
“Defending a Spy, An Espionage Attorney” - Plato Cacheris (2015)
“The Movie Breach and Hollywood’s Take on Espionage” – Eric O’Neill (2007)
“FBI Counterintelligence and the Robert Hanssen Spy Case” – Dave Major (2007)

Books

New History of Soviet Intelligence, J. Haslam (FS&J, 2015)
Spy Handler, V. Cherkashin, (Basic, 2008)

Articles

Spy Who Kept Cold War Cold – Polyakov, History (2019)
Spy Psychology/Insider Spies, NOIR (2014)
Death of the Perfect Spy – Polyakov, Time (2001)

Videos

Charney on What Makes Traitors Tick? SPY (2014)

Primary Sources

Witness to History at SPY, Hanssen Investigation (2013)
Review on FBI Performance Detecting Hanssen, OIG (2003)
A Review of FBI Security Programs, Webster Commission (2002)
Sandy Grimes Interview on Polyakov (1998)

Wildcard Resource

Inside the Supermax Prison (Florence, Colorado)
Hanssen is here alongside Harold James Nicholson, El Chapo, Ramzi Yousef and Terry Nichols

“CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer” – with Mike Susong (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 03 May 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mike Susong (Website; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss CIA, cyber and corporate intelligence. He won the Intelligence Star for Heroism in the Field.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Applying aspects of Mike’s training to the private sector using “competitive intelligence”
Mike’s role co-founding a pioneering company in the field of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)
The role of technology in enabling and constraining espionage
What drew Mike to an annual free-thinking social experiment in the desert

Reflections

Entrepreneurial thinking as unwavering belief in an idea
The difference between working for Uncle Sam and working for corporate America

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Andrew sat down with W. Michael Susong for a two-parter to discuss CIA, cyber and Burning Man. Last week in PART I we looked at Mike’s time working for the CIA and in the domain of human intelligence, while in PART II we will focus on his time as an entrepreneur and intelligence leader in the cyber threat intelligence and competitive intelligence spaces.

Mike was a U.S. Army major who completed multiple combat tours and a CIA case officer. He went into the private sector and created competitive intelligence programs for Fujitsu and Ernst & Young, and he was a pioneer in the field of cyber threat intelligence or CTI, creating the first programs for Visa and Pacific Gas & Electric. He is both CISM and CPP certified and a Black Rock Ranger.

And…

Black Rock Rangers are volunteers at Burning Man, an annual event that focuses on artistic expression, spiritual regeneration, and radical inclusion. It culminates in the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy, known as “The Man.” If you want to explore the event or the ideas that propel it, including its roots in the Californian counter-culture and its Silicon Valley connections, you can do so here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Quote of the Week

"I worked with, with two corporations to build competitive intelligence programs, for them…I want to emphasize that's the ethical application of certain aspects of the intelligence cycle, to support a business decision. So, this was more on the analysis piece, some on collection, and certainly when you start to speak of collection within a private sector environment, you have to have clear, bright lines aloud about what is and is not acceptable." – Mike Susong

Resources

Headline Resource

Application of Intelligence Principles to Raise IT Security, M. Susong, YouTube (2012)

*SpyCasts

From the CIA to Strategic Cyber – Hans Holmer (2022)
Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – Inside Microsoft’s MSTIC (2022)

Articles

Start a Competitive Intelligence System that Wins, P. Mertens, Sprout Social (2022)
Gathering Competitive Intelligence From Twitter, S. Argawal, Startup Grind

Websites

Competitive Intelligence Resources, SCIP

PBR (Projects, Briefs, Reports)

2022 State of Competitive Intelligence, SCIP/Crayon (2022)
CTI: Applying Better Terminology to Threats Intelligence, A. Greer, SANS (2021)
Understanding Cyber Threat Intelligence Operations, Bank of England (2016)

Courses

Cyber Threat Intelligence, SANS
Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Intelligence Academy

Podcasts

Cyber Threat Intelligence, Hacking Humans (2020)
Intelligence Operations: A First Principle of Cybersecurity, CSO Perspectives (2022)

Video

2022 State of Competitive Intelligence, YouTube (2022)
A CEO’s Perspective on Intelligence, Report Linker (2020)

Primary Sources

Letter to CIA Deputy Director on Competitive Intelligence (1986)

Wildcard Resource

The Whole Earth Catalog (1968)
Steve Jobs called it “the bible of his generation” and links have been made between it and Silicon Valley, Cyber, and Burning Man.

“CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer” – with Mike Susong (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Mike Susong (Website; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss CIA, cyber and corporate intelligence. He won the Intelligence Star for Heroism in the Field.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The outgrowth of “intelligence” from a nation-state activity to a corporate activity
Recruiting and running agents as a CIA case officer
His shift from tactical intelligence to strategic intelligence
His journey from a curious kid with a short-wave radio to an intel professional

Reflections

Effective decision-making and intelligence
The opportunities and challenges of working in different fields and domains

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

What is it like to do intelligence for Uncle Sam and then for the private sector? What is different and what is similar? How did intelligence go from supporting national security decision-making to business decision-making?

To answer these questions, Andrew sat down with W. Michael Susong for a two-parter. PART I will focus on Mike’s time working for the CIA and in the domain of human intelligence, while PART II will focus on his time in the as an entrepreneur and intelligence leader in the cyber threat intelligence and competitive intelligence spaces.

And…

Quote of the Week

"It’s analogous to business. So, there's closers, people who are really the salesman…but then they're not good at the kind of that long-term relationship, reassuring, working over time…And so I would say that there are case officers who are better at spotting and recruiting, and there are case officers that are better at handling." – Mike Susong

Resources

Headline Resource

Application of Intelligence Principles to Raise IT Security, M. Susong, YouTube (2012)

*SpyCasts

From the CIA to Strategic Cyber – Hans Holmer (2022)
Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – Inside Microsoft’s MSTIC (2022)

Articles

Start a Competitive Intelligence System that Wins, P. Mertens, Sprout Social (2022)
Gathering Competitive Intelligence From Twitter, S. Argawal, Startup Grind

Websites

Competitive Intelligence Resources, SCIP

PBR (Projects, Briefs, Reports)

2022 State of Competitive Intelligence, SCIP/Crayon (2022)
CTI: Applying Better Terminology to Threats Intelligence, A. Greer, SANS (2021)
Understanding Cyber Threat Intelligence Operations, Bank of England (2016)

Courses

Cyber Threat Intelligence, SANS
Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Intelligence Academy

Podcasts

Cyber Threat Intelligence, Hacking Humans (2020)
Intelligence Operations: A First Principle of Cybersecurity, CSO Perspectives (2022)

Video

2022 State of Competitive Intelligence, YouTube (2022)
A CEO’s Perspective on Intelligence, Report Linker (2020)

Primary Sources

Letter to CIA Deputy Director on Competitive Intelligence (1986)

Wildcard Resource

The Whole Earth Catalog (1968)
Steve Jobs called it “the bible of his generation” and links have been made between it and Silicon Valley, Cyber, and Burning Man.

“El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence” – with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Noah Hurowitz (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss infamous drug kingpin El Chapo. A weak link in his cybersecurity set-up would help bring him down.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

El Chapo’s internal surveillance operation
The cartel’s use of cryptography to keep communications covert
How cybersecurity enabled then brought down El Chapo
The role of the infamous DFS – a corrupt and now disbanded intelligence agency

Reflections

Technology – early adopters vs. counter responders
The changing nature of crime enabled by emerging technologies – spyware, drones, etc.

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

Headline Resource

El Chapo, N. Hurowitz (S&S, 2021)

SpyCasts

Drug Cartels, Sleeper Cells, the Waco Siege & the Mob - Dennis Franks (2021)

Books

Dope: History of the Mexican Drug Trade, B. Smith (W.W. Norton, 2021)
Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs & Cartels, I. Grillo (Bloomsbury, 2021)

Articles

Drugs, Crime and the Cartels, CFR (2021)
The Tech that Took Down Pablo Escobar, Wired (2021)
Mexican Cartels Cyber Surveillance, C. Schilis-Gallego, Forbidden Stories (2020)
Spy vs. Spy, El Chapo Edition, E. Groll, FP (2019)
The Spyware that Brought Down El Chapo, S. Fussell, The Atlantic (2019)

Websites

El Paso Intelligence Project (EPIC)
Centro Nacional De Intelligencia (CNI)

PBR (Projects, Briefs, Reports)

Mexico: Evolution of the Merida Initiative, C. Seelke, CRS (2021)
Mexico Organized Crime and Drug Traffickers, J. Beittel, CRS (2020)

Primary Sources

Primary Source Collections

The Mexican Intelligence Digital Archives (MIDAS)
Inside The Cartel: Key Documents (LAT)

Wildcard Resource

“The Original Indigenous People of Sinaloa”
To understand Joaquín Guzmán Loera, starting at the year of his birth, 1957, might be enough; but to understand “El Chapo” it might help to go deeper still…

"ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch." – with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Daniel Milton (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the former Caliph of the Islamic State. Al Mawla was killed in a U.S. raid in February 2022.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The origin of the term “Canary Caliph”
The mythology of Islamic State and the reality
Battlefield intelligence and understanding an enemy
The Combating Terrorism Center being on the radar of terrorists

Reflections

The presentation of “self”
The relationship between organizational priorities and organizational hierarchies

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Daniel Milton joins us again to discuss a series of interrogation reports of Al Mawla, at the time leader of Islamic law in Mosul for the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). ISI was the successor to Al Qaeda in that country and the predecessor of Islamic State (Islamic State is a larger umbrella category, while ISIS, ISKP, etc. come with geographical designations, e.g., Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). Al Mawla gave up the names of over 50 people within his own organization: and that was only in the first 3 of 56 interviews.

One interesting insight you can glean from the documents is that Islamic State while very different from many organizations in many respects, is just like them in others: empire building, clashing personalities, struggles over process, paperwork, committees, territorialism, jealousy, prejudice, insecurity – like The Office, but with much more malevolent intent.

And…

If you want to read a document that captures (a) an important inflection point in the transition from Al Qaeda to Islamic State and (b) was one of the West Point CTC publications captured during the Bin Laden raid, read “Al Qaeda Secedes from Iraq.”

Quote of the Week

"I think we get a sense of it as an organization that exists and has similar struggles as any other organization does. Having said that, clearly, it's a clandestine organization, and so one of the overriding imperatives is security. Individuals are trying to stay alive and not get arrested or killed. And that affects a little bit of the way that you carry out business. I do think that you also see some element of the things that you described. There is competition. There are people who don't like each other." – Daniel Milton

Resources

Headline Resources

Books

Enemies Near & Far, D. Gartenstein-Ross (CUP, 2022)
The ISIS Reader, Ingram et al. (Hurst, 2020)
The Rise of Global Jihad, T. Hegghammer (CUP, 2020)
Foreign Fighters in the Armies of Jihad, D. Byman (OUP, 2019)
Anatomy of Terror, A. Soufan (W.W. Norton, 2017)
The Far Enemy, F. Gerges (CUP, 2005)
Best Books on the Middle East (Five Books)

Articles

ISIS Leader Quraishi Kills Himself, Al-Khalidi & Bose, Reuters (2022)
ISIS’S Leadership Crisis, H. Ingram and C. Whiteside, Foreign Affairs (2022)
The Islamic State in Afghanistan, A. Jadoon et al., CTC (2022)
The Cloud Caliphate, Ayad et al., CTC (2021)
Lessons from the Islamic State’s “Milestone” Texts and Speeches, Ingram et al., CTC (2020)
Timeline: The Rise, Spread & Fall of the Islamic State, C. Glenn et al., Wilson Center (2019)

Documentary

Iraq & Syria: After Islamic State, BBC (2018)
Confronting ISIS, PBS Frontline (2016)

Reports

Islamic State’s Method of Insurgency, H. Ingram, GW (2021)

Web

Operation Inherent Resolve

Primary Sources

President Biden on a Successful Counterterrorism Operation (2022)
Cyber Command’s Internet War Against ISIL (2018)
Islamic State Memo for Dealing with New Recruits (2017)
Message to the Mujahidin and the Muslim Ummah, Caliph Al Baghdadi (2014)
The Management of Savagery (2006)
The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)

Wildcard Resource

“Camp Bucca Newsletter #1”
A U.S. forces newsletter from the time-period when Al Mawla was interrogated at Camp Bucca, in the vicinity of Umm Qasr, Iraq.

"ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch." – with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Daniel Milton (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Tactical Interrogation Reports of the former Caliph of the Islamic State. Al-Mawla was killed in a U.S. raid in February 2022.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The ideological feud between Islamic State and Al Qaeda
Islamic State's retreat from a quasi-state centered to a shadowy insurgency
Battlefield intelligence such as “exploitable material” and “interrogation reports”
The role of the Combating Terrorism Center in analyzing this intelligence

Reflections

Training your people for the current fight…and the next one
The trade-off between a short-term view and a longer-term view

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

This week’s episode focuses on battlefield intelligence, or more specifically a series of tactical interrogation reports from 2008.

Ok, so why are they significant? Well, the individual being interrogated, Al Mawla, would go on to become the second leader and so-called Caliph of the Islamic State. Ok, so why are they significant beyond that…well, it turns out that Al Mawla was an informant who gave away colleagues and friends to save his own skin, leading to the nickname, “The Canary Caliph.”

Daniel Milton joined Andrew to discuss these reports and what they mean in the broader scheme of things. Daniel is the Director of Research at the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point, and he has a Ph.D. from FSU. He has been cited in outlets such as The NYT, BBC, and NBC News and he regularly briefs all levels of the Government, including the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.

And…

In February 2022, Al Mawla became the second Islamic State Caliph to blow himself up during a U.S. raid. His predecessor Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi had done so in October 2019. I wonder what will happen to the third Caliph…

Quote of the Week

"I think that's one of my favorite things about looking at this type of material is that it really gives an inside view to organizations that are clandestine and usually not seen very well from the outside, but these documents paint a very vivid picture of struggles, challenges, bureaucratic minutia, whatever the case might be, which is not typically how we think about these organizations, but these documents really allow us to see that." – Daniel Milton

Resources

Headline Resources

Al Mawla Interrogation Reports
CTC Sentinel

Books

Enemies Near & Far, D. Gartenstein-Ross (CUP, 2022)
The ISIS Reader, Ingram et al. (Hurst, 2020)
The Rise of Global Jihad, T. Hegghammer (CUP, 2020)
Foreign Fighters in the Armies of Jihad, D. Byman (OUP, 2019)
Anatomy of Terror, A. Soufan (W.W. Norton, 2017)
The Far Enemy, F. Gerges (CUP, 2005)
Best Books on the Middle East (Five Books)

Articles

ISIS Leader Quraishi Kills Himself, Al-Khalidi & Bose, Reuters (2022)
ISIS’S Leadership Crisis, H. Ingram and C. Whiteside, Foreign Affairs (2022)
The Islamic State in Afghanistan, A. Jadoon et al., CTC (2022)
The Cloud Caliphate, Ayad et al., CTC (2021)
Lessons from the Islamic State’s “Milestone” Texts and Speeches, Ingram et al., CTC (2020)
Timeline: The Rise, Spread & Fall of the Islamic State, C. Glenn et al., Wilson Center (2019)

Documentary

Iraq & Syria: After Islamic State, BBC (2018)
Confronting ISIS, PBS Frontline (2016)

Web

Operation Inherent Resolve

Primary Sources

President Biden on a Successful Counterterrorism Operation (2022)
Cyber Command’s Internet War Against ISIL (2018)
Islamic State Memo for Dealing with New Recruits (2017)
Message to the Mujahidin and the Muslim Ummah, Caliph Al Baghdadi (2014)
Zawahiri’s Letter to Zarqawi (2005)
The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)

Wildcard Resource

“The America I Have Seen”
An account of his time living in the U.S. by theorist of violent jihad Sayyid Qutb.

"The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence" – with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Thomas Leahy (Website; LinkedIn) and Eleanor Williams (Website; Twitter) join Andrew to discuss the intelligence war during “the Troubles.” Thomas lives in Cardiff and Eleanor lives in Belfast.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The Troubles through the lens of intelligence
Some key intelligence players in the Northern Ireland conflict
How the IRA and the British Army adapted organizationally
The role intelligence played in the end of the conflict

Reflections

The fluid nature of motivations and intentions
How historic narratives shape and constrain the here-and-now

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Thomas is the author of the Intelligence War Against the IRA, while Eleanor is a doctoral candidate comparing intelligence use during the Northern Irish and Colombian conflicts.

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

Books

The Intelligence War Against the IRA, T. Leahy (CUP, 2020)
Britain’s Secret War Against the IRA, A. Edwards (Merrion, 2021)
Thatcher’s Spy, W. Carlin (Merrion, 2019)
The Accidental Spy, S. O’Driscoll (Mirror, 2019)
Snitch! S. Hewitt (Continuum, 2010)
Infiltrating the IRA, R. Gilmour (LB&C, 1998)
Fifty Dead Men Walking, M. McGartland (Blake, 1997)
Best Books on the Troubles (Five Books)

Articles

The Murky World of Spying During the Troubles, J. Ware, Irish Times (2017)
Alternative Ulster: How Punk Took on the Troubles, T. Heron, Irish Times (2016)

Audio

MI5 Chameleon Infiltrated New IRA

Documentary

Spotlight on the Troubles: A Secret History, BBC (2019)
The Spy in the IRA, BBC (2017)

Web

Primary Sources

IRA-MI6 Intermediary: Interviews with Brendan Duddy (2009)
Good Friday Agreement (1998)
Downing Street Declaration (1993)
Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985)
Thatcher Speech at Airey Neave Memorial (1979)
IRA Green Book (1977)
PM Wilson & Thatcher discuss N. Ireland (1975)
Secret Meetings Between Government and IRA (1972)
Senator E. Kennedy, Ulster is Britain’s Vietnam (1971)
IRA Reports on Intelligence Informants (1922)
W.B. Yeats, “Easter: 1916” (1921)

Oral Sources

Duchas Oral History Archive (2014)

Wildcard Resource

“Murals of Northern Ireland” (4500+ Photographs)

“The Nuclear Doomsday Machine” – with Sean Maloney on Cold War Emergency Plans

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Sean Maloney (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the secret history of emergency war plans and the nuclear doomsday machine. He was the first Canadian civilian historian to go into combat since WWII.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Top secret emergency war plans for WWIII
The role of human intelligence operations in nuclear doomsday planning
Some key terms you need to understand the nuclear issue
The policy of “massive retaliation” versus “flexible response”

Reflections

Movies to scare yourself by
The best and worst of humanity

Episode Notes

Sean Maloney is a force of nature. The first Canadian civilian historian to go into combat since WWII - he went to Afghanistan eleven times, survived multiple attempts on his life, and two bomb attacks. “I’ve been shot at, rocketed, mortared, all of it.” He is also a Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and the author of more than a dozen books, including the “Rogue Historian in Afghanistan” trilogy, as well as another trilogy in the form of the official history of the Canadian Army in Afghanistan.

He is never happier, though, than when wading through secret nuclear war plans and documents. Coming on the back of Learning to Love the Bomb (2007) and The Secret History of Nuclear War Films (2020), he returns to “Nukes” in Emergency War Plan: The American Doomsday Machine. Sean has been described as intense and unorthodox, but I found him intense and unorthodox.

“Megadeath” is a unit of measurement for nuclear war, equivalent to the death of one million people. It is crazy that as a species we have reached the point where we now have a term for it.

Quote of the Week

"We have public pronouncements…We have the media and academic discussion of the public pronouncements, but then there's the strategy itself. Which is usually highly classified…that's what I'm getting at with the Emergency War Plan book…you can see all the factors that fed into that, including the intelligence and the intelligence directly affects the plan…there is a direct relationship between the intelligence and the targeting, but it's also in terms of collection of information to get the bombers to the target…that's important because, to have a deterrent posture, that's credible, you have to demonstrate that you're capable of carrying it out."

Resources

SpyCasts

The Nuclear Emergency Search Team – Jack Doyle
Nuclear Information Project – Matt Korda
Nuclear Threats – Jeffrey Lewis
Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner – Daniel Ellsberg
Spooks and Nukes – James Acton

Books

Restricted Data: A History of Nuclear Secrecy in the US, A. Wallerstein (UCP, 2021)
The Bomb, S. Kaplan (S&S, 2020)
Raven Rock, G. Graff (S&S, 2017)
My Journey at the Nuclear Brink, W. Perry (SUP, 2015)
The Making of the Atomic Bomb, R. Rhodes (S&S, 1987)
Best Books on Nuclear (Five Books)

Articles

How Many Nuclear Weapons Does Russia Have in 2022? Kristensen & Korda, Bulletin (2022)
Doomsday Clock at 100 Seconds to Midnight, Bulletin (2022)
The Cold Comfort of MAD, J. Castillo, War on the Rocks (2021)

Video

282 Interviews: War and Peace in the Nuclear Age, PBS (1986-89)
Power of Decision, USAF (1958)

Documentary Sources

H. G. Wells – The World Set Free (1914)
W.S. Churchill - Shall We All Committ Suicide? (1924)
Einstein to Roosevelt (1939)
The MAUD Report (1941)
The Quebec Agreement (1943)
Hiroshima, J. Hersey, New Yorker (1946)
The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb, H.L. Stimson, Harpers (1946)
McMahon Act (1946)
Truman Announcing First Soviet Bomb (1949)
Atoms for Peace – Eisenhower Speech (1953)
History of SIOP-62 (1961)
Joint Chiefs of Staff Memorandum (1971)
The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (1977 [1950])
The Effects of Nuclear War (1979)

Oral Sources

Wildcard Resource

Threads, Movie (M. Jackson, 1984)
“Arguably, the most devastating piece of television ever produced”

"So, I Design Board Games for the CIA..." - with Volko Ruhnke

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Summary

Volko Ruhnke (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his life and career in the CIA as an analyst and designer of board games. He is a former World Board Game Champion.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Designing board games to teach CIA analysts
Moonlighting as an award-winning board game designer while working at CIA
Similarities and differences between intelligence analysis and board-games
The difference between role-play games and board-games in training national security professionals

Reflections

Humans are good models of humans
Volko’s journey from Virginia to the CIA via William & Mary and the U.S. Army

And more…

Episode Notes

Volko Ruhnke is a helluva interesting guy. He grew up as an avid board gamer raised on stories of the French and Indian War, which led him to design the 2001 winner of the best pre-WWII boardgame Wilderness War. His time at the CIA after 9/11 then led him to design the 2010 winner of the best post-WWII boardgame Labyrinth, where players were immersed in the operational and ideological aspects of the Global War on Terror. It doesn’t stop there, though, he has also designed a series of counter-insurgency games such as Andean Abyss, which focused on 1990’s Columbia, and Fire in the Lake, a multi-faction treatment of the Vietnam War.

While teaching a new generation of intelligence analysts, Volko combined both of his passions to help them understand the complexity and open-endedness of the real-world via board games. As an analyst himself, Volko looked at the Soviet & Russian military and counter-proliferation, before going on to be Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Science and Technology at the National Intelligence Council, and then on the Presidents Daily Brief (PDB) staff to brief cabinet level officials.

And…

Volko is now a commercial board game designer, and you can get quite a few of his games here – but not all of them. One day historians, one day…

Quote of the Week

"Games allow you to get inside and operate the machine yourself and do experiments and pull a lever or push a button and see what happens. And because it's happening on the tabletop, rather than say, in a computer program, you, you can understand it very well. You can see exactly why what just happened. So, I became among others, a promulgator of, of that particular medium for teaching as well as for analysis." - Volko Ruhnke

Resources

SpyCasts

Books

Storytelling in the Modern Boardgame, A. Arnaudo (McFarland, 2018)
White King & Red Queen: Cold War on the Chessboard, D. Johnson (Mariner, 2008)
Best Books on Play (Five Books)

Articles

All the World’s a Game, C. Hadavas, Foreign Policy (2021)
Digital Version of Counter-Terror Game Labyrinth, J. Bolding, PCGamer (2020)
Winning Edge: Board Game Used by the U.S. Army, P. Suciu, National Interest (2020)
Why the CIA Uses Board Games to Train Officers, S. Larson, CNN (2017)
The CIA Uses Board Games to Train Officers, S. Machkovech, ArsTechnica (2017)
Making Board Games for the CIA, C. Hall, Polygon (2017)
Political Board Games Change View of World, M. Thrower, Guardian (2015)
Volko Ruhnke Has Become a Hero, J. Albert, WaPo (2014)

Video

We Review CIA’s Classified Board Game, Two Bats Gaming, (YouTube, 2018)

Primary Sources

Kingpin: The Hunt for El Chapo (CIA, 2018)
Collection Deck (CIA, 2017)
Whodunnit? (Wapo, 1985)

Wildcard Resource

Lego ® Serious Play ® Game
Used by Fortune 500 companies, unleasher of talent, and serious fun!

"From the CIA to Strategic Cyber" - with Hans Holmer

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Hans Holmer (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his time as a CIA operations officer and his transition to a cyber strategist. He served on every continent except South America and won a CIA Intelligence Star.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

The advantages for a case officer growing up in two cultures and speaking multiple languages before joining the IC
The tech person trained to be a case officer vs. a case officer trained to be a tech person debate
That no amount of technology will make up for a lack of “cyber strategy”
The concept of “digital dandruff”

Reflections

Growing up in Denmark, moving to the US for high school, joining the Army then CIA
Privatizing information gains but collectivizing information losses
What it was like to program back in 1973!

And more…

Episode Notes

Hans Holmer describes the cat-and-mouse of surveillance and counter-surveillance the most fun you can have (a) in public and (b) sober. Ever wondered how you go from a CIA case officer in the Sub-continent, to a technical counterintelligence evangelist who travelled the world, to a cyber strategist living in Vienna, Austria?

To find out, listen to this week’s episode where you’ll find Hans thoughtful and articulate, but I think you will also appreciate his forthright views on corporate data leaks and digital personal responsibility. He originally got in touch to talk about the Operation Silver, the British intelligence operation that covertly tapped the communications of the Soviet Army HQ in Vienna, at SPY we actually have a piece – yes, an actual piece – of the Berlin Tunnel, which was a successor operation – betrayed by communist MI6 officer George Blake – which borrowed heavily from Silver: it was even called Operation Gold!

The monitoring station in Op. Silver was disguised as a tweed clothing shop on the assumption that no one in Vienna would be interested in Scottish clothing! Hans actually tracked down the modern site of the tweed store and is trying to dig (no pun intended) for further information on the operation – can anyone help…?

Quote of the Week

"I've been arguing that the way to improve cyber security in the U.S. is very simple. Any company that loses personally identifiable information, payment card information, healthcare information, HIPAA data, or access to critical infrastructure, has to pay each victim a dollar a day from the beginning of the breach till it's been closed off…the average breach lasts about a hundred days…some of the more recent breaches are a hundred million people. So, imagine a hundred million people who get a dollar a day for a hundred days. Companies would take that seriously."

Resources

SpyCasts

“Operation Gold” - Steve Vogel & Bernd von Kostka (Berlin Tunnel)
“George Blake, Happy Traitor” – Simon Kuper (Berlin Tunnel)
Zero Days – Nicole Perloth Part I and II (Cyber)
“The Cyber Zeitgeist” – Dave Bittner (Cyber)
“Snowden & Surveillance” – Barton Gellman (Cyber)

Books

Betrayal in Berlin, S. Vogel (CH, 2019)
Spymaster – MI6 Chief Oldfield, M. Pearce (Transworld, 2016)
Documents on the Intelligence War in Berlin, D. Steury (CSI, 1999)
Best Books on Cybersecurity (Five Books)

Articles

“Engineering the Berlin Tunnel,” SII (2008)
“Betrayal in Berlin - Review,” WaPo (2019)

Documentaries

The Great Hack, Noujaim & Amer (2019)
Zero Days, A. Gibney (2016)

Education

Cyber Training Series (DNI)
The Danger of Stone Age Habits in a Cyber World (HSToday, 2019)

Primary Sources

Cyber Security Officer (CIA, 2022)
CIA Director Burns - Cyber (WSJ, 2021)
National Cyber Strategy of the USA (WH, 2018)
Interview with CIA Director Brennan - Cyber (NPR, 2016)
The IC’s Role Within Cyber R&D (FAS, 2013)
Remarks by DNI Clapper at HPSCI (DNI, 2011)
Securing Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Stuxnet (HSGA, 2010)
Mail Service of the Soviet Army in Austria (CIA, 1955)

Wildcard Resource

“Technical Counterintelligence Officer,” INTEL.gov

"Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior" - with Ric Prado

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Enrique “Ric” Prado (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new memoir “Black Ops.” One of the most renowned CIA officers of his generation tells his story.

Book

You can buy Ric’s book, Black Ops, and support the International Spy Museum’s mission here.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His time as CIA Counterterrorist Chief of Operations which included 9/11
His career battling communist insurgents and Islamic terrorists on multiple continents
His experience living in “Contra” camps during the Nicaraguan Revolution
His time as Dep. Chief of Station and co-founding member of the Bin Laden Task Force

Reflections

Conquering your emotions to stay focused in a crisis
His journey fleeing the Cuban Revolution as a young boy to CIA via USAF Pararescue

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

And…

Quote of the Week

Resources

SpyCast Episodes

Books

The Reagan Doctrine, J. Scott (DUP, 1996)
The Real Contra War, T. Brown (UOP, 2001)
Insurgency to Stability, “The Philippines,” Rabasa et al., (RAND, 2011)
Shining Path’s Politics of War, C. Degregori (UWP, 2012)
Red Revolution: Philippine Guerillas, G. Jones (Routeledge, 2019)
The Shining Path, Starn & Serna (Norton, 2019)
US Relations with Latin America (Five Books)

Articles

“Shining Path Leader Dead,” BBC (2021)
“Nicaragua Veers to Dictatorship,” J. Cordoba, WSJ (2021)

Documentaries

Nicaragua Was Our Home (L. Shapiro, 1985)
Ballad of the Little Soldier (W. Herzog, 1985)

Primary Sources

President Carter to Somoza (Brown, 1979)
Reagan Covert Ops. Nicaragua (NSA, 1981)
US Aid to Nicaragua (1982)
Reagan Covert Ops. Nicaragua (Brown, 1983)
Goldwater to Casey, “I’m Pissed Off” (Brown, 1984)
Reagan State Of The Union (APP, 1985)
Reagan Address Nicaragua (ReaganLib, 1986)
Contras Lost Congress (WaPo, 1986)
25 Years of the NPA (Hartford, 1994)

Wildcard Resource

The Clash, Sandanista (Album, 1980)

“The National Intelligence University” – with its President Scott Cameron

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

J. Scott Cameron (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the National Intelligence University (NIU). He is the President of this unique “skiffed” institution.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

o The NIU – what it is, what it does, and what it does differently.

o NIU’s position within the American intelligence ecosystem

o How NIU “banks knowledge” without compromising intelligence

o What it is like to be a student in a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS-SCI) research facility

Reflections

o 20th century institutions for 21st century problems

o Scott’s journey from a plant biologist who has been shot at, to his recruitment into the IC at a high school soccer match, to NIU President

And much more…

Quote of the Week

"We do work in secret. So how do you bank knowledge in that kind of a community? All communities that are healthy bank knowledge and learn from it. So, our job is not just to be a classroom, but to be that defender of knowledge building in the community to make sure that we're learning from ourselves, that we understand ourselves and advance our mission by better ideas and then empowering the next generation to take those and equip them with the confidence to go out there and do something with it." – Scott Cameron

Episode Notes

“TS-SCI” is one of the major terms you will hear with regards to American intelligence, but what happens if you cross that with the concept of “the university,” a place that relies on sharing information, pooling knowledge, and the free flow of ideas? To find out how this circle is squared, Andrew sat down with President of the National Intelligence University, Scott Cameron.

The NIU, which is housed at the Intelligence Community Campus Bethesda (ICCB), alongside our friends at the NCSC and quite a few other agencies, is unique in many ways. It is behind “guards, guns, and gates,” you need TS-SCI clearance to apply, and tuition is courtesy of the government. The staff-student ratio is also in the very top tier of the 4000 or so degree granting institutions in the United States. It transitioned from the DIA to the ODNI in June of 2021.

And…

Scott’s grandmother was from Glasgow, as was Allan Pinkerton, Bobby Thompson, Craig Ferguson, and Christina Conte (try her fish n’ chips recipe!). Incidentally, there are many more Glasgow’s in the United States than in Scotland, at 21.

Further Resources

SpyCast Episodes

· Joint Special Operations University President “Ike” Wilson

Virtual Exhibition

· Wall of Spies (ICC-B)

Books

· China’s Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem, R. Uber (2020)

· History of American Higher Ed., R. Geiger (2016)

· Higher Ed. & the Growth of Knowledge, M. Segre (2015)

· NIU’s Role in Interagency Research, Johnson et al. (2013)

Articles

· Eisenhower Signs National Defense Intelligence Ed. Act (Politico, 2018)

· Goldwater-Nichols & the Evolution of JPME (CRS, 2016)

· The Origins of JPME (JFQ, 2005)

Audio

· NIU Moving Under ODNI Umbrella (FedNewsNet, 2021)

Websites

· NIU Degrees (NIU)

· NIU Catalog, 2021-22 (NIU)

· College of Strategic Intelligence (NIU)

· School of Science & Technology Intelligence (NIU)

· Institute for Intelligence Research (NIU)

· IC Centers for Academic Excellence (DNI)

Primary Sources

· The American Scholar, R. Waldo Emerson (Em.Cent., 1837)

· The Idea of a University, J. H. Newham (1852, 1858)

· National Defense Education Act of 1958 (FedEdPolicy)

· Degree Granting Authority for NIU (GovInfo, 2012)

· US Intelligence Community’s Human Capital Vision 2020 (DNI, 2014)

· The National Intelligence Strategy of the US (DNI, 2019)

· NIC - Global Trends 2040 (DNI, 2021)

Wildcard Resource

How to set up a “SCIF,” aka:

· “Technical Specifications for Construction & Management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities” (DNI, 2020)

“Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets” – with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

David Fricker (Website; LinkedIn) had the No.2 job at Australia’s security and intelligence agency ASIO. He sat down with Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the relationship between this role and his most recent one as Director-General of the National Archives of Australia.

What You’ll Learn…

Intelligence

o ASIO, the Australian intelligence landscape and the region

o His role as CIO and then Deputy-Director General of ASIO

o The role major allies & partners play including the US and Five Eyes (FVEY)

o David’s views on intelligence and public trust

Reflections

o David’s abiding interest in the power of information

o The importance of museums and archives in a knowledge society

And much more…

Episode Notes

Ever wondered what it would be like to go from gamekeeper to poacher, spy chief to chief archivist and - as this week's guest said tongue-in-cheek - the “biggest blabber-mouth in the country”?

If the answer is yes, you’ll appreciate this week’s guest David Fricker, who has had all manner of interesting jobs, including a ten-year stint with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), akin to the FBI and MI5, followed by ten years with the National Archives of Australia.

By way of information, the “Australian Intelligence Community” is also comprised of: the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), similar to the CIA; Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), similar to the DIA; the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), similar to the NSA; and Australian Geo-spatial Intelligence Organization (AGO), similar to the NGA; and Office of National Intelligence (ONI), similar to the ODNI.

And…

David was a pretty mean COBOL programmer back in the day, a computer language that grew out of a Department of Defence sponsored program to find a common business language. You can learn it here. It is a legacy software system across the U.S. government and you can command six-figure salaries if you can program in it: any retirement plans David?

Quote of the Week

"I think what the SPY museum does and what I hope we do at the National Archives in Australia, gets back to the public...some of it can be quite entertaining. It can be quite engaging and fun, but the work we do has got a serious message as well. And I think it's to make sure the public in a liberal democracy, the public should know. What espionage, what spycraft is all about." – David Fricker

Further Resources

SpyCasts

o “Desperately, Madly in Love” – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC

o “I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Mike Morell & President Bush

Virtual Exhibition

o Spy: Espionage in Australia (NAA)

Books

o Spies & Sparrows: ASIO & the Cold War, P. Deery (2022)

o Between Five Eyes, A. Wells (2020)

o Intelligence & the Function of Government, D. Baldino & E. Crawley (2018)

o The Official History of ASIO – 3 Volumes, D. Horner, J. Blaxland, R. Crawley (2014/2015/2016)

Articles

o “Strategic Intelligence Practice in the Australian IC,” P. Walsh & M. Harrison, INS, 2021)

o “The Post-9/11 Evolution of an Australian National Security Community,” D. Jones, INS (2016)

o “ASIO Debate”, L. Clohesy, The Conversation (2014)

Audio

o Spymasters & Secret Agents: the Birth of ASIO (ABC, 2022)

o ASIO’s Official History, J. Blaxland (The Conversation, 2015)

Documentary

o Final Rendezvous (ABC, 2020)

Websites

o ASIO (ASIO)

o NAA (NAA)

Primary Sources

o Letter to Petrov from Prime Minister Menzies (1954)

o Royal Commission on Espionage Report (1955)

o ASIO Report on Ric Throssell (1971-74, NAA)

o Report on ASIO (NLA, 1977)

o Australian Intelligence, 1900-1950 (NAA, 1977)

o Soviet Embassy Contact with Members of Parliament (1971-86)

o ASIO Annual Report 2020-21 (2021, ASIO)

Further Research

o History of Intelligence & Security (NAA)

o US-Australia Diplomatic Oral Histories (ADST)

Wildcard Resource

Pine Gap

o A fictional portrayal of a real-world AUS-US spy site in Central Australia (Netflix, 2018)

“Russia Upside Down” – with Creator of The Americans Joe Weisberg

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

Joe Weisberg (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book on Russia. Joe is the creator of award-winning TV drama The Americans and a former CIA officer.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

o His past experience as a hardliner who loved to hate the “evil empire”

o His thoughts on a trip through the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the twilight of the Cold War, especially experiencing it as an American Jew

o His interpretation of the KGB and Vladimir Putin

o His take on the “moral equivalency” argument and U.S. foreign policy

·Reflections

o The role of complexity vs. simplicity in understanding “the Other”

o Joe’s journey from the Chicago suburbs of Illinois to Langley to New York City

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

“How dare you, Joe Weisberg, make me rethink my comfortable loathing of the Russians.” Not Andrew’s words, but those of former chief of CIA counterintelligence James Olson in an encomium for the book (albeit a little tongue-in-cheek). If that is not enough to get you intrigued in Joe’s new book, Russia Upside Down, then perhaps the sub-title will, An Exit Strategy for the Second Cold War. So how do we get out of the Second Cold War?

To find out Joe’s diagnosis and prognosis, and much else besides, Andrew sat down with him for this week’s episode. A fair number of listeners will know of Joe as creator of the award-winning and hugely popular TV series, The Americans, some may even know that he had a three-and-a-half-year stint in the CIA where he trained to be a case officer; a few may even be a know him from his stint at the Agency which began on the eve of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

And…

The Americans is set in and around NoVa which is replete with all manner of famous sites from intelligence history – including the Arlington home of real-life Russian illegals Nataliya Pereverzeva and Michael Zottoli Mikhail Kutsik who were rolled up by the FBI in 2010 as part of Operation Ghost Stories” which we cover in our exhibits.

Quote of the Week

"When I was working at the CIA and in my younger years, I had a very one-dimensional view of this evil empire, this totalitarian state that we had to fight because we were the good guys, and we were the bad guys. And the book that I've written is essentially a kind of argument with myself or me with my younger self to say, huh, I think you were not looking at that in all the complexity that you might have." – Joe Weisberg

FURTHER RESOURCES

SpyCasts

o KGB Illegal Jack Barsky here and here

o The Spymasters Prism: CIA Legend Jack Devine on Countering Russian Aggression

o 2010 Russian Spy Case – KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin

o Spy Sites of Washington D.C.

Books

o Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia, Catherine Belton (2020)

o The New Tsar: Rise & Reign of Vladimir Putin, Steven Lee Myers (2016).

o Spy Handler: Memoir of a KGB Officer - The Man Who Recruited Robert Hanssen & Aldrich Ames, Victor Cherkashin (2004)

o The Caucasus, Thomas De Waal (2018)

o Khrushchev's Thaw and National Identity in Soviet Azerbaijan, Jamil Hasanli (2014)

o The Best Books on Contemporary Russia (Five Books)

Articles

o “Dictatorship and Double Standards,” Jeane Kirkpatrick, Commentary (1979)

o NATO Enlargement & Russia (NATO, 2014)

o “False Equivalence” & “Tu Quoque”, IEP

Documentaries

o The Putin Interviews (ShowTime, 2017)

o Cold War 2.0, Vice/HBO (2015)

Primary Sources

o Russian-Chinese Relations (CIA, 1998)

o Putin’s Munich Speech, (WaPo, 2007)

o Interview With KGB/SVR Illegal (Chekist Monitor, 2020)

o U.S. Ambassadors to Russia Interviewed (NSA)

o US-Russia Oral Histories (ADST)

o Archival Research on Russia (NSA)

Enjoy the show? Please leave a review here.

“NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security” – with David Cattler

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Summary

David Cattler (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss how intelligence functions at NATO. He is the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security.

What You’ll Learn

o What it is like to be the leader of intelligence and security across the largest peacetime alliance in history?

o How does intelligence come together at NATO – who are the key-players, institutions, and stakeholders?

o What are some of the main challenges facing the Alliance including Russia and Cyber?

o “Reading” an institution and its key players

o The importance of “soft skills” in professional life

Episode Notes

Every polisci student knows from their Plato to NATO class, that NATO is (a) considered the most successful alliance of its kind in history and (b) was founded in 1949. As you can imagine, intelligence is incredibly important to the whole endeavor, so why has NATO only had an intelligence supremo since 2016?

To find out the answer, and much else besides, Andrew sat down with David Cattler. David is (a) the principal advisor on intelligence to the NATO Secretary General and (b) the lead for coordinating intelligence relationships between NATO and the 75 individual intelligence agencies across its 30 constituent nations (talk about herding cats).

With Russian forces built up on the Ukrainian border in February 2022, the timing of this episode is, well, germane.

And…

Andrew picked David up outside the U.S. Department of State and drove him to the SpyCast studio at SPY – if the traffic is right, you can do it in under 10 minutes!

Quote of the Week

"The secretary general is my boss but imagine him in this context to put it in a different frame is that he is the CEO of a large international conglomerate that engages in multiple business lines. And I am the CEO of the business line for intelligence and security. The nation's intelligence services in effect are my corporate board. So, they provide that governance and the oversight for all the work." – David Cattler

Further Resources

SpyCasts

o Able Archer 83: An Interview with Nate Jones

o Our Latest Long War: An Interview with Ben Jones

Books

o Enduring Alliance: A History of NATO & the Postwar Global Order, Timothy Andrews Sayle (2019)

o How NATO Adapts: Strategy & Organization in the Alliance Since 1950, Seth A. Johnson (2017)

o The Memoirs of General Lord Ismay, Lord Ismay (1960)

o Present at the Creation, Dean Acheson (1969)

o The Best Books on Contemporary Russia (Five Books)

Video

o What is NATO, Why Does it Exist, and How Does it Work? (NATO)

o How Does a Country Join NATO? (NATO)

Documentary

o The Cold War, Narrated by Kenneth Branagh (CNN 1998)

Websites

o NATO Declassified (NATO)

o NATO (Atlantic Council)

o NATO (RUSI)

Primary Sources

o The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

o Address by Harry S. Truman on the Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

o North Atlantic Council – First Session – Summary Minutes (1949)

o Historical Holdings on NATO (Eisenhower Library)

o The NATO Problem: French Forces in Europe (CIA, 1966)

o Being NATO’s Secretary General on 9/11 (2011)

o USNATO Oral Histories (ADST)

Enjoy the show? Please leave a review here

“The Predator Drone Program & the Robotic Revolution” – with Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:27:00 -0000

"The Wright Brothers of the U.S. Drone Warfare Program." That is how some people have referred to this week's guests, Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter. Andrew sat down with them to dig into drones and their intelligence implications.

“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand [FROM THE ARCHIVE]

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0000

This was the most popular episode of 2020. Apparently, people are interested in the views of former GCHQ Director, Joint Intelligence Committee Chair, and first UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator on, well - how spies think. I am sure David – now a Visiting Professor at Kings College, London – has a few thoughts on the subject. Hear Andrew debrief this week’s guest on the insights derived from a career spent at the summit of British intelligence. 1 Book, 2 Glaswegians, 10 Lessons in Intelligence. It’s simple, really. Sláinte!

“Al Qaeda, DOD & the 9/11 Commission” – with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Undersecretary for Arms Control & International Security

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Alexis Albion – star of our 500th episode anniversary special – is a very good friend of the current Undersecretary for Arms Control & International Security, Bonnie Jenkins. Way back when, they were both on the 9/11 Commission Report – while Alexis’ focus was on the CIA and counterterrorism before the attacks, Bonnie’s was on the DOD and counterterrorism – tiny subjects, I know. In this week’s episode, hear two old friends reminisce, reflect, and put the world to rights. Move over Saturn, get out of the way Jupiter, two huge brains are a comin’ through.

“Snake-Eaters, Detachment A, CIA” – A Conversation with James Stejskal

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Spook. Warrior. Author. This week’s guest is one helluva interesting guy. He was in a clandestine Special Forces unit in Berlin during the Cold War, “stay behinds” who would sabotage, subvert and generally wreak havoc should World War III break out. He was badly wounded after driving over a land-mine in Somalia in 1992, almost losing his entire leg and suffering a serious head injury. In a subsequent life, James was a CIA officer in Africa when the US embassies were blown up in Kenya and Tanzania and saw the Agency pivot in the aftermath of 9/11. Oh, did I mention, he also dabbles in combat archaeology.

“Hours and hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.” If this sounds like your last trip down the I-95, listening to your blowhard uncle at Thanksgiving, or what it’s like to watch Jets vs. Giants, it’s purely coincidence – for it’s how this week’s guest characterized Army life.

“American Traitor” – with ex-Delta Force Author Brad Taylor

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Project Prometheus. In the words of ex-Delta Force author Brad Taylor, “Super Double Daddy Bad Classified.” If you’re looking to find a podcast that helps break down the complexities of Chinese foreign policy through the vehicle of a page-turner written by a NYT Bestselling Author, you’ve arrived at the right doorstep my friend. Brad does serious research. He is also funny, down-to-earth, and super-duper interesting. Por ejemplo, on his first date with his now wife, he told her he was going to join Special Forces and write a novel – after 21 years in the military, including many years in a special mission unit, Brad has now written 15. We talk through American Traitor, Pike Logan, his writing process (and Chinese foreign policy).

The Journey of Two Extraordinary Women in Intel. & Security” – with Lisa Kaplan (Alethea, CEO) and Avril Eklund (GitHub, CSO)

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 21:22:00 -0000

I was really good at buying drugs, which is how I got recruited into narcotics. Apparently, I make a really good crackhead.” “Frankly, fact-checking doesn’t matter in today’s world.” Intrigued? You should be. Avril and Lisa are absolutely fascinating! Avril built an intelligence team for the Attorney General’s Office in Pennsylvania, from scratch. Her unit collected strategic intel on narcotics trends and went on to predict the methamphetamine trend before it even hit the Keystone State. Lisa was the Digital Director for Angus King of Maine, a Senator on the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Armed Services Committee, and the Energy & Natural Resources Committee. Hmmmm…do you think those committees might have digital information foreign adversaries might be interested in…Get the full skinny on Avril – CSO for Github - and Lisa – CEO of Alethea Group - in this week’s SpyCast. Because intel is regional too.

“Special Operations & Intelligence” – A Conversation with the President of SOF’s “Think-Do Tank”

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Post 9/11, special operations and intelligence worked together side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder and hand-in-glove (or any other heavily-hyphenated term you care to mention that connotates BFFness). What will happen with the relationship now, though, and in American history how have these two important components of national security related to each other? Enter the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), located in Tampa, Florida, and more particularly their President Isaiah “Ike” Wilson, who sits down with Andrew for this week’s episode of #SpyCast. “I think, therefore I am” Nope. “I think, therefore I do”

My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent” – with Kathy Stearman

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 17:04:00 -0000

Beijing. New Delhi. Kathmandu. “Hang on, I thought the title said FBI, not CIA?” Well, it did. Kathy Stearman was an FBI Legat who lived and worked in all of those capital cities. “Well, I’ve heard of the Ambassador and the Station Chief, but not the Legat?” Well, that’s why you need to listen to this week’s SpyCast!

Kathy Stearman is a retired FBI Special Agent and author of It’s Not About the Gun: Lessons From my Global Career as a Female FBI Agent (I know the title sounds like Lance Armstrong’s It’s Not About the Bike, but Kathy is not a sociopath who will rip your heart out after you invest in her story: I promise). Kathy spent a large part of her career working Chinese counter-intelligence – including time in San Francisco and New York City (I hope the FBI has a generous rent allowance!) – and she speaks fluent Mandarin.

BUY THE BOOK FROM OUR ONLINE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE: HERE

“The Birth of American Propaganda” – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 13:41:00 -0000

The Committee on Public Information (CPI) is the first and only Ministry of Propaganda the United States has ever had. It started one week after the United States entered World War I in April of 1917; in fact, there wasn't even conscription for some weeks, but the Committee on Public Information was created right away. Why? To explore this question, and to learn more about the CPI, Andrew sat down with journalist, professor and Vietnam veteran Jack Hamilton (yes, actually sat down, like face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball!).

“The Recruiter: Part 2 of 2” – Modern Spycraft with Doug London (Part 2)

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Doug London is thoughtful and reflective – but he doesn’t pull his punches and he candidly shares his analysis of the contemporary intelligence landscape. In this second part, Doug reflects on the path taken after 9/11, the CIA at the crossroads, and why human intelligence (HUMINT) will remain central to the vast and increasingly technologically sophisticated world of intelligence. Also, hear about a superstar counterintelligence operative Doug is currently running – although there is also a rumor, she might be playing the game for herself – listen to find out more…

“The Recruiter: Part 1 of 2” – Modern SpyCraft with Doug London

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 12:09:00 -0000

This week’s guest believes that espionage is about the “human soul…[it’s] a very intimate profession…the relationship between a case officer and an agent and the need to really have…a profound insight window into their life and their souls.” Doug London may be accused of many things, but you can’t say he’s shallow. His book, The Recruiter, is based on a 34 year career and can be purchased from our online independent bookstore. Next week we’ll hear more about Doug’s career, his views on CIA at the cross-roads, the centrality of human intelligence to the intelligence business, despite profound technological change, as well what he calls the Lost Art of American Intelligence.

“The Happy Traitor” – A Conversation on George Blake with Biographer Simon Kuper

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 21:17:00 -0000

He was a Soviet agent who was “turned” by Karl Marx after reading Das Kapital – which led him to give up the important operations, a host of MI6 agents and a treasure trove of secret intelligence…

George Blake was a courier in the Dutch resistance, an MI6 intelligence officer, a language student at Cambridge, a “Vice-Consul” in South Korea, a prisoner in North Korea, and a hero returning to Britain in 1953. He would escape from a British prison after getting caught and would live out the rest of his life as “The Happy Traitor” in Moscow before dying in 2020. What did author Simon Kuper think when he sat down to personally interview Blake before his death? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out.

SpyCast listeners can win free copies of the book by entering here: https://bit.ly/3mW1YmL

“Soviet Defectors: Revelations of Renegade Intelligence Officers” - with World Leading Expert Kevin Riehle

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 21:10:00 -0000

He has worked as a counterintelligence analyst at the FBI and the DIA. He speaks Russian. He was personally supervised by Robert Hanssen. He has an obsession with Soviet Defectors…

“Freedom has many difficulties,” said JFK in his Berlin Speech, “and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in.” What was it like to leave that type of system, though, to come from behind the Iron Curtain and cross the East-West physical and ideological divide? Kevin Riehle has spent many years studying Soviet defectors and their motivations, and he is the author of Soviet Defectors: Revelations of Renegade Intelligence Officers, 1924-1954.

“So, I’m a Spy & I’d like to Write a Book…”

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 12:45:00 -0000

Nada Bakos is a former CIA analyst and Chief Targeting Officer, Mark Fallon was an NCIS Special Agent and Director of the Criminal Investigative Task Force at Guantanamo, Frank Snepp is a former chief analyst of North Vietnamese Strategy for the CIA during the Vietnam War. Mark Zaid - one of the nation’s top national security lawyers - joins Andrew to help break the issue down.

This week’s guests discuss their motivations, frustrations, victories and defeats in publishing, “The Targeter: My Life in the CIA Hunting Terrorists and Challenging the White House”; “Unjustifiable Means: The Inside Story of How the CIA, Pentagon and US Government Conspired to Torture”; and, “Decent Interval: An Insider’s Account of Saigon’s End Told by the CIA’s Chief Strategy Analyst in Vietnam.”

Introducing Shadow of Truth Podcast

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 23:05:41 -0000

Description: It’s one of the most haunting murder cases you’ll ever hear about, and it takes place in a small town in Israel. Tair Rada was only 13-years-old when her body was found inside a locked bathroom stall. She was viciously murdered during a school day, and yet no one saw or heard a thing. The police arrested the janitor, Roman Zadorov, and he eventually confessed, but this was far from being the end of it. Based on the hit true-crime series from Netflix, the podcast "Shadow of Truth" will take you on a journey into one of the wildest and most contested murder cases in the history of Israel, as it reaches its final resolution, 15 years after it all started.
Link to Clip
http://wondery.fm/SOT_SpyCast

World Series Special: Espionage & Baseball – A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0000

From the SpyCast Field of Dreams: to coincide with the first game of the 117th World Series, a special episode on the links – yes, there are many – between espionage and America’s Pastime with baseball fanatic and ex-spook (it’s a baseball special, not Halloween, so no pun intended) Marc Polymeropoulos. Baseball fans, welcome to espionage; espionage fans, welcome to baseball; fans of both – welcome to our very own Fall Classic.

#baseball #worldseries

“First Casualty” – Inside the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0000

On October 17, 2001, Team Alpha were dropped into the mountains of northern Afghanistan. Two of the eight appear in this week’s episode alongside the author of a new book telling the story of the first Americans behind enemy lines after 9/11 – and what a story it is. Justin Sapp was a Green Beret detailed to CIA, he would go on to be a commander in the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and is currently Senior Military Advisor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. David Tyson was a polyglot former Central Asian academic who fought jihadists at close-hand to help his comrade, ex-Marine Mike Spann, the first American casualty in a war that would go on to become the longest in American history. In an extended podcast that is both conversation and historical document: this is their story.

Award-winning journalist and author Toby Harnden helps contextualize the story of Team Alpha. You can learn more about the book here.

15th ANNIVERSARY/500th EPISODE SPECIAL - “The CIA and the 9/11 Commission Report” – A Conversation with Alexis Albion

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:02:00 -0000

This is a big one, a very big one: our 500th episode & 15th anniversary

We have come a long way since we began back in 2006 – it’s quite fitting then, that in this week’s episode I speak to our very first historian and curator, Alexis Albion, who is currently the Curator for Special Projects here at the Spy Museum

Alexis actually left us way back when to be on the 9/11 Commission Report, where she was the central researcher on the CIA and US counterterrorism policy before 9/11.

Hang on, did you just say what I think you said, she was the central researcher on the CIA…?

Yup.

I know, what the hell, right, we’ve been sitting on this story all this time!

Episode 500 is a good time to thank two of the behind-the-scenes unsung technical heroes – Mike and Memphis who have been involved with more SpyCast’s than anyone else. They are awesome. They are great guys, and they rock.

Other people who have been involved in the content side of SpyCast have included Peter Earnest and Chris Costa, our former and current Exec Director, as well as my other predecessors in the Historian & Curator role: Thomas Bogart, Mark Stout and Vince Houghton.

The show would of course be nothing without our guests, who have contributed their time, expertise and experience to help educate, inform and occasionally entertain the public on the vitally important matters of intelligence and espionage.

Sometimes this past year I have felt like Churchill, in that he got the job he had always coveted: but under the least auspicious circumstances. It has been emotional people, but, we are getting there.

Here’s to the next 500.

Sláinthe.

Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – “Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC)”

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0000

From your Visa card to your Outlook account, and from the gas you pump into your Ford to your Windows operating system, a cyber struggle is taking place all around us. In this episode Andrew spoke to founder of Microsoft’s threat hunting intelligence center John Lambert, which tracks the world’s most dangerous cybercriminals and state-affiliated hackers, and the head of the Digital Security Unit Cristin Goodwin, who helps provide security support to governments and works closely with John’s team. Microsoft has billions of customers, serves millions of businesses, and works with almost every government department: to say it might have something to do with information and intelligence would be like saying perhaps it would have been a good idea to have bought buy some shares when it first went public in 1986 (June 2021 it was valued at 2 trillion dollars!).

“Leningrad, Molehunts, and Life After the CIA” - A Conversation with Christopher Burgess

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

He is the Horatio Alger of the CIA. His first job was punching paper. He went on to be a Station Chief. He worked for every directorate. He lived in several continents. He was in the Soviet Union for six years. He was caught up in the molehunt for Robert Hanssen. He survived to tell his tale.

Christopher is genial, hearty and now lives in the other Washington (the rainy state on the West Coast, not the rainy town in Northern England) in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, where he writes for our friends at Clearance Jobs. He tweets @burgessct

“One of CIA’s Most Decorated Field Officers” – A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

What do you get if you cross a Greek Orthodox guy from Athens and a Jewish girl from Long Island; and then mix in two Ivy League degrees and a 26-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency? If you haven’t worked out that this refers to Marc, given that he is mentioned in the episode title, you can probably forget ever having a career in intelligence. Mark is brimming with vitality, chock full of stories, and can talk baseball and wings as well as the finer points of Algerian politics or US grand strategy in the Middle East. If you ever pull up a bar stool next to Mark: you’ve hit a home run!

Mark’s new book, Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the CIA, distills the insights he derived from his career and is available in the International Spy Museum’s bookshop.

Curator’s Corner: Osama bin Laden with Peter Bergen

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approached Peter Bergen sought to reevaluate the man responsible for precipitating America’s long wars with al-Qaeda and its descendants. Bergen produced the first television interview with bin Laden in 1997. He has had years to reflect on and study the man. In his new book The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden he captures all the dimensions of his life: family man, zealot, battlefield commander, terrorist leader, and fugitive.

Join International Spy Museum Historian and Curator Andrew Hammond in conversation with Bergen about the many contradictions he finds in bin Laden and why his legacy lives on despite his failure at achieving any of his strategic goals. Bergen, a Vice President at New America, is the author or editor of nine books, including three New York Times bestsellers and four Washington Post best nonfiction books of the year. He is a national security analyst for CNN and has testified before congressional committees 18 times about national security issues. Thanks to exclusive interviews with family members and associates, and documents unearthed only recently, Bergen has used the knowledge he has gained in the intervening years to discover who bin Laden really was and why he continues to inspire a new generation of jihadists.

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Mike Morell & President Bush

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Mike Morell was with President Bush on the morning of 9/11. He saw the President several times that day. Ten years later he was with President Obama for the bin Laden raid. He was former Acting and Deputy Director of the CIA. He comes from Ohio. For the rest, it’s best if you hear Mike.

“I believe that when we get to the end of the trail, we’re going to find al Qaeda, and we’re going to find an Osama bin Laden. I told him that I was so confident in that judgment that I would bet my children’s future on it.”

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Dave Terry & Vice President Cheney

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Dave Terry was with Vice President Cheney on the morning of 9/11. He started work as a PDB briefer the same day as Mike. He went on to be Chief of the PDB. He started out working on grain production at the CIA in 1979. He comes from Kansas. For the rest, it’s best if you hear Dave.

“And I think for any intelligence officer, what you're doing is often overwhelming, whether you're in front of the President, or a vice president, or the asset that you're trying to debrief, or your colleagues…And the stakes often are life and death.”

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Kristin Wood & Scooter Libby, With Special Guest Phil Mudd, Director of Gulf Affairs at the NSC

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Kristin Wood was at CIA HQ on the morning of 9/11. Phil Mudd was at the National Security Council. Kristin was a PDB briefer for the VP’s National Security Advisor. Phil was Director for Gulf Affairs. They would go on to work counterterrorism together. Kristen has a Wheaton Terrier. Phil has a farm. For the rest, it’s best if you hear Kristin and Phil.

“… knowing that every day, you had to deliver relevant information to the nation's leaders, it is a feeling of enormous responsibility that all of the 1000s and 1000s and 1000s of intelligence officers who have done amazing work, you want to represent it faithfully.”

I just I didn't want to be alone. I didn't know what was going on. So I stayed at a friend's house, maybe a mile or two from my house just watching through the downing of the Towers. And at that point, I said, I'm going home. My only other memories are realizing I couldn't go to the White House.

“Afghanistan, the Mujahedeen, Al Qaeda” – My Time at CIA & State with Diana Bolsinger

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:15:00 -0000

It was the 1980’s. “I don't think they'll ever have the fun I had that year, at 23 years old, going to the White House and the NSC, briefing cabinet members…I mean, you name it. It was just incredible!” Three years into her CIA career, Diana Bolsinger found herself on point as the sole person working on the Afghanistan account in her department. Thereafter, she was Acting Deputy to the Ambassador to the Afghan Resistance (“mujahedeen”), a political officer in Islamabad, an analyst at the Counterterrorism Center (CTC), and received multiple awards including for her role in investigating the Boston Marathon bombing. She has a serious Afghanistan/Pakistan resume; Al Qaeda were on her radar from 1990; and, she oozes calm, measured, thoughtful analysis. Ladies & gentlemen: Diana Bolsinger.

CYBER AUGUST: “National Cryptologic Museum” – With Vince Houghton

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Turning the tide in the Pacific at the Battle of Midway, establishing secure communications on the beaches during D-Day, staving off nuclear Armageddon – what did cryptology ever have to do with anything, right? To discuss these big themes – and to celebrate our partnership on the exhibition “Codes, Ciphers and Mysteries” – we brought back you know who, Executive Director of the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) and former SpyCast host, Vince Houghton (Retd). Through the end of September 2021, you can see the NCM’s superstar artifacts here at SPY before they return to their home base at Fort Meade. Sssshhhhh, though…No Such Museum.

CYBER AUGUST: “So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker?” – Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Codes. Ciphers. Mysteries. This week’s guests are fascinated by codebreaking and cryptography: as well they should be! The Voynich Manuscript, the Dorabella Letter, The Beale Papers, the Zodiac Cipher, Kryptos – so much history, intrigue, and speculation. Andrew sat down with Elonka Dunin, code-breaker extraordinaire, and Klaus Schmeh, a world leading expert on the history of cryptography, to discuss the cat-and-mouse game between code-makers and code-breakers across the ages from ancient cuneiform up to quantum cryptography.

Word to the wise: their book has been described by Sir Dermot Turing as “the best book on codebreaking I have ever read, a must for would be recruits to GCHQ and the NSA.”

CYBER AUGUST: “Snowden & Surveillance” – Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Barton Gellman

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Is Edward Snowden a traitor a hero? Does the surveillance state threaten freedom or secure it? Andrew sat down with investigative reporter Barton Gellman, author of Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State, and part of the team that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the National Security Agency and Edward Snowden, to discuss these issues and more. Bart has a serious resume: The Atlantic, The Washington Post, LA Times Book Prize, Emmy Awards (yes, plural), another Pulitzer Prize (greedy!), but I think you get the general idea…this one might make you scream yourself to sleep, sleep like a baby, or not want to waken up, but it will definitely get you thinking. If it does – our work here is done.

CYBER AUGUST: “The Cyber Zeitgeist” – Cyberwire Host Dave Bittner

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:59:00 -0000

Have you ever felt like “cyber” is changing so quickly, it is difficult to keep up? This week’s guest has seen Cyber-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. How? He hosts no less than 10 podcasts per week on the topic! From the Cyberwire Daily to Hacking Humans, and from Career Notes to Recorded Future, Dave Bittner is what you might call: busy. Dave and Andrew talk the Silicon Valley of the East, state-affiliated hackers, organized crime and staying cyber-safe – because it’s a jungle out there, people.

CYBER AUGUST: “Threats to America” – Top U.S. Official Michael Orlando on Foreign Espionage & Cyber Citizenry

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:19:00 -0000

Counterintelligence. Security. Two words that have serious pull in Washington D.C. The problem is, how do you ensure the strings, woodwind, brass and percussion are all playing the same music? Welcome to the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC). Acting Director Michael Orlando was this week’s guest, where he sat down with Andrew – yes, literally sat down, poor Hammond is actually getting to do what his predecessors did and do podcasts face-to-face – to discuss how he helps conduct the orchestra. Michael is fascinating all by his lonesome – he came to the job via the U.S. Army, CIA and the FBI – but add his story to that of the NCSC and the current counterintelligence landscape, and you have the makings of Beethoven’s Ninth.

"Red Widow" - Alma Katsu on Writing Bestsellers & 30+ Years in Intelligence

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:00:00 -0000

"Deeply, deeply, disturbing." This is how Alma's Katsu's book, The Hunger, was described by Stephen King. Ok, I'll repeat that, that's how her book was described by Stephen King, author of Carrie, The Shining and Misery! The Hunger was based on the infamous Donner Party trip of the nineteenth century, but her most recent book, Red Widow, turns to intelligence and espionage - something Alma knows rather a lot about having spent over thirty years at the NSA and the CIA. Since leaving the intelligence community, Alma has settled into life as an award-winning and bestselling author (with a side-gig as a technology forecaster!). Want some tips on writing your own book or want to know how the NSA and CIA compare? You'll need to listen to find out.

“Special Operations, FBI, NSC, et al” – Serial Collaborator Karen Schaefer (Part 2)

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Last week’s episode focused on “Karen Schaefer, CIA Operator,” while this week’s episode looks at her time as a “Serial Collaborator.” Karen specialized in making sure the heart, brain, left hand and right hand had a better idea of what each was up to and were functioning in unison – whether as Director of Intelligence Programs at the National Security Council (NSC), in the leadership group at the FBI (then Director James Comey was fired two days after she arrived), or with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in a warzone. There is always a lot of focus on the arteries and veins of intelligence – this week we look a little more closely at the capillaries.

“On the Streets, Location Unknown” - CIA Operator Karen Schaefer (Part I)

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:22:00 -0000

From counternarcotics to counterterrorism, from Latin America to the Middle East, and from the back streets of a warzone to the center of events in Washington DC – Karen Schaefer has had, how should we say, an “eventful” career as an intelligence officer. Charming, smart, thoughtful, and you haven’t even met Karen yet…but seriously, it was a pleasure to talk to this week’s guest who had all of those qualities, and more; so enjoyable it will be released as a double-header. This week, Part I focuses on her time as an operator; while Part II focuses on her time as a “serial collaborator” who worked with Special Operations, the FBI, and the NSC. Stay tuned…

4th July Special: “Birthplace of American Espionage” - Spy Sites of Philadelphia

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Cheesesteaks. Baseball. Rocky. Espionage? Hear about the Philly you never knew – as the birthplace of American espionage. From the Committee on Spies during the Revolution (now there is one committee, that actually sounds like it would be good to be on!) to Allen Pinkerton and Kate Warren during the Civil War, up through the A-bomb, a former Director of Central Intelligence, and a conspirator for the Mumbai Bombing of 2008 - Philadelphia has all kinds of fascinating links to the world of intelligence and espionage. Andrew sat down with H. Keith Melton, the world’s pre-eminent collector of espionage related artifacts, and Bob Wallace, former Director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services who has been called the real life “Q” of the CIA, to discuss their latest collaboration: Spy Sites of Philadelphia. Happy Birthday America!

"One Arm, Twice the Punch”: Legendary CIA Operator Rick Diaz

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Quit. Fail. Give-up. Rick Diaz refused to acknowledge the meaning of these terms. The result? Well, you’ll need to listen to find out.

Spy Satellites, Outer Space & the NRO - “Beyond the Kármán Line”

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Spy satellites are fascinating! Man-made objects up there – sometimes way up there – looking down to see what other humans are up to. I believe it’s called a God’s eye view. You may not be as unfamiliar with satellites as you think: for starters, you’re on one! The earth is a satellite of the sun, the moon is a satellite of the earth, you are a satellite of…historian Dr. James Outzen sat down with Andrew to talk about artificial – i.e., man-made – satellites as part of a conversation marking the 60th anniversary of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Juneteenth Special: African American Spies - As Chosen By a Spy, A Diplomat and a Magazine Editor

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0000

A superstar line-up chooses an African American spy from American history. Harriet Tubman, Ralph Bunche and Willie Merkerson Jr. are introduced, before we have a discussion about African Americans and the American experience. Our guests are Mel Gamble, a former CIA Chief of the Africa Division and Senior Intelligence officer; Reuben E. Brigety II, former US Ambassador to the African Union and current Vice Chancellor of the University of the South; and Kaia Niambi Shivers, writer, activist and founder of Ark Republic magazine.

#Juneteenth

“Risk Taker, Spy Maker” – CIA Operator Barry Broman

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Barry Broman spent most of his life in South-east Asia as a photographer, an infantry officer, and as a “diplomat” (although not really!). It is not that he wasn’t a diplomat - it’s just that he did something else too…like recruit over 40 agents, escape the genocidal Khmer Rouge, supervise covert paramilitary operations, and bring in gargantuan quantities of heroin in major drug busts. Barry has lived a life – and then some. Andrew sat down with Barry to talk about his life east of the Irrawaddy River.

You can buy Barry's book here.

“The Spymaster’s Prism” – CIA Legend Jack Devine on Countering Russian Aggression

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:00:00 -0000

What do Afghan Mujahedeen, the KGB, Pablo Escobar, Iran-Contra, and Chilean Elections have in common? Two words: Jack Devine. This CIA legend is the Forrest Gump of the intelligence world, in that he always finds himself at the center of events. Jack reflects on his remarkable career and hones in on Russian aggression and Vladimir Putin, the subject of his current book, The Spymaster’s Prism. Anybody who went from the streets of blue-collar Philadelphia to Acting Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA has serious gumption.

“Do You Have a Plan for the Worst 15 Seconds of Your Life?” – Life Saving Lessons from CIA Operator Rob Montgomery

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:05:00 -0000

Rob Montgomery had a real scare on deployment in Afghanistan…the scare was back in Virginia though; he had a motion detect on his phone that showed multiple unidentified males outside his home in a sleepy college town - while his wife and children were asleep inside. You’ll need to listen to hear the rest of the story, but it did prompt Rob to think more deeply about the life-saving skills he developed over 34 years serving in some of the most austere and dangerous places on the planet. We talk “situational awareness,” CIA training, Krav Maga, and whether you need a go-bag!

“A Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany” – 101-Year-Old Marthe Cohn’s Incredible True Story

Tue, 25 May 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Hear an incredible true story. Marthe Cohn was a young Jewish woman who went behind enemy lines into Nazi Germany with a pair of walking shoes, a cover story, and about half a ton of chutzpah. 101-year-old Marthe spoke to Andrew over the phone from her home in Los Angeles.

“Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy” - Indian Spy Chief Vikram Sood

Tue, 18 May 2021 11:00:00 -0000

In a first for the show, this week’s guest is a former spy chief from the world’s largest democracy. Vikram Sood was the Director of India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Andrew and Vikram talk Pakistan, China, the United States, human capital, intelligence reform and the power of narratives: because spies can be sensitive souls too.

“The Greatest Analyst We Ever Had” – CIA Spy Chief Marty Petersen

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:18:00 -0000

Where to begin. Marty was described to me as, “the greatest analyst we ever had (truthfully),” would I be interested in speaking to him? Guess the answer!? The result, a SpyCast with a CIA analytic legend. For 40 years Marty analyzed intelligence for US foreign policymakers, trained a whole generation of analysts, and mentored figures who would go on to have senior leadership positions within American intelligence, such as former Acting and Deputy Director of CIA Mike Morrell. In this episode we talk China, Asia, making sense of the world, and a whole host of topical issues.

"The FBI Way" - Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi

Tue, 04 May 2021 11:00:00 -0000

This week’s guest is Frank Figliuzzi, former assistant director of Counterintelligence at the FBI, who oversaw all espionage investigations across the US govt. He served for 25 years as a Special Agent, which included countering economic espionage in Silicon Valley, being appointed the FBI’s Chief Inspector, and heading up the Cleveland Division. He is the recent author of “The FBI Way” and a current columnist and national security correspondent for NBC News. In this week’s episode we talk about a sitting member of congress and a presidential candidate who were just a little too close to foreign intelligence services, and hear some of his thoughts on former FBI Director’s Bob Mueller and James Comey. Unfun fact: Frank’s first unit chief at FBI HQ was at the center of, “possibly the worst intelligence disaster in US history.” Listen to find out more.

Buy Frank's book "The FBI Way" here:

https://bit.ly/3xEx99s

US Air Force – Office of Special Investigations: Part 2

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Infosec. Cybersec. Techsec.

In the second part of our double-header on the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations, we round out our previous discussion with two former Directors of Counterintelligence for the US Air Force, Jude Sunderbruch and Terry Phillips. Their world-wide remit includes cybersecurity, information security, technology protection and all things air power and counter-intelligence.

N.B. – SpyCast 2.0

Next week we reboot SpyCast with improved audio and some additional tweaks, hacks, bells and whistles. Through the rest of 2021, we will be seeking out every ounce of audio quality we can and continuing to refine the content and much else besides. We will also be rolling out new material including transcripts for each episode with time-stamps, extended show notes that break the content down and give you the take-aways, as well as links to further reading/sources and complimentary episodes. Thanks for your patience! It. Has. Been. Emotional.

The Courier (2021) – The Director’s Take with Dominic Cooke

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Andrew and Director Dominic Cooke sit down to talk about his new movie The Courier (2021), starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan and Merab Ninidze, which tells the story of Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky. A Cold War spy thriller based on true events where humanity was precariously perched on a wire.

Russian Spy, American Defector – Meet Jan Neumann

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0000

If you think that all the best spy stories happened during the Cold War – we have a doozy for you.

In 2008 FSB officer Alexy Yurievich Artmonov was presented with three choices: (1) put a bullet in his own head, (2) wait for someone else to do it, (3) run. Which would you choose? Alexy chose (3).

In fact, this story has all the makings of Cold War spy fiction: caught between the long arm of corrupt government officials and the mob, a spy and his wife go on the run leaving friends and family behind; to shake off any would be pursuers they book multiple decoy flights, and end up drinking rum cocktails in the Caribbean, before walking into the US Embassy in Santo Domingo seeking to exchange secrets in return for a new life and new identities…except, it was not quite that simple. Oh, and it happens to be true.

Join us as we explore how Alexy, the Russian FSB officer born in the former USSR, became Jan Neumann the graphic novel author, producer and storyteller living in America.

Like the very best spy stories, truth happens to be stranger than fiction.

P.S. Next week we announce the launch date for SpyCast 2.0!

Intelligence and the Presidency - WIth John Hedley

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Continuing our journey through SpyCast’s greatest hits enroute to our relaunch, we arrive on a topic of perennial interest and great importance: intelligence and the US presidency.

Just how is information from the intelligence community (IC) conveyed to the president? How have different administrations incorporated intelligence into the political decision-making process?

This blast from the past features John Hedley, former CIA officer and editor of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), who reviews the relationship between the IC and presidents since World War II, in the course revealing fascinating episodes from his personal experience in dealing with several administrations and multiple presidents.

“Crossfire Hurricane”: Trump, Russia & the FBI – A Conversation with Josh Campbell

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Josh Campbell lit his cigar and extinguished the match. It was Inauguration Day 2017, and he was on the roof of his Washington D.C. apartment building. As the outgoing Obama’s made their way overhead on a helicopter, he turned to his father who had flown up from Texas for the event and remarked, “I hope Trump is good for the FBI.”

Josh Campbell, former Special Assistant to the Director of the FBI, was chosen by James Comey because he didn’t shy away from speaking his mind. No matter what your politics are, you will want to hear him speak his mind and listen to his fly-on-the-wall account of some of the most momentous events in the modern history of the FBI. He was present at a meeting in Trump Tower on January 6, 2017, two weeks before the inauguration, that would later lead to his boss being fired; it would also lead to his former boss Bob Mueller being appointed as Special Counsel to head up an investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

Before the Report on the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, and indeed before Mueller’s appointment, the FBI headed up a counterintelligence investigation into the allegations they codenamed Crossfire Hurricane (yes, after the first line of the Rolling Stones most performed and perhaps best loved song, 1968 hit Jumpin’ Jack Flash!). This is also the name of Campbell’s recent book – Crossfire Hurricane: Inside Donald Trump’s War on Justice & the FBI – written as part of his effort to speak out after leaving the FBI.

Campbell, who is now a CNN correspondent, spoke to Andrew at an International Spy Museum event on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2021. We couldn’t get you two Irishmen, but we did get the next best thing: a Scot and an American with a very Scottish last name. This episode may lead to heated arguments: but if it does, it will merely be keeping in line with pub culture in Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin!

Carl Sagan said, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Listen and decide for yourself what is and what is not extraordinary and what is and what is not evidence – because due diligence dictated that it couldn’t be all holding hands around the campfire between Andrew and Josh.

P.S. Not too much longer before SpyCast 2.0.

The Cambridge Five – From the Vault

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0000

As we continue ramping up for SpyCast 2.0, featuring a content overhaul and improved audio, we release a real gem on a perennial favorite of the SpyCast community. You literally couldn’t make this one up, it has everything you’d expect to see at Shakespeare’s Globe – betrayal, suspicion, ambition, political machinations, royal intrigue and flabbergasting chutzpah.

Philby. Burgess. MacLean. Blunt. Cairncross. Spies who betrayed their country in the name of an ideal: communism. In the 1930s, five young Cambridge University students were recruited by Soviet intelligence to penetrate the British establishment. In the course of their espionage career, the Five did enormous damage to Western security. The gradual unravelling of the spy ring across the decades also led to mole-hunts and an ever widening ring of paranoia. It even put the “special relationship” between Britain and America under strain.

While parts of their story inspired the pages of Cold War spy thrillers, back in 2009 British intelligence author Nigel West examined their motivations and activities, and revealed new evidence he unearthed in Soviet intelligence archives.

British Intelligence — Spy Chief Stella Rimington

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0000

As we gear up for an exciting new Spring program – which will feature a number of changes including a content overhaul and improved audio – we are releasing some of our greatest hits from the vault. Back in 2007 Dame Stella Rimington, former Director-General of MI5, spoke about British intelligence past and present and compared British and American approaches to intelligence. She was the first female Director General of the Security Service (better known by its three letter abbreviation, MI5) and her autobiography is entitled, Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5. She is also the author of a number of novels. Most recently in her “Liz Carlyle” series are, The Moscow Sleepers (2018) and Breaking Cover (2016). During her 30+ year career, she worked in all the main fields of MI5’s area of responsibility: counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. During Dame Stella’s watch, MI5 moved towards greater openness, so it is fitting that this interview is with a former CIA Director of Media Relations, The International Spy Museum’s former Executive Director Peter Earnest. Suggested pairings: How Spies Think – Spy Chief David Omand (Nov 24, 2020) The MI5 Centenary (Dec 1, 2009)

Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel – "The Green Prince" (From the Vault)

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0000

ONE OF THE GREAT SPY STORIES OF MODERN TIMES

Palestinian & Israeli. Agent & Handler. Mosab & Gonen.

One became involved with Hamas almost as a birthright, his father, after all, was a founder and its spiritual leader; the other was inspired to join Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and had a father in the Israeli Army. They seemed destined for a collision course.

Fate would bring them together, danger would bind them together, but it was loyalty that kept them together. A unique bond was forged between Mosab Hassan Yousef, aka “The Green Prince,” and Gonen Ben Yitzhak, aka “Captain Loai,” that is remarkably rare in agent-handler relationships. “If he could come to Israel – and I know he can’t – he would be like a member of my family,” notes the Israeli, who revealed his true identity to testify on Mosab’s behalf at an immigration hearing in San Diego. Gonen’s children, meanwhile, call the Palestinian “Uncle Yousef.”

Some stories seem too far-fetched to be true. This one is both. Hopefully you can come to the International Spy Museum one day where we look at their story in one of our exhibits (in the meantime you can also stream the award-winning documentary, The Green Prince). This episode is a blast from the past, our founding Executive Director Peter Earnest was the compère, that lives on. Recommended pairings: “Shadow Wars, 2020” – Israel, Iran & America Dec 8, 2020 “Israeli Intelligence” Dec 1, 2020

Drug Cartels, Sleeper Cells, the Waco Siege & the Mob – The Life & Times of Dennis Franks

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:46:00 -0000

Former FBI Special Agent Dennis Franks is nothing if not interesting. He has faced off against the Columbian Cali Cartel – yes, the Cali Cartel from Season 3 of Narcos – the Mexican Gulf Cartel, MS-13, Sicilian Mafioso’s, and all manner of gangbanger, gangster and narcotraficante. He has been a firearms instructor, on an Enhanced SWAT Team, and ran his own undercover unit. He has also worked Russian intelligence and Russian organized crime: “It was very much a learning experience, because that was very different from a lot of the other organizations I have worked.” Why? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out.

It doesn’t stop there though, Dennis was at the Waco Siege in 1993, and he offers listeners a particularly poignant moment involving a little girl, a rearview mirror and a knot in his stomach. He now runs his own investigative and security company out of Austin, Texas, and he was recently the Host & Executive Producer of A&E Investigates: The Plot Against America. This was not the alternative history TV series where the USA and Nazi Germany sign a treaty under President Hindenburg, based on a Philip Roth novel, but a real-life hunt for Russian sleeper agents in North-eastern Tennessee. Yes, you heard it correctly – Tennessee. Why? It might have something to do with a beautiful woman and the atomic bomb. Again, you’ll need to listen to find out! As a North Carolina man in Texas, he gives us the final word on who has the best BBQ…or maybe the controversy will continue.

Stuxnet, Jiu Jitsu & Michelle Obama – A Conversation With Nicole Perloth (Part 2)

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Nicole Perloth descended into the cyber netherworld and emerged to share her wisdom. This is the second of a double-header with the New York Times cybersecurity reporter and author of This is How They Tell Me The World Ends. Andrew and Nicole talk Armageddon, Stuxnet, Jiu Jitsu, and Michelle Obama – you’ll need to listen to see the link to the former First Lady. Sit back, buckle up, and get ready to tailgate the future.

So, A KGB Spy & A Navy Intel Guy Walk Into a Bar…Jack Barsky & Keith Mahoney

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0000

The door to the walk-in cooler slammed shut behind Jack Barsky. This is it, he thought, this is how it all ends – in a restaurant in the Deep South at the hands of a crazy Irish-American eight inches shorter than me. “He said he was taking me through a secret passage to a speakeasy.” But it was not the end that day in Atlanta, 30 years after the Cold War’s end, but a new beginning. The residual fear felt by the former deep-cover KGB illegal soon dissipated and a new friendship was born over drinks. We ended up, “at a very small bar, looking out through a two-way mirror at all the people in the restaurant, what a great place for two old spies to be.” Hear Jack Barsky (if you’ve ever watched The Americans he worked for the real-life “Directorate S”!) and former US Navy Counterintelligence Agent, Keith Mahoney (if you’ve ever seen NCIS, he was in its 1980’s equivalent) swap war stories. They grew up on either side of the Cold War divide, drank the ascribed kool-aid, lived parallel lives – and ended up best buds! Enjoy.

“The Cyber Arms Race” – Spies, Hackers & Nicole Perloth of the NY Times (Part 1)

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 16:05:00 -0000

Have you seen that episode of The Crown where an intruder gets in one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the world via an unlocked window? Welcome to its cyber equivalent: “zero-days.” Join Andrew and Nicole Perloth, award-winning cybersecurity and digital espionage reporter for the New York Times, as they descend into a cyber netherworld that will enlighten, challenge and quite possibly terrify you. Oh, I almost forgot, she is also the author of what has been called “quite possibly the most important book of the year,” This is How They Tell Me The World Ends. Guess where you can hear all about it before talks at storied bookstores such as City Lights in San Francisco, Powell’s in Portland and McNally Jackson In NYC, or indeed conversations at UT Austin, UC Irvine or at the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress. Yup, you’ve guessed it (we drop the podcast the day the book hits the shelves). Run your software updates, turn on two-factor authentication and cross your fingers: the future is gonna be wild.

U.S. Air Force Counterintelligence – Office of Special Investigations (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Counterintelligence. Counterespionage. Criminal Investigations. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) have a fascinating remit around the world and across the country – one that also includes cyber, infosec and technology protection. What better way to break all of this down than to chat to TWO former Directors of Counterintelligence for the U.S. Air Force, Jude Sunderbruch and Terry Phillips. They are colleagues, collaborators and close friends who have seen momentous changes in the operational environment since they first met back in the 90’s (are the 90’s “back in the day” already? What the hell happened? I’m getting old). Jude is currently Executive Director at their HQ in Quantico, Virginia. With regards to Terry, what could be more “special” than talking to a Special Agent from Special Investigations? Why, a Special Agent from Special Investigations who happens to be the Executive Director of Special Projects. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Muy interesante.

“Desperately, Madly in Love” – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0000

What better way to start developing an Antipodean flavor to SpyCast than to release an episode with Brett Peppler. Aussie Army. Spec Ops. Deputy Director Military Intelligence. AIPIO President. Professor. He’s been around the block, thought about the block, and anticipated what the block might do next (he said he is, "desperately, madly in love with Futures Intelligence"). The Indo-Pacific is often overlooked, but it will be a key component of international security long after Brett and I have slipped the surly bonds of earth for the Great Gig in the Sky. The timing of our conversation was interesting, it was the official national holiday of Australia where Brett was (Australia Day, 26th Jan), and the unofficial national holiday of Scotland where I was (Burns Night, Jan 25th). Coincidence? Serendipity? Conspiracy? One for the intelligence analysts among us methinks.

“American Spy” – A Conversation with Lauren Wilkinson

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0000

Marie Mitchell is an FBI agent sent by the CIA to spy on the “African Che Guevara,” leftist president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara. Inspired by real events, he became president in 1983 at the age of 33, this week’s guest takes what is best about the spy fiction genre and gives it her own unique je ne sais quoi (if most of what you know about this land-locked West African country can be written on a business card, guess the official language?). The week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day seemed like an opportune moment to introduce Lauren Wilkinson to the SpyCast community: for a spy thriller written by a black female author, featuring a black female protagonist, set in an African country is a triple rarity for the genre. Join Andrew and Lauren as they talk about her debut novel, which managed to make it on to summer reading list of a former US president – to find out which one you will have to listen – and about some of her favourite spy novels. Her book is now available One reviewer said it is “like the best of John le Carré.” Need I really say more?

“Insurrection” – The Intelligence Implications: A SpyCast Special

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:33:00 -0000

January 6, 2021. What to say. Former president George W. Bush, 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all used the term “insurrection.” As these momentous events unfolded – I watched it on TV although I can literally see the US Capitol from my rooftop – I was constantly thinking about the intelligence implications. Long story short, I reached out to Diana Bolsinger and Mark Stout and voila! welcome to a SpyCast Special. Diana’s background includes service in the National Counterterrorism Center, at the CIA and in the U.S. Department of State. Mark had an equally well-rounded career at INR, the CIA, and the Army Staff at the Pentagon. Both “formers” now teach and research intelligence and national security. Grab a brew, or something stronger, and mull this one over.

Chinese. Communist. Espionage. (Part 2 of 2) - Dr. Matthew Brazil

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0000

This is the second in our two-parter with Dr. Matthew Brazil, a historian of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence operations. Andrew and Matt discuss everything from recruitment, ideology, and foreign tourism, to modern history and contemporary politics – all the biggies really. Ever wondered about the “century of humiliation” or the “Great Firewall of China”? This might be the episode for you (but don’t forget Part 1!). Matt spent over twenty years working in East and South Asia. Even better, the book is based on an engagement with hundreds of Chinese language sources. Well, whatddayaknow? 谢谢

Pardon Me, Mr. President - From the Vault

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Edward Snowden is back in the news. I know what you are thinking: shocker! As we move into the new year from the annus horribilis that was 2020, however, one of the main intelligence stories is will Snowden receive a presidential pardon. Come to think of it, does he even deserve one? Back in what now seems like the mists of time, 2013, Mark Stout sat down with one of the nation’s top national security lawyers, Mark Zaid, for a legal perspective on the then recent Snowden case. Like a smoky 8 year old single malt, this one lingers on the palate (which depending on your taste may be a good or a bad thing). At the very least, we provide some context on today’s headlines in the run down to Hogmanay. Wishing you and yours all the best.

The Future of the Intelligence Community

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Nothing makes me happier than a conversation with whip smart people on the past, present or future of intelligence: enter Heather Williams, a senior policy researcher at RAND, and Zachery Tyson Brown, a strategic futurist and founder of Consilient Strategies. With decades of experience at multiple agencies, multiple deployments overseas, advanced degrees from the National Intelligence University and a network of contacts that would do any Rolodex proud, they have oodles to offer. We talk the information revolution, generational change, institutional reform, a variety of -ologies and of course the pandemic and the incoming presidential administration. Basically, just the entire future of intelligence.

Soviets, Gangbangers, Terrorists, Taliban – Lessons From a Life in Intelligence, With Dean Barrata

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Bet you are wondering which adversary caused him the most sleepless nights, right? From the Red Army to New Jersey street gangs, from terrorists to the Taliban – Dean Barrata has analyzed them all. During a 30+ year career in intelligence, Dean has been everywhere from West Germany to Afghanistan, from the Pennsylvania National Guard to a New Jersey Police Street Gang Unit. If you have ever wondered if there was life beyond the three letter agencies (CIA, NSA, DIA), this just might be the episode for you. He now works for GitHub and teaches at a flagship college. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Dean Barrata. Did I mention that he thinks Millennials and Centennials make great intelligence analysts?

“Shadow Wars, 2020” – Israel, Iran & America

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:05:00 -0000

The second in a double-header on Israeli intelligence. This week we walk the story up to the present day – including the election of Joe Biden and the recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. We also hear how Israeli intelligence is retooling for the twenty-first century. Andrew is joined by journalist Yossi Melman, a reporter for Haaretz and advisor on the Netflix Series Inside the Mossad, and Dan Raviv, who was at CBS for over 40 years. They are the authors of Every Spy a Prince and Spies Against Armageddon.

“Israeli Intelligence” – From the Vault

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Mossad. Shin Bet. Aman. Legendary names from the world of secret intelligence. Adolf Eichmann. Wrath of God. Stuxnet. Israel’s intelligence agencies never seem to be far from the history books…or the headlines. Were they behind the recent killing of the so-called Iranian Robert Oppenheimer, nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh? To provide some context, best-selling author Dan Raviv spoke about his co-authored book Spies Against Armageddon, back in 2012. Hear about the history of Israeli intelligence from the birth of the country in 1948 through to the end of Netanyahu’s second term.

“How Spies Think” – Spy Chief David Omand

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:48:00 -0000

Ever thought you were the smartest person in the room? You’ve never been in a room with Sir David Omand. My former professor – no slouch himself – described Sir David as “the brightest person I have ever met.” It is certainly difficult to think of anyone more qualified to appear on SpyCast: former Director of GCHQ, former Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee, formulator of current British counter-terrorism policy, he also happens to be one of the world’s deepest thinkers on intelligence and espionage (as well as the intellectual man-crush of my former professor). In his new book, How Spies Think, David distills insights derived from a career spent at the summit of British secret intelligence. 1 Book, 2 Glaswegians, 10 Lessons in Intelligence. It’s simple, really. Sláinte

From the Vault: Intelligence & Analysis in the National Football League

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 12:00:00 -0000

If 1985 was “The Year of the Spy,” was 2019 its equivalent in the sporting world? The Patriots were accused of spying on the Bengals, Leeds Utd. of surveilling Derby County, and the Houston Astros of stealing-signs from, well, everybody. Just before Super Bowl XLV (2011), high-school quarterback, artist and Spy Museum stalwart Dan Treado sat down with ex-intelligence officer, analyst, consultant and author T.J. Waters to discuss the secret world of the NFL. Briefing books. Secure Comms. Deception operations. Think states have a monopoly on intelligence and espionage: think again.

Moxie + Brains = America’s First Female Foreign Intelligence Agent

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:47:00 -0000

Join Andrew and former Baltimore Sun reporter Liz Atwood as they dig into the fascinating life of multi-lingual Baltimore socialite Marguerite Harrison: path-breaking journalist, documentary actor, co-founder of the Society of Women Geographers…double agent.

Dis.information: Russia, China & the Specter of Democracy

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 20:25:00 -0000

Fact vs. Fake. Truth vs. Lies. Information vs. Disinformation. For voters trying to choose between competing parties and candidates the distinction between them would seem to be central. But is it still possible to tell which is which? In this week’s SpyCast Andrew is joined by two analysts from the Alliance for Securing Democracy – Russia watcher Brad Hanlon and China watcher Bryce Barros – to try to get to the bottom of what is going on. Is “disinformation” fake news and malarkey, or a serious threat to the future of democracy?

Transcript available at https://www.spymuseum.org/spycast

An Ode to Sean Connery’s ‘Bond’ | WTOP

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 02:37:00 -0000

For Andrew Hammond, a Scotsman and the historian and curator of the International Spy Museum, the loss of iconic actor Sean Connery this week at the age of 90 hits particularly hard.

“As a Scot, someone from the same country, it’s a great loss and a deep loss,” Hammond told WTOP. “For spy fans and people who are from Scotland, but also for anyone who’s ever loved having the lights out and escaping through the lens of cinema, it’s just a great loss.”

James Bond movies, Hammond said, have taught lots of people what they know about being a spy, even if many of them are pure fantasy - via WTOP.

2020 Election Special: Electoral Interference & Intelligence

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 17:52:00 -0000

What do you get if you cross a Harvard historian with a UCLA trained political scientist and an award winning doctoral researcher? One word: context. Join Andrew and his guests – Calder Walton, Dov Levin and Magda Long – as they drill down into intelligence agencies and electoral intervention.

Transcript available at https://www.spymuseum.org/spycast

Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners - The Authorised History of GCHQ

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:21:00 -0000

Authorized History of a Secret Intelligence Agency –(STOP)– author debriefed by Spy Historian Hammond –(STOP)– WW1 WW2 Cold War –(STOP)– reevaluation of Western Front Bletchley Park Ultra Falklands War –(STOP)– discuss Authorized Histories “Cyber Rifles” and coming century –(STOP)– Podcast released on same day as Ferris book –(STOP) – a coincidence? (END TELEGRAM)

Chinese. Communist. Espionage. (Part 1 of 2) - Dr. Matthew Brazil

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 12:34:00 -0000

Agent Sonya: Moscow's Most Daring Wartime Spy

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:20:00 -0000

SPY Curator Alexis Albion asks author Ben Macintyre “Can women spies have it all?”, as they discuss his latest book on the extraordinary Ursula Kuczynski aka Agent Sonya.

Transcript available at https://www.spymuseum.org/spycast

A New SpyCast Chapter: A Farewell Conversation with Vince Houghton

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0000

In the second of our “changing of the guard” episodes, the new SpyCast host Andrew Hammond sits down with Vince. It’s Been Emotional.

The Spymasters: A Conversation with Chris Whipple

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Author Chris Whipple discusses his new book, The Spymasters:How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future with SPY Executive Director Chris Costa.

Meet the New Guy: A Conversation with Andrew Hammond

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:26:00 -0000

Dr. Vince Houghton sat down for a conversation with the new International Spy Museum historian, Dr. Andrew Hammond.

Spy Chat with Kristin Wood

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 09:53:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Kristin Wood who spent more than two decades with CIA in a number of roles.

State Department Intelligence: Inside the INR

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 10:01:00 -0000

SPY Historian sat down with some of the leadership of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research for a candid conversation

The SpyCast Conversation with Alison Bouwmeester

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Alison Bouwmeester to discuss her career, and how she’s been helping people transition from government service to the private sector.

Taken Hostage by the Taliban: A Conversation with Kevin King

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with Professor Kevin King to learn more about his career traveling the world, and how that led to him being held by the Taliban for over three years.

Hollywood Spies

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 10:09:00 -0000

On July 23rd, we had a great conversation with Jonna Mendez about spies in Hollywood.

Operation Lemon Aid: A Conversation with Art Lindberg

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 16:28:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former US Navy officer and double agent Art Lindberg to discuss his career and the sting operation that snared multiple Soviet spies.

Near Dark: A Conversation with Brad Thor

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling thriller author Brad Thor to discuss his writing career, his process, book research, and how novelists can play a vital role in US national security

Race and Intelligence: A Conversation with Darrell Blocker, Cassi Chandler, Mel Gamble, and Malcolm Nance

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with an extraordinary panel to have a candid discussion about racial issues in the intelligence community.

Spy Chat with Keith Masback

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with GEOINT pioneer Keith Masback to discuss all things geospatial.

Fiction Author Roundtable

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with 4 of your favorite spy fiction authors to discuss how they entertain and educate.

Atomic Spy: A Conversation with Nancy Greenspan

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 10:39:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Nancy Greenspan to discuss the life of notorious Soviet spy Klaus Fuchs, the fascinating subject of her new book, Atomic Spy: The Dark Lives of Klaus Fuchs

Wondery presents Murder in Hollywoodland

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 07:30:00 -0000

It's February 2nd 1922, and all of Hollywood is about to wake up and learn that William Desmond Taylor, the most famous film director in town, was murdered in his home last night. The investigation will shine a light on some of Hollywood's most scandalous affairs, backroom deals, and underground drug dens. This real life Murder Mystery is one of the most iconic "whodunnit" cases of the 20th century that will leave you guessing and second guessing who killed William Desmond Taylor for weeks to come.

Listen today at wondery.fm/spycastMiH

Spy Sites of New York City: A Conversation with Keith Melton & Bob Wallace

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Executive Director Chris Costa talks to Keith Melton and Bob Wallace about their newest book, Spy Sites of New York City: A Guide to the Region’s Secret History.

Introducing Truth vs Hollywood

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Introducing the newest Audioboom original podcast, Truth vs Hollywood. Join Film lovers David Chen and Joanna Robinson as they do a deep dive into well-known films and discuss how similar they are to the actual story. Truth vs Hollywood premieres 6/12. Subscribe to Truth vs Hollywood on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-vs-hollywood/id1510582080

What’s Next? A Conversation with Jonna Mendez, Tracy Walder, and Joe Weisberg

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton had a virtual conversation with three former intelligence professionals to discuss their choices of careers following their time as practitioners

Curator’s Corner with Francis Gary Powers, Jr.

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a virtual conversation about the 60th anniversary of one of the most historic events of the Cold War.

Shedding Light on the Elite GSG9: A Conversation with Colonel Jerome Fuchs

Tue, 19 May 2020 11:45:00 -0000

Executive Director Chris Costa talks with GSG9 Commander Jerome Fuchs about the history and evolution of GSG9, as well as his career with the organization.

How Intelligence Analysts See the Corona Pandemic

Tue, 12 May 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former intelligence analysts Mark Stout and Cindy Storer to discuss how intel analysts in the US and around the world are viewing the coronavirus situation.

Reflections on the Middle East and Afghanistan: A Conversation with General Joseph Votel

Tue, 05 May 2020 23:00:00 -0000

Executive Director Chris Costa is joined by former Commander of U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel to discuss his insights into current events in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and the fight against ISIS.

The SpyCast Conversation with Harvey Klehr

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author and historian Harvey Klehr to discuss Soviet espionage and his newest book, The Millionaire Was a Soviet Mole: The Twisted Life of David Karr.

Active Measures: A Conversation with Thomas Rid

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with professor Thomas Rid to discuss the history of disinformation, and his new book, Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare.

The CIA War in Kurdistan: A Conversation with Sam Faddis

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Executive Director, Chris Costa is joined by former CIA Officer and author, Sam Faddis to discuss his book The CIA War in Kurdistan: The Untold Story of the Northern Front in the Iraq War.

Current Affairs in the Middle East: A Conversation with Kirsten Fontenrose

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Executive Director, Chris Costa talks with Kirsten Fontenrose, current Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, about current events in the Middle East and her twenty years of experience with the region.

Talking to a Former Hostage: A Conversation with Jason Rezaian

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with Washington Post journalist, Jason Rezaian to talk about his book and experiences being taken hostage in Iran.

From the Vault: Remember When Computer Viruses Were The Scary Viruses?

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Rick Holland, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Vice President of Strategy for Digital Shadows, to discuss the latest cyber trends and developments

From the Vault: Quarantine Edition

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bioterrorism expert Hank Parker to discuss current threats and Parker's new book Containment.

Spy Chat with Chris Costa

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Having trouble getting a handle on world events? Join Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa and Former CIA/ Spy Museum Advisory Board Member Karen M. Schaefer for a discussion of the latest intelligence, national security, and terrorism issues in the news.

The Unexpected Spy: A Conversation with Tracy Walder

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer and FBI special agent Tracy Walder to discuss her career in intelligence, and her new book, The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists

SpyCast Special Preview: Life's Little Mysteries

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:40:01 -0000

SpyCast has teamed up with Live Science to bring you this special preview clip of the new podcast, Life's Little Mysteries.

Russians Among Us: A Conversation with Gordon Corera

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera to discuss the Russian “illegals” program and his new book, Russians Among Us: Sleeper Cells, Ghost Stories, and the Hunt for Putin's Spies.

The SpyCast Conversation with Darrell Blocker

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer Darrell Blocker to discuss his career and work throughout Africa.

Chinese Corn Caper: A Conversation with Mara Hvistendahl

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 12:05:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer, speaker, commentator, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Mara Hvistendahl to discuss the rise of economic espionage, the American response to this threat, and her new book, The Scientist and The Spy: A True Story of China, the FBI, and Industrial Espionage

The SpyCast Conversation with Sue Gordon

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon to discuss her career and many important topics in intelligence

From the Vault: The SpyCast conversation with Gen. David Petraeus

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired 4-star general David Petraeus, former Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq; Commander, US Central Command; commander of the International Security Assistance Force and Commander, US Forces Afghanistan; and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served from September, 2011, until November, 2012.

Spy Chat with Chris Costa

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Having trouble getting a handle on world events? Join Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa for a discussion of the latest intelligence, national security, and terrorism issues in the news.

Avoiding the Terrorist Trap: A Conversation with Tom Parker

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with counterterrorism expert and former MI5 officer Tom Parker to discuss the role of human rights in the fight against terrorism.

How Haven’t I Heard of This??: A Conversation with William Rosenau

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with terrorism expert William Rosenau to discuss a most improbable true story: America’s first female terrorist group and their attacks, which included the Washington Navy Yard, an FBI office, and even the US Capitol.

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Adm. Mike Rogers

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA Director and CYBERCOM commander Admiral Mike Rogers

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with DIA Director LTG Robert Ashley

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to discuss his career, the mission of the DIA, and his role as its director.

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Jack Doyle

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Doyle, former field director for NEST, the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Emergency Search Team.

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with David Kennedy, David Turk, and Howard Safir

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with representatives of the United States Marshals Service to discuss the decades-long manhunt for Nazi war criminal Dr. Joseph Mengele.

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Jim Gant and Ann Scott Tyson

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret Major Jim Gant and his wife, former war correspondent Ann Scott Tyson, who is the author of the book, American Spartan: The Promise, the Mission, and the Betrayal of Special Forces Major Jim Gant

Protected Voices: A Conversation with FBI ASAC Jason Fickett

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jason Fickett, the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Intelligence Division, FBI’s Washington Field Office, to discuss his career and the government’s new program to combat foreign influence.

Out of the Shadows: A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with recently retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss a career that spanned more than two decades and crossed multiple continents.

Trump and His Generals: A Conversation with Peter Bergen

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Peter Bergen to discuss his new book, Trump and His Generals: The Cost of Chaos.

The SpyCast Conversation with Nayyera Haq

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with a former senior advisor to both the White House and the Secretary of State to discuss the difficulties in explaining American national security policy to both domestic and foreign audiences

From the Vault: SpyCast, the Giving Thanks Edition

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:35:00 -0000

In November, 2006, SpyCast was born. After 13 years, 397 episodes, and millions of worldwide listeners, we are still going strong. This is because of you, and your continued support for the little-podcast-that-could. Thank you! Here is the very first SpyCast: a conversation between the great Peter Earnest, and one of our very favorites, Tony Mendez,

Agents of Influence: A Conversation with Henry Hemming

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling author Henry Hemming to discuss information operations, fake news, British and German espionage, and his new book, Agents of Influence: A British Campaign, a Canadian Spy, and the Secret Plot to Bring America into World War II

From the Vault: The SpyCast conversation with Gen. Michael Hayden

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0000

Last week, Gen. Michael Hayden was honored by the International Spy Museum with the 2019 William H. Webster Distinguished Service Award. In 2016, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gen. Hayden to discuss his life and career in intelligence.

Walking Away from the Kurds: A Conversation with LTG Michael K. Nagata

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the Former Director, Directorate of Strategic and Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center, to discuss recent events in counterterrorism, and the Trump Administration’s decision to end their support of the Kurds.

SpooooookyCast: DIA Investigates the Paranormal

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

In this special Halloween SpyCast, SPY Historian Vince Houghton spoke to DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder about the DIA’s investigation into telekinesis, telepathy, remote viewing, and other spooky stuff.

Return to the Reich: A Conversation with Eric Lichtblau

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author, investigative reporter, and two-time Pulitzer- winner, Eric Lichtblau, to discuss OSS operations in Europe and his new book Return to the Reich: A Holocaust Refugee's Secret Mission to Defeat the Nazis.

Gitmo Law: A Conversation with Alka Pradhan and Ben Farley

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:24:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Guantanamo defense attorneys Alka Pradhan and Ben Farley, who represent one of the 9/11 defendants, Ammar al-Baluchi.

From the Vault: Whistleblower Aid, An Interview with John Tye and Mark Zaid

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorneys John Tye and Mark Zaid to discuss their project Whistleblower Aid, which is a non-profit organization designed to protect whistleblowers – and to prevent them from becoming leakers.

Operation Gold: A Conversation with Steve Vogel and Bernd von Kostka

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Washington Post reporter and author Steve Vogel, and the curator of Berlin’s Allied Museum, Bernd von Kostka, to discuss the Berlin Tunnel, the ambitious Cold War SIGINT operation that is the focus of Vogel’s new book, Betrayal in Berlin

The Life of John André: A Conversation with Douglas Ronald

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:52:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with academic and author Dr. Doug Ronald to discuss one of the most fascinating personalities of the American Revolution, and the subject of his book, The Life of John André: The Redcoat Who Turned Benedict Arnold

The SpyCast Conversation with…wait…Vince, Again??

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Former SPY Historian Alexis Albion sat down with current SPY Historian Vince Houghton to discuss WWII and early Cold War nuclear intelligence, and Houghton’s new book, The Nuclear Spies: America’s Atomic Intelligence Operation against Hitler and Stalin.

The SpyCast Conversation with David Rolph

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Chief of East Berlin and Moscow stations David Rolph, who also served as the handler for one of CIA’s most important Soviet assets, Adolf Tolkachev.

Moscow Rules: A Conversation with Jonna Mendez

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez to talk about operating in VERY denied areas, and her newest book, The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics that Helped America Win the Cold War.

The SpyCast Conversation with Matt Korda of the Federation of American Scientists

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Matt Korda of the FAS Nuclear Information Project, and co-author of the Nuclear Notebook, to discuss multiple current issues in the world of nukes and intel.

The SpyCast Conversation with Emily Crose

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 11:00:00 -0000

At a live event at the International Spy Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA, NSA, and INSCOM infosec specialist Emily Crose to talk the past, present, and future of cyber

George Sharpe and the BMI: A Conversation with Peter Tsouras

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former military intelligence officer and prolific author Peter Tsouras to discuss the role of George Sharpe and the Bureau of Military Information in helping the Union win the Civil War

Bringing Americans Home: A Conversation with Diane Foley and Cynthia Loertscher

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the founder of the James W. Foley Foundation, Diane Foley, and Cynthia Loertscher, the lead researcher for “Bringing Americans Home,” the First Non-Governmental Assessment of US Hostage Policy and Family Engagement.

The Dark Side of Paradise: A Conversation with Richard Kerr

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Deputy Director of CIA, former Acting Director, and former Deputy Director for Intelligence Richard Kerr, to discuss his career and his new book, The Dark Side of Paradise: Odd and Intriguing Stories from Vero Beach

Mosul: A Conversation with Daniel Gabriel

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA counterterrorism officer Dan Gabriel, who is now filmmaker Dan Gabriel, the writer and director of the extraordinary documentary, Mosul.

Strategic Warning: A Conversation with John Gentry and Joseph Gordon

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former intelligence analysts John Gentry and Joe Gordon to discuss one of the most misunderstood aspects of the intelligence business: strategic warning. Gentry and Gordon are the authors of the book, Strategic Warning Intelligence: History, Challenges, and Prospects.

The Threat: A Conversation with Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to discuss the current threat environment.

Spies of No Country: A Conversation with Matti Friedman

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist and author Matti Friedman for a fascinating look at early Israeli intelligence, and his book, Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel

NEST: A Conversation with Jack Doyle

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Doyle, former field director for NEST, the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Emergency Search Team.

American Spartan: A Conversation with Jim Gant and Ann Scott Tyson

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret Major Jim Gant and his wife, former war correspondent Ann Scott Tyson, who is the author of the book, American Spartan: The Promise, the Mission, and the Betrayal of Special Forces Major Jim Gant

Mata Hari, The Spy: An Interview with Dr. Julie Wheelwright

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Adult Education Director Amanda Ohlke sat down with Dr. Julie Wheelwright, the author of The Fatal Lover: Mata Hari and the Myth of Women in Espionage. Julie and Amanda discuss the famous early 20th century dancer: her background, how she became famous and successful against all odds, and the truth about her espionage activities during WWI.

Freedom’s Laboratory: A Conversation with Audra Wolfe

Tue, 28 May 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer, editor, and historian Audra Wolfe to discuss Cold War propaganda and psychological operations, and her book, Freedom’s Laboratory: The Cold War Struggle for the Soul of Science.

Area 51 Special Projects: A Conversation with TD Barnes

Tue, 21 May 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with TD Barnes, who served as a field engineer at the NASA High Range in Nevada for the X-15, XB-70, lifting bodies and lunar landing vehicles; worked on the NERVA project at Jackass Flats, Nevada; and served in Special Projects at Area 51.

The SpyCast Conversation with Adm. Mike Rogers

Tue, 14 May 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA Director and CYBERCOM commander Admiral Mike Rogers

The SpyCast Conversation with…Vince Houghton?

Tue, 07 May 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Guest host David Priess sat down with SPY historian and curator Vince Houghton to discuss Houghton’s new book, Nuking the Moon: And Other Intelligence Schemes And Military Plots Left On The Drawing Board.

The SpyCast Conversation with Dr. John Browne

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with John Browne, former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, who was there for – among other things – the Wen Ho Lee spy investigation. IARPA/ARL link: https://sites.google.com/create.jhuapl.edu/join

Leadership and Counterterrorism: A Conversation with General Stanley McChrystal

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the former Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A)

Nukes and North Korea: A Conversation with Jeffrey Lewis

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis to discuss nuclear threats from around the world, and his fascinating book, The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States: A Speculative Novel

The SpyCast Conversation with Dr. Gary Weir, Chief Historian, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gary Weir to discuss some of the history of NGA, and their vital role in the mission to find and neutralize Usama bin Laden

The SpyCast Conversation with FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Peter Lapp, whose two decade career at the FBI included extensive work in counterintelligence.

Gray Day: A Conversation with Eric O’Neill

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton say down with cybersecurity expert and former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill to discuss the investigation into, and arrest of, Soviet/Russian spy Robert Hanssen, and O’Neill’s new book on the topic, Gray Day: My Undercover Mission To Expose America’s First Cyber Spy.

Rethinking CT: A Conversation with Jason Blazakis

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at Monterey to discuss terrorism financing, state-sponsorship, and the rise of domestic terrorism.

Dezinformatsiya Revisited: A Conversation with Liz Wahl

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a second time with journalist, and now congressional candidate, Liz Wahl to discuss Russian disinformation operations and more.

Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell: A Conversation with Former Director Rob Saale

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Rob Saale, the former director of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell.

CIA vs DOD: A Conversation with David Oakley

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Army officer and former CIA intelligence officer David Oakley to discuss the tensions between the military and the CIA, and his new book, Subordinating Intelligence: The DoD/CIA Post-Cold War Relationship

The New Rules of War: A Conversation with Sean McFate

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 14:27:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with National Defense University professor Sean McFate to discuss his new book, The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age or Durable Disorder.

Hunting Mengele: A Conversation with David Kennedy, David Turk, and Howard Safir

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with representatives of the United States Marshals Service to discuss the decades-long manhunt for Nazi war criminal Dr. Joseph Mengele.

Code Name Lise: A Conversation with Larry Loftis

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling author Larry Loftis to discuss the extraordinary WWII British agent Odette Sansom, and Loftis’s new book, Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy

Counterterrorism Strategy: A Conversation with Peter Bergen & Chris Costa

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with terrorism expert Peter Bergen and SPY Executive Director Chris Costa to discuss the details and highlights of the most recent national counterterrorism strategy

The First Conspiracy: A Conversation with Brad Meltzer

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Brad Meltzer to discuss his newest book, The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington. Link: [https://www.amazon.com/First-Conspiracy-Secret-George-Washington/dp/1250130336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547763104&sr=8-1&keywords=the+first+conspiracy+brad+meltzer](https://www.amazon.com/First-Conspiracy-Secret-George-Washington/dp/1250130336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547763104&sr=8-1&keywords=the+first+conspiracy+brad+meltzer)

The SpyCast Interview with DIA Director LTG Robert Ashley

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to discuss his career, the mission of the DIA, and his role as its director.

Disrupt and Deny: A Conversation with Rory Cormac

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with University of Nottingham professor Rory Cormac to discuss the history of British covert action and his newest book, Disrupt and Deny: Spies, Special Forces, and the Secret Pursuit of British Foreign Policy.

Korean Security Issues: A Conversation with former Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with the former Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert to discuss his career and insights on the U.S. relationship with South Korea, as well as current issues surrounding the Korean peninsula.

Moscow at Midnight: A Conversation with Sally McGrane

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist and writer Sally McGrane to discuss modern-day Russia, living in Germany, and her novel Moscow at Midnight.

Masters of Mayhem: A Conversation with James Stejskal

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret and CIA Operations Officer James Stejskal to discuss the legacy of TE Lawrence and Stejskal’s newest book, Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz.

Into the Shadows: A Conversation with Michael Brady

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with ret US Army LTC and former career intelligence officer Michael Brady to discuss his career, the status of intelligence education, and his latest book, Into the Shadows, Assassination Corps.

The Spy Who Was Left Behind: A Conversation with Michael Pullara

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorney Michael Pullara to discuss the case of slain CIA officer Freddie Woodruff and Pullara’s new book, The Spy Who Was Left Behind: Russia, the United States, and the True Story of the Betrayal and Assassination of a CIA Agent

The SpyCast Conversation with Ambassador Joe Wilson

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ambassador Joe Wilson to discuss his career, the politicization of intelligence, and uranium from Niger

The SpyCast Interview with Jeremy Bash

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jeremy Bash and discussed his career at CIA, DOD, the House Intelligence Committee, and other topics.

Hostage US: A Conversation with Rachel Briggs & Joshua Geltzer

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Rachel Briggs and Joshua Geltzer from Hostage US, a non-profit organization that supports families of Americans taken hostage abroad

From FBI to CNN: A Conversation with Josh Campbell

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Josh Campbell, former Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI, and now Law Enforcement Analyst for CNN

Inside the DIA – The Hunt for UBL: A Conversation with DIA Historian Greg Elder

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss the DIA’s role in the hunt for Usama bin Laden.

The Secrets of the Bridge of Spies: A Conversation with Francis Gary Powers, Jr., Mary Ellen Fuller, and Vin Arthey

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a discussion of the most famous spy trade in history: Soviet spy Rudolf Abel for American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers

Active Measures: A Conversation with Jack Bryan

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with filmmaker Jack Bryan to discuss his newly released film on Russian active measures and the 2016 presidential election.

An American’s Path to Al-Qa’ida: A Conversation with Bryant Neal Viñas

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Bryant Neal Viñas to discuss the story of his ideological journey from New York to Pakistan and Afghanistan to wage jihad.

The Wounded Muse: A Conversation with Robert Delaney

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with award winning author and journalist Robert Delaney, who has been covering China as a journalist for more than 20 years. His debut novel, The Wounded Muse, is out now.

Man of War: A Conversation with Sean Parnell

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Retired Army Infantry Captain, veteran’s advocate, and author Sean Parnell to talk about his new book Man of War, his wartime experiences, and key issues facing veterans today.

The Spy and the Traitor: A Conversation with Ben MacIntyre

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Ben MacIntyre to discuss the Oleg Gordievsky case and MacIntyre’s new book, The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War.

From the Vault, 9/11 Edition: A Conversation with Cofer Black

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Cofer Black, the former Director of CIA’s Counterterrorism Center (CTC), to discuss the role of the CTC before, during, and after the attacks on September 11, 2001.

From the Vault (But Never Heard Before): A Conversation with William Webster

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:00:00 -0000

Former SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down in 2013 with former CIA and FBI Director, Judge William Webster. Hear it now for the first time.

NatSec and the Law: A Conversation with Mark Zaid

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorney Mark Zaid to discuss the revocation of security clearances, non-disclosure agreements, pre-publication review, and recent national security leaks.

Reflections on Counterterrorism: A Conversation with Nicholas Rasmussen

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:13:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down for a special conversation with the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), Nicholas Rasmussen.

US Intel in WWI: A Conversation with Mark Stout

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former SPY Historian Mark Stout to discuss all things American Intelligence in WWI.

Busy Days: A Conversation with Shane Harris

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Washington Post intelligence and national security reporters to discuss…well, everything.

The SpyCast Conversation with former HPSCI Chair Mike Rogers

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former FBI agent and chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Mike Rogers to discuss his career and how he feels about the current state of the Intelligence Community.

“The Cyber”: A Conversation with Rick Holland

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 11:00:00 -0000

The Other Woman: A Conversation with Daniel Silva

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling novelist Daniel Silva to discuss his career, his writing philosophy, and his new book, The Other Woman.

Operation Black Mail: A Conversation with Ann Todd

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Ann Todd to discuss WWII propaganda efforts and her book, OSS Operation Black Mail: One Woman’s Covert War Against the Imperial Japanese Army

Wisdom of the Crowd: A Conversation with Dr. Steven Rieber

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Steven Rieber, IARPA program manager, to discuss CREATE, which seeks to develop, and experimentally test, systems that use crowdsourcing and structured analytic techniques to improve analytic reasoning. [CLICK HERE](https://www.iarpa.gov/index.php/research-programs/create/) for more information on the program. [CLICK HERE](http://join.createbetterreasoning.com) to sign up.

Nine Lives: A Conversation with Aimen Dean

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 13:04:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Aimen Dean, former member of Al Qaeda, agent for MI-6, and author of the new book, Nine Lives: My Time as the West's Top Spy Inside al-Qaeda.

Overkill: A Conversation with Ted Bell

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with spy novelist Ted Bell, author of 10 consecutive New York Times Bestsellers, including the Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers. The newest is Overkill.

Spy Chiefs: A Conversation with Mark Stout and Chris Moran

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with intelligence experts Drs. Mark Stout and Chris Moran to discuss the 2nd volume of their new book, Spy Chiefs, which they both contributed to and edited.

Space and National Security: A Conversation with Chirag Parikh

Wed, 30 May 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Chirag Parikh, the Deputy Director for Counterproliferation at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, to discuss the importance of space in the 21st century.

The SpyCast Conversation with John Brennan

Tue, 22 May 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Director John Brennan to discuss his career and key moments during his time as Director .

The Targeter: A Conversation with Nada Bakos

Tue, 15 May 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst and targeting officer Nada Bakos to discuss her career, the CIA, and the current state of intelligence in America

A Brotherhood of Spies: A Conversation with Monte Reel

Tue, 08 May 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Monte Reel, whose new book on the development and impact of the U-2 program is A Brotherhood of Spies: The U-2 and the CIA's Secret War. For more information about this week’s sponsor, visit ziprecruiter.com.

The National Security Strategy: A Conversation with Fmr Dep National Security Advisor Nadia Schadlow

Tue, 01 May 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Nadia Schadlow, the former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, to discuss the recently released National Security Strategy for the Trump Administration.

Cold War Navy SEAL: A Conversation with James Hawes

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Navy SEAL and CIA operator James Hawes to discuss his time in Vietnam and the Congo in the 1960s. Hawes is the author of the new book, Cold War Navy SEAL: My Story of Che Guevara, War in the Congo, and the Communist Threat in Africa.

Last Night of the World: A Conversation with Joyce Wayne

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with award-winning literary journalist and author Joyce Wayne to discuss her new historical novel Last Night of the World, which centers on an infamous Soviet spy ring operating in early-Cold War Canada.

The Mad Scientists: A Conversation with Lee Grubbs

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Lee Grubbs, director of the Mad Scientist initiative, a US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) program that continually explores the future through collaborative partnerships and continuous dialogue with academia, industry, and government. Check out their blog, at http://madsciblog.tradoc.army.mil/

Meet the New Guy, Part 2: An Interview with Chris Costa

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton continues his conversation with the new Executive Director of the International Spy Museum to discuss his career in intelligence, special operations, counterterrorism, and policymaking.

Meet the New Guy, Part 1: An Interview with Chris Costa

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:41:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the new Executive Director of the International Spy Museum to discuss his career in intelligence, special operations, counterterrorism, and policymaking. Part 2 will be posted next week.

In the Enemy’s House: An Interview with Howard Blum

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with NYT bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize nominee Howard Blum to discuss his newest book In the Enemy's House: The Secret Saga of the FBI Agent and the Code Breaker Who Caught the Russian Spies.

Breaking Cover: An Interview with Michele Rigby Assad

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Michele Rigby Assad to discuss her career in intelligence, and her new book Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For.

Operation Chaos: An Interview with Matthew Sweet

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Matthew Sweet, who has written on one of the most…extraordinary topics of the Cold War. His book, Operation Chaos: The Vietnam Deserters who Fought the CIA, the Brainwashers, and Themselves, is out now.

The Peter Earnest “Exit Interview”

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian sat down with recently retired International Spy Museum Executive Director Peter Earnest to discuss his career in intelligence, his time with the Museum, and his thoughts on life moving forward .

The Doomsday Machine: An Interview with Daniel Ellsberg

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Daniel Ellsberg, who is best known for his release of the Pentagon Papers to the public in 1971. He is also the author of The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner, which details his early life as a specialist on the command and control of nuclear weapons, nuclear war plans, and crisis decision-making.

Technology and Human Intelligence: An Interview with Paula Doyle

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:27:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paula Doyle, former Associate Deputy Director of Operations at CIA, where she oversaw worldwide HUMINT operations and activities that required the use of air, land, maritime, space-based and cyber technologies.

Spy Watching: An Interview with Loch Johnson

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with political scientist and professor Loch Johnson, whose decade-long career in and out of the intelligence world has culminated in a new book, Spy Watching: Intelligence Accountability in the United States.

The Saboteur: An Interview with Paul Kix

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paul Kix, deputy editor at ESPN the Magazine, and author of the book The Saboteur: The Aristocrat Who Became France's Most Daring Anti-Nazi Commando

Destination Casablanca: An Interview with Meredith Hindley

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 13:34:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer and historian Meredith Hindley to discuss her new book Destination Casablanca: Exile, Espionage, and the Battle for North Africa in World War II

The Red Web: An Interview with Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 12:18:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan to discuss Russian intelligence, their security services, and the Russian use of the internet both internally and externally

American Radical: An Interview with Kevin Maurer

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kevin Maurer, coauthor of the bestseller No Easy Day, and now coauthor of the new book, American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent, which he cowrote with undercover FBI agent Tamer Elnoury .

A Rebel at the CIA: An Interview with former DDI Carmen Medina

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Carmen Medina, the CIA’s former Deputy Director of Intelligence and Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence. She is also the author of Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within.

The Psychology of Espionage: An Interview with Dr. Ursula Wilder

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with CIA clinical psychologist Dr. Ursula Wilder, who in her over two decades at CIA has worked within the Counterintelligence Center, the Counterterrorism Center, and the Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis.

Inside Naval Intelligence: An Interview with Deputy Director B Lynn Wright

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:37:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Lynn Wright, the current Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence and the Head of the Naval Intelligence Activity.

A Little Bit of Everything: An Interview with Kristin Wood

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kristin Wood, who spent more than two decades with CIA in a number of roles – from the briefer to the Vice President, to intelligence analyst, to the National Clandestine Service, to the Open Source Center.

View from the Top: An Interview with Michael Morell

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Deputy Director and Acting Director Michael Morell to discuss his career at the Agency, and his role in some of the most momentous intelligence events of the last two decades.

Follow the Money: An Interview with Nitsana Darshan-Leitner

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:28:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Israeli activist and attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner to discuss the ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist finance, and her new book Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters

Speaking Truth to Power: An Interview with Ned Price

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:28:29 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ned Price, former CIA analyst and Special Assistant to President Obama on the National Security Council staff, where he also was the Spokesperson and Senior Director for Strategic Communications.

Everything You Wanted to Know About GEOINT but Were Afraid to Ask: An Interview with Keith Masback

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Keith Masback, the CEO of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, to talk all things GEOINT.

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: An Interview with Jason Fagone

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Jason Fagone to discuss the history of American codebreaking and his book, The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies.

Chief of Station: An Interview with John Sipher

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with CIA veteran John Sipher, who served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and South Asia.

Dinner at the Center of the Earth: An Interview with Nathan Englander

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Nathan Englander to discuss his new novel, Middle East politics, the Mossad, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and growing up Jewish in America.

Our First Bond Villain: An Interview with Robert Davi

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 11:00:00 -0000

In late July, SPY Historian Vince Houghton traveled to Pasadena, CA to take part in Politicon, the “Unconventional Political Convention” (think Comic Con for political junkies). There he sat down with prolific actor Robert Davi, who played Franz Sanchez, Bond’s nemesis in License to Kill.

Spy Schools: An Interview with Dan Golden

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Dan Golden to discuss his new book, focused on the exploitation of American universities by both foreign and US intelligence agencies.

Preserving Cold War Berlin: An Interview with Bernd von Kostka

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Bernd von Kostka, the Acting Director of the Allied Museum in Berlin, to discuss some of the key stories from the Cold War in Germany.

Whistleblower Aid: An Interview with John Tye and Mark Zaid

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 12:04:27 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorneys John Tye and Mark Zaid to discuss their new project Whistleblower Aid, which is a non-profit organization designed to protect whistleblowers – and to prevent them from becoming leakers.

Foxtrot in Kandahar: An Interview with Duane Evans

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:42:52 -0000

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Duane Evans, who led a team of special operators into Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11.

Patton’s Way: An Interview with James Kelly Morningstar

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Army officer and historian James Kelly Morningstar to discuss the use of intelligence by legendary General George Patton, highlighted in Morningstar’s new book Patton’s Way: A Radical Theory of War.

The Taking of K-129: An Interview with Josh Dean

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Josh Dean to discuss Project Azorian, the Glomar Explorer, and one of the most spectacular covert operations in history.

Buy The Taking of K-129 from the Spy Museum Store

Inside the DIA, Episode 2: An Interview with DIA Historian Greg Elder

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:00:00 -0000

In the second installment of our recurring series, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss the DIA’s role in some of the most momentous events in recent US history.

From the Vault: Civil War Overhead Recon, An Interview with Dr. Jim Green

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:00:00 -0000

Because everyone else is going eclipse crazy, we thought we would re-post SPY Historian Vince Houghton’s interview with one of the tops guys at NASA, Dr. Jim Green. Green’s day job is Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA. In his spare time, he has become one to the top experts in Civil War balloon reconnaissance.

Deep Black: An Interview with Sean McFate

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sean McFate, a former paratrooper, private military contractor, and now author, novelist, and expert in foreign policy and national security strategy. Drs. Houghton and McFate discuss military and intelligence privatization, and McFate’s new book, Deep Black.

China's Cyber Wars: An Interview with TL Williams

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer and Deputy Division Chief for Counterintelligence TL Williams to discuss his career and his new novel, Zero Day: China's Cyber Wars.

Whistleblower at the CIA: An Interview with Melvin Goodman

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 15:17:47 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst Melvin Goodman to discuss his life in government, and his book “A Whistleblower at the CIA: The Path of Dissent” – an insiders account of the politics of intelligence.

Special Forces Berlin: An Interview with James Stejskal

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret James Stejskal to discuss the role of US Army Special Forces, and their actions against the Warsaw Pact, in Cold War Berlin.

Dezinformatsiya: An Interview with Liz Wahl

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Newsy reporter Liz Wahl to discuss Russian efforts to propagate disinformation to the American public – and her unique role in exposing this threat.

Angola, Clausewitz, and the American Way of War: An Interview with Jack McCain

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with US Naval Officer and helicopter pilot Jack McCain to discuss the potential lessons learned from his experiences and his new book, Angola, Clausewitz, and the American Way of War.

From the Vault, 4th of July Edition: Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:00:00 -0000

Hear from former CIA officer Kenneth Daigler, as he closely examines American intelligence activities during the era of the Revolutionary War from 1765 to 1783.

Predicting President Trump: An Interview with the Authors of High Hand

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with James Rosen (McClatchy), James Ellenberger (formerly of AFL-CIO), and Curt Harris (NIH National Cancer Institute), authors of High Hand. Their novel, which involves a Republican presidential candidate with close ties to Russia, was written long before the 2016 election.

The Death of Expertise: An Interview with Tom Nichols

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 13:01:43 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Tom Nichols, professor at the U.S. Naval War College and at the Harvard Extension School, and the author of The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters

Inside the DIA, Episode 1: An Interview with DIA Historian Greg Elder

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:13:04 -0000

In the first installment of what will become a recurring series, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss the DIA’s role in some of the most momentous events in recent US history.

Our Latest Longest War: An Interview with Ben Jones

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ben Jones, the former Transition Coordinator for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, where he coordinated the transfer of Afghanistan's security from the coalition to the Afghan National Security Forces. He is also a contributor to the new book, Our Latest Longest War: Losing Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan.

Agent M: An Interview with Henry Hemming

Tue, 30 May 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with British author Henry Hemming to discuss his newest book Agent M: The Lives and Spies of MI5’s Maxwell Knight.

The Black Hand: An Interview with Stephan Talty

Tue, 23 May 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Stephan Talty, author of two previous books on intelligence, Agent Garbo and The Secret Agent: In Search of America’s Greatest World War II Spy. They discuss his newest book, The Black Hand: The Epic War Between a Brilliant Detective and the Deadliest Secret Society in American History.

The Power of Words: An Interview with Sven Hughes

Tue, 16 May 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sven Hughes, a former reserve soldier within British Military Intelligence, Psychological Operations, and UK Special Forces, to discuss counter-radicalization and the effectiveness of influence operations. Mr. Hughes is also the author of the new book, Verbalization: The Power of Words to Drive Change.

Spies in the Family: An Interview with Eva Dillon

Tue, 09 May 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Eva Dillon, whose father Paul was a career CIA officer who ran one of the most prolific Soviet spies of the Cold War. Their stories are told in Eva’s new book, Spies in the Family: An American Spymaster, His Russian Crown Jewel, and the Friendship That Helped End the Cold War.

CIA Spy Girl: An Interview with Emily Brandwin

Tue, 02 May 2017 13:11:49 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former improv comedienne and CIA operations officer Emily Brandwin to discuss her career(s) and views on many things intel-related.

The Spy Who Couldn’t Spell: An Interview with Yudhijit Bhattacharjee

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Yudhijit Bhattacharjee to discuss the fascinating case of wannabee spy Brian Regan, detailed in Yudhijit’s book The Spy Who Couldn’t Spell: A Dyslexic Traitor, an Unbreakable Code, and the FBI’s Hunt for America’s Stolen Secrets.

The Imagineers of War: An Interview with Sharon Weinberger

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sharon Weinberger, national security journalist and author of the book The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency that Changed the World.

Spy Sites of DC: An Interview with Keith Melton and Bob Wallace

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with intelligence historian Keith Melton, and former chief of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services, Bob Wallace, to discuss their newest collaboration: Spy Sites of Washington, DC.

Buy Spy Sites of Washington, DC from the Spy Museum Store

Deep Undercover: An Interview with Former KGB Illegal Jack Barsky

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Barsky, the longest-surviving known member of the KGB illegals program that operated during the Cold War, and author of the memoir Deep Undercover: My Secret Life & Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America.

SpyCast Roundtable: The Women of NatSec Journalism

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with six extraordinary journalists to discuss the challenges associated with reporting on intelligence and national security. They include: Ali Watkins (BuzzFeed), Mary Louise Kelly (NPR), Jenna McLaughlin (The Intercept), Nancy Youssef (BuzzFeed), Molly O’Toole (Foreign Policy), and Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post).

Allen Dulles, the OSS, and the German Resistance: An Interview with Scott Miller

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Scott Miller, author of Agent 110: An American Spymaster and the German Resistance in WWII, to discuss the relationship between future CIA director Dulles and those Germans scheming to overthrow Hitler.

Climate and Security: An Interview with Brig. Gen Gerry Galloway and Rear Adm. Dave Titley

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 14:15:44 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired US Army Brigadier General Gerry Galloway and retired US Navy Rear Admiral Dave Titley to discuss the intelligence and national security implication of climate change. Both men are members of the Advisory Board of the Center for Climate and Security. ***NOTE: Vince messed up. The correct link to the survey is podcast.study

Author Debriefing - Finks: How the CIA Tricked the World’s Best Writers

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Joel Whitney, the cofounder and editor at large of Guernica: A Magazine of Art & Politics, to discuss his book on how the CIA used culture to fight the Cold War, Finks: How the CIA Tricked the World’s Best Writers.

Author Debriefing - Beware the Predator: The American’s Guide to Personal Security

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Technical Operations Officer Warren Holston and former Air Force intel specialist Dave White to discuss their new book Beware the Predator: The American’s Guide to Personal Security. Get the Book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/beware-the-predator.html#.WL7Y7xIrJUM

How Much Should We Know: An Interview with Alex Howard of the Sunlight Foundation

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Alex Howard, the Deputy Director of the Sunlight Foundation, to discuss the public’s right to know what the government is doing in its name.

From the Vault: The SpyCast Interview with Michael Flynn

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 11:50:00 -0000

A year ago, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former DIA Director and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Here is their conversation.

Spooks and Nukes: An Interview with Dr. James Acton

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss the threat of nuclear confrontation and how intelligence can play a vital role in reducing this danger.

CIA’s Secret War in Laos: An Interview with Josh Kurlantzick

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 15:14:13 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Josh Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss his new book A Great Place to Have a War: The Secret War in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA.

“Historian” Roundtable: 2016 Revisited

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:51:44 -0000

SPY Historians Vince Houghton sat down to rehash the year that was 2016. He was joined by former SPY Historian Mark Stout, former CIA briefer David Priess, and BuzzFeed intelligence and national security reporter Ali Watkins.

John Nixon - Debriefing the President

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton is joined by John Nixon, who shares what he learned as the first man to conduct a prolonged interrogation of the captured Iraqi president. Get the book:http://www.spymuseumstore.org/spycast-books.html

Bioweapons Containment: An Interview with Dr. Hank Parker

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 12:52:39 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bioterrorism expert Hank Parker to discuss current threats and Parker's new book Containment.

Cyber Special Forces: An Interview with Dmitri Alperovitch

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dmitri Alperovitch, the CTO and co-founder of CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm that detected the hack of the DNC, and traced the breach back to Russian intelligence.

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 3

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0000

The Iranian Hostage Crisis (September 1, 2008) In November 1979, radical Iranian students overran the U.S. embassy in Tehran, capturing most of the embassy staff—except for six diplomats who found refuge with the Canadian embassy. Today, Peter talks with retired CIA officer Tony Mendez who, in an elaborate deception and disguise operation, managed to exfiltrate the six Americans from Tehran before the Iranians were able to track them down.

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 1

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0000

The Secret History of Disguises (November 1, 2006) Peter talks with Tony Mendez, former Chief of Disguise for the CIA. Peter and Tony discuss the intricacies of developing disguises for use in hostile environments, the advantages of selective aging, and the secret history of facial recognition technology.

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 2

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0000

Woman in Disguise - Jonna Mendez (November 18, 2008) Jonna Hiestand Mendez began her CIA career as a secretary and ended it as head of the agency’s Office of Technical Services, overseeing the development of gadgets, disguises, and high-tech devices in support of espionage missions. Today, she discusses with Peter some of the operations she was involved in as well as opportunities for women in the intelligence community.

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 3

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 12:00:00 -0000

An Army of Illegals: Assessing the Russian Spy Case (July 12, 2010) Two weeks ago on 27 June, the FBI arrested a network of 10 Russian "deep cover" spies. Peter sits down with former KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin to discuss this remarkable case and the historic spy swap which took place last Friday. Kalugin, who once ran agents in the United States, is forthright in expressing his views about what this case says about the state of Russian intelligence today.

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 1

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 12:00:00 -0000

The Litvinenko Murder and Other Riddles from Moscow (December 4, 2006) Peter sits down with former CIA officer Bob Rayle and Oleg Kalugin to talk Russia past and present. The three discuss their perspectives on the recent poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. Then, they turn to 1967 and Bob's role in the extraordinary defection of Svetlana Alliluyeva, daughter of Josef Stalin.

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 2

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 12:00:00 -0000

Leon Trotsky — Murder in Mexico (September 1, 2007) Peter’s guest today is H. Keith Melton, renowned intelligence historian and owner of the largest collection of espionage artifacts. Keith sheds new light on one of the most notorious intelligence operations of all time—the assassination of exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky in Mexico in 1940. Keith reconstructs the operation in all its phases, including material from his own original research.

The Last Diplomat: An Interview with Devlin Barrett of the WSJ and Adam Entous of the Washington Post

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Devlin Barrett and Adam Entous, co-authors of an exceptional long-form article, written for the Wall Street Journal, which highlights the tension between traditional diplomacy and the counterintelligence mission of the FBI.

High Risk, High Reward: An Interview with IARPA Dep. Director Dr. Stacey Dixon

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Stacey Dixon, the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. Drs. Houghton and Dixon discuss some of the advanced scientific and technological research that will transform intelligence far into the 21st Century.

Pearl Harbor at 75: An Interview with Steve Twomey

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 11:17:27 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Twomey to discuss his new book about the attacks of December 7, 1941, Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack.

CIA’s Man in Havana: An Interview with Canadian Diplomat John Graham

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Canadian diplomat John Graham to discuss his role as the eyes and ears of Western intelligence following the Cuban Missile Crisis. This story, as well as many others, are told in Graham’s memoir, Whose Man in Havana: Adventures from the Far Side of Diplomacy.

Author Debriefing – 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Survival Guide

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with former SEAL Team 6 member Clint Emerson to discuss his new book, 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, a follow-up to his national bestseller 100 Deadly Skills.

Buy 100 Deadly Skills from the Spy Museum Store

Able Archer 83: An Interview with Nate Jones

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:51:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Nate Jones, the Director of the Freedom of Information Act Project for the National Security Archive, and the author of the new book Able Archer 83: The Secret History of the NATO Exercise That Almost Triggered Nuclear War. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/able-archer-83.html#.WIdjWrYrJTY

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part III - Why Mark Felt became Deep Throat

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:01:00 -0000

Intelligence officers and investigative journalists both depend on clandestine sources to divulge secrets. But why do people betray a trust? Peter interviews veteran journalist Max Holland about his new book, Leak, which probes the mind and motivations of one of the most famous clandestine sources in American history: Deep Throat. Hear why Mark Felt, the Deputy Director of the FBI, betrayed President Nixon by leaking to the Washington Post and Time about Watergate. Were Felt’s motives patriotic or self-serving…or both? Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/leak-shy-mark-felt-became-deep-throat.html#.Vz3q4PkrIdU

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part I - An Interview with NBC Chief Political Correspondent Chuck Todd

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd to discuss the growing role of intelligence tradecraft in American election politics. Todd, the host of MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown, explains how political campaigns – on both sides of the aisle – use surveillance, propaganda, disinformation, deception, and covert action to give their candidates a political edge. This interview was recorded on July 29, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2F6lEJU_c

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part II - An Interview with Ken Vogel of POLITICO

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ken Vogel, Chief Investigative Reporter for POLITICO and author of the article, “The Koch Intelligence Agency.” Houghton and Vogel (who tracks the confluence of money, politics, and influence for POLITICO) discuss the use of use surveillance, propaganda, disinformation, deception, and even covert action in modern political campaigns.

Stalin’s Englishman: An Interview with Andrew Lownie

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and literary agent Andrew Lownie, who has been researching Guy Burgess and the Cambridge 5 for over three decades. The culmination of this research is Lownie’s book, Stalin's Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War, and the Cambridge Spy Ring.

Rise of the Machines: An Interview with Dr. Thomas Rid

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Thomas Rid, professor in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, and the author of Rise of the Machines. The book tells the sweeping story of how cybernetics, a late-1940s theory of machines, came to incite anarchy and war half a century later.

Countering Radicalism and Extremism: An Interview with Dr. Lorenzo Vidino and Jesse Morton

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Lorenzo Vidino and Jesse Morton from the Program on Extremism at the George Washington University’s Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. Dr. Vidino, and expert on Islamism in Europe and North America, is the Program’s Director, and Morton, a reformed, former extremist who was once a prominent radicalizer in the West, is a research fellow who sees this work as an opportunity to repair some of the damage caused by his radicalization.

Author Debriefing - True Believer: Stalin’s Last American Spy

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0000

At a live event at the International Spy Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist Kati Marton to discuss Soviet spy Noel Field, the subject of Marton’s new book True Believer: Stalin’s Last American Spy.

From MI to UPI: An Interview with Newsweek’s Jeff Stein

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jeff Stein, who covers the spy agencies and foreign policy for Newsweek in Washington. An Army Intelligence case officer in Vietnam, Stein is an investigative reporter of long standing, specializing in intelligence, defense and foreign policy.

15 Years Later, Part 3: An Interview with Mark Zaid and Bradley Moss

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with national security attorneys Mark Zaid and Brad Moss to discuss the impact of the attacks of 9/11 on the US Constitution, and the continuing legal legacy of that fateful day.

15 Years Later, Part 2: An Interview with Ambassador Cofer Black

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:00:00 -0000

15 Years Later, Part 1: An Interview with Dr. Barbara Sude

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 14:04:38 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst Barbara Sude to discuss the intelligence analysis leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Dr. Sude was one of a team of analysts at CIA who focused on Al Qaeda and bin Laden starting in the 1990s.

Securing Cyberspace: An Interview with Charlie Mitchell

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Charlie Mitchell, editor and co-founder of Inside Cybersecurity, and the author of Hacked: The Inside Story of America's Struggle to Secure Cyberspace. Houghton and Mitchell discuss the ongoing congressional debates over cybersecurity, the landmark framework of cybersecurity standards crafted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the policy ramifications of major hacking events.

When COIN Works: An Interview with Tom Ordeman

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 11:00:01 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with antiterrorism advisor and risk management specialist Tom Ordeman to discuss the little-know case of the Dhofar Rebellion. Often called the “Secret War” (because so few people have heard of it), the Dhofar Rebellion is an example of COIN Theory implemented to perfection.

The Corrupted State: An interview with Ilya Zaslavskiy

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:47:36 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ilya Zaslavskiy, who was falsely accused of espionage by Russian security services (the FSB). Unwilling to sit back and allow others to be victimized by a corrupt system, Ilya now dedicates his time to exposing those at the heart of the Russian kleptocracy. See his petition here: https://www.change.org/p/chancellor-chris-patten-oxford-university-and-other-academic-entities-review-cooperation-with-putin-s-oligarchs

GPS Declassified: An Interview with Richard Easton

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:00:01 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Richard Easton, author of GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones, to discuss the development of GPS and its role in the military, intelligence, and civilian domains. Easton’s father, Roger, led the Space Applications Branch of the Naval Research Laboratory from the Vanguard Satellite era to the early days of GPS development.

Blurred Lines: An Interview with Georgetown International Law Professor Rosa Brooks

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:00:01 -0000

Blurred Lines: An Interview with Georgetown International Law Professor Rosa Brooks SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Rosa Brooks, professor of national security law, Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation, and author of the new book How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything: Tales from the Pentagon.

Author Debriefing: NSA’s Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:00:01 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Stephen Budiansky, the author of seventeen books about military history, intelligence and espionage, science, the natural world, and other subjects, to discuss the history of the NSA and his new book, NSA’s Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union.

A Lifetime in Intelligence: An Interview with ex-CIA Officer Stephen Slick

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer Steve Slick, who spent more than three decades at the Agency as a case officer, chief of station, and senior executive. He is now the inaugural Director of the Intelligence Studies Project at the University of Texas, Austin.

Goat Staring and Other Oddities: An Interview with Jon Ronson

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 20:07:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton traveled to Politicon in Pasadena, CA and sat down (before a live audience) with Jon Ronson, author of The Men Who Stare at Goats, and all-around interesting person.

The Secret History of WWII: An Interview with Sir Max Hastings

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Sir Max Hastings, whose 20+ books have set the standard for historical writing over the last 40 years. Dr. Houghton and Sir Max discuss the fascinating topic of Hastings’ new book, The Secret War: Spies, Ciphers, and Guerrillas, 1939-1945, arguably the best single-volume history of the secret side of the War.

Intel at Leyte: An Interview with John Prados

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:04:49 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. John Prados, author of the new book Storm Over Leyte: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy. Drs. Houghton and Prados discuss the role of intelligence in the Pacific War and, specifically, how it impacted the Battle of Leyte Gulf – the largest naval battle in world history.

Author Debriefing: Executing the Rosenbergs: Death and Diplomacy in a Cold War World

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:07:05 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Lori Clune, Associate Professor of History at California State University, Fresno, to discuss her new book on how the Rosenberg spy case affected American relations with the rest of the world. A completely new way of looking at this milestone in spy history.

Combating Extremism: An Interview with Dr. Tara Maller

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:00:01 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Tara Maller, the Spokesperson and a Senior Policy Advisor for the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), to discuss the growing threat – and responses to – online extremism. To learn more about the CEP, go to http://www.counterextremism.com

The Missing Man: An Interview with the NYT’s Barry Meier

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 16:20:31 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Barry Meier of the New York Times to discuss the story of Bob Levinson, former FBI agent and CIA contract worker, who disappeared in Iran in 2007. Meier’s book, Missing Man: The American Spy Who Vanished in Iran, drew on years of interviews and never-before-disclosed CIA files to weave together a riveting narrative of the ex-agent's journey to Iran and the hunt to rescue him.

From the SpyCast Vault: D-Day Anniversary Edition

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 11:00:00 -0000

Juan Pujol was the Walter Mitty of World War II, a nobody who at one doomed venture after another while dreaming of doing something interesting with his life -- saving Western civilization, if possible. Journalist Stephan Talty, whose work has appeared widely, including in the New York Times Magazine and GQ, has told the remarkable story of how against all the odds, Pujol did just that by becoming agent GARBO, the most important double agent of World War II. Hear Talty discuss his new book with SPY Historian Mark Stout in this author debriefing which took place on July 12, 2012.

The Blonde Bond: An Interview with Vanity Fair’s Howard Blum

Tue, 31 May 2016 15:32:29 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Howard Blum, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and the author of The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal, a book about one of the greatest spies of WWII, Betty Pack. Pack used seduction as her tradecraft, and stole some of the most consequential secrets of the war.

The Commander: An Interview with Gen. David Petraeus

Tue, 24 May 2016 10:00:01 -0000

Author Debriefing: Eisenhower's Guerrillas: The Jedburghs, the Maquis, and the Liberation of France

Tue, 17 May 2016 11:00:01 -0000

SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with Ben Jones, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of History, Dakota State University. Dr. Jones also served as an advisor to the National Military Academy of Afghanistan and later as a liaison officer to the Afghan Ministries of Defense, Interior, and their National Directorate of Security for the effort to transition Afghan security from the coalition back to Afghanistan. Peter and Dr. Jones discuss Ben’s new book, Eisenhower's Guerrillas: The Jedburghs, the Maquis, and the Liberation of France.

Corporate Espionage: An Interview with CNBC’s Eamon Javers

Tue, 10 May 2016 15:00:59 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton discusses corporate espionage with CNBC’s Washington Reporter Eamon Javers, who is also the author of the book Broker, Trader, Lawyer, Spy: The Secret World of Corporate Espionage. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/broker-trader-lawyer-spy.html#.Vz3tD_krIdU

Playing to the Edge: An Interview with Gen. Michael Hayden

Tue, 03 May 2016 10:00:01 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA and CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden to discuss his role as the only person to head both of these key intelligence agencies. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/playing-to-the-edge.html#.VyipoBUrJTY

Historian Roundtable, Part II: A Conversation with the SPY Historians

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 11:00:00 -0000

Current SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with all of his former colleagues to discuss listener questions. To submit your own questions, send them via email to spycast@spymuseum.org, or on Twitter, @intlspycast.

Victor in the Rubble: An Interview with Alex Finley

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:03:09 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Alex Finley, author of the new satirical novel about CIA and the War on Terror, Victor in the Rubble. Finley, herself a former officer in CIA’s Directorate of Operations, provides a hilarious look at the bureaucratic absurdity of intelligence operations, and the great lengths capable officers will go to overcome it.

Buy Victor in the Rubble from the Spy Museum Store

The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents from Kennedy to Obama

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with former CIA intelligence officer, manager, and daily intelligence briefer David Priess to discuss his new book centered on the President’s Daily Brief (PDB). Every living former President and Vice President, along with most former CIA Directors, Secretaries of State and Defense, National Security Advisors, White House Chiefs of Staff, and senior intelligence leaders, shared with Priess their personal stories about the PDB. And by digging through both the extensive files of the Presidential libraries and millions of pages of declassified CIA raw intelligence reports, analytic assessments, and memos—Priess emerges with a unique—and fascinating—look into the most tightly controlled document in modern world.

Buy The President's Book of Secrets from the Spy Museum Store

Sold Out? Iraq, the CIA, and the Kurds: An Interview with Dr. Bryan Gibson

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 08:00:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Bryan Gibson to discuss the tumultuous history of US foreign policy in Iraq. From the end of the Second World War through today, Iraq has remained a key component in the American security calculus. Houghton and Gibson take a deep dive into this period, and Gibson demonstrates how Iraq should be considered an integral Cold War environment alongside such places as Cuba, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

Author Debriefing: Queen of Spies: Daphne Park, Britain's Cold War Spy Master

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 19:26:26 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paddy Hayes to discuss his book Queen of Spies: Daphne Park, Britain's Cold War Spy Master. Hayes recounts the fascinating story of the evolution of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) from World War II to the Cold War through the eyes of Daphne Park, one of its outstanding and most unusual operatives. He gives one of the most intimate narratives yet of how the modern SIS actually went about its business whether in Moscow, Hanoi, or the Congo, and shows how Park was able to rise through the ranks of a field that had been comprised almost entirely of men. Queen of Spies captures all the paranoia, isolation, deception of Cold War intelligence work, and combines it with the personal story of one extraordinary woman trying to navigate this secretive world.

Defeating ISIS: An Interview with Malcolm Nance

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Arabic speaking naval intelligence counter-terrorism and intelligence officer Malcolm Nance. After spending 35 years participating in field and combat intelligence activity including both covert and clandestine anti counter-terrorism support to national intelligence agencies, he is now a member of the Board of Advisors here at the International Spy Museum. Houghton and Nance discuss the rise of ISIS, the connection between Islam and terrorism, the spread of radicalism worldwide, and Nance’s prescription for the ultimate defeat of the Islamic State.

Special Breed of Warrior: An Interview with Former SEAL Clinton Emerson

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:34:25 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former SEAL Team 6 member Clinton Emerson to discuss the role of special operations forces in modern intelligence activities. Houghton and Emerson delve into Clint’s life as a SEAL, his work with the National Security Agency, and his new book 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/100-deadly-skills.html#.VvVe-eIrKUk

Intelligence Analysis in the 21st Century: An Interview with Dr. Mark Lowenthal

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Mark Lowenthal, former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis and Production and Vice Chairman for Evaluation on the National Intelligence Council – and the man who (literally) wrote the book on intelligence analysis. Drs. Houghton and Lowenthal discuss the current state of intelligence education, the successes and failures of post-9/11 intelligence reform, and the controversial CIA analysis on Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Army Intelligence: A View from the Top. An Interview with the Chief of Army Intel, LTG Mary Legere

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with current Army G-2 LTG Mary Legere to discuss the current role and mission of Army Intelligence. LTG Legere, who has spent her entire career as an intelligence officer, also provides some historical context on how the dynamic environment of military intelligence has changed since the beginning of the “War on Terror.” Finally, LTG Legere provides invaluable insight into what it feels like to be a woman at the top of what has been traditionally considered a man’s world – in a double sense: both the military and the intelligence community – and how she uses her position to help train and cultivate the next generation of America’s leaders.

Author Debriefing: United States of Jihad. An Interview with Peter Bergen

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Peter Bergen to discuss his newest book, United States of Jihad: Investigating America's Homegrown Terrorists. Paced like a detective story, the book tells the entwined stories of the key actors on the American front. Drawing on his extensive network of intelligence contacts, from the National Counterterrorism Center and the FBI to the NYPD, Bergen also offers an inside look at the controversial tactics of the agencies tracking potential terrorists—from infiltrating mosques to massive surveillance; at the bias experienced by innocent observant Muslims at the hands of law enforcement; at the critics and defenders of U.S. policies on terrorism; and at how social media has revolutionized terrorism. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/united-states-of-jihad.html#.Vxk3s5MrJTY

History Roundtable: A Conversation with Drs. Alexis Albion, Thomas Boghardt, Mark Stout, and Vince Houghton

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:30:00 -0000

In what will hopefully become a series of conversations here at the Spy Museum, all of the past and present SPY historians sat down to discuss a key issue in the world of intelligence – from a historical, but not-too-formal perspective. This week’s topic: who is your favorite spy? Join Alexis, Thomas, Mark, and Vince as they present their cases, and stick around to hear how you can find more information on each of our favorites.

The CI Professional: An Interview with Dr. John Schindler

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA counterintelligence officer John Schindler to discuss his experiences in the Balkans, and his views on the current intelligence war against Russia. Houghton and Schindler also dive into Edward Snowden, WikiLeaks, and the unending battle against violent extremism.

Defense Intelligence in the 21st Century: An Interview with Former DIA Director Michael Flynn

Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with LTG (Ret) Michael Flynn, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2012-2014. Houghton and Flynn discuss the challenges DIA has faced in the last several decades, including the sharp transitions from the Soviet threat to the asymmetrical threats of the modern day. They also discuss the ways DIA, and the IC as a whole, must adapt to meet the uncertainty of the future. For information about LTG Flynn’s upcoming book, visit http://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250106223.

The Real Story of the U-2 Incident: An Interview with Francis Gary Powers, Jr.

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gary Powers, Jr., the son of the legendary U-2 pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. Vince and Gary discuss his father’s legacy, the incorrect assumptions about his father’s capture, and the retelling of his father’s story in the Spielberg movie Bridge of Spies, now available on Blu-Ray.

Higher, Faster, Stealthier: An Interview with SR-71 Pilot Buz Carpenter

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with USAF Colonel (Ret.) Buz Carpenter, who flew some of the most incredible aircraft ever developed. As an RF-4C pilot in Vietnam, Col. Carpenter flew low level reconnaissance missions over enemy territory. Later, as the pilot of the SR-71, Buz took aviation to speeds and heights that have yet to be equaled (except by other SR-71s). Finally, at the end of his Air Force career, Col. Carpenter worked with the USAF’s Blackworld program, helping to develop today’s most advanced aircraft.

The Radicalization of Women in Islam: An Interview with Farhana Qazi

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Farhana Qazi, a scholar and speaker on conflicts in the Islamic world, and the first American Muslim woman to serve in the National Counter-Terrorism Center. Houghton and Qazi discuss the role of women in radical Islam, the fight against ISIS, The changing status of women in the Muslim world, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the current state of Pakistan and Kashmir. As a Muslim woman, Qazi provides unique insight into political Islam and the impact of war on Muslim populations.

Author Debriefing: JFK's Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA, and Sino-Indian War

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 15:30:00 -0000

During a public program at the Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Bruce Riedel, author of JFK's Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA, and Sino-Indian War. Riedel, who is a senior fellow and director of the Brookings Intelligence Project, joined Brookings following a thirty-year career at the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as a senior adviser to the last four U.S. presidents on South Asia and the Middle East. His book is a story of war, diplomacy, and covert action, told with authority and perspective. He draws on newly declassified letters between Kennedy and Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru, along with the diaries and memoirs of key players and other sources, to make this the definitive account of JFK's forgotten crisis.

Political Espionage: An Interview with Ken Vogel of POLITICO

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:30:00 -0000

Author Debriefing: Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with PW Singer, co-author of Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War (which he wrote with August Cole). In the spirit of early Tom Clancy (especially Red Storm Rising), Ghost Fleet is a imagining of how World War III might play out. But what makes it even more notable is how the book smashes together the technothriller and nonfiction genres. It is a novel, but with 400 endnotes, showing how every trend and technology featured in book— no matter how sci-fi it may seem — is real. Singer, who is also a contributing editor at Popular Science, lays out the future of technology and war, while following a global cast of characters fighting at sea, on land, in the air and in two new places of conflict: outer space and cyberspace. For more on Ghost Fleet, check out ghostfleetbook.com.

The Whistleblower: An Interview with Thomas Drake

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Thomas Drake, former senior executive of the NSA – and whistleblower – who in 2010 was indicted on 10 felony counts; charges that would have carried decades of prison time had Drake been convicted. Instead, in early June 2011, the government dropped all of the charges and agreed not to seek any jail time in return for Drake's guilty plea to a misdemeanor of misusing the NSA’s computer system. Although the legal case was settled, the controversy would continue, as a new wave of whistleblowers (or leakers – depending on your perspective) burst on to the public scene, and dramatically changed the way many Americans viewed the power of their government.

Coast Guard Intelligence: An Interview with Captain Erich Telfer

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Captain Erich Telfer, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Atlantic in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Houghton and Telfer discuss the role of the Coast Guard in the broader American intelligence community, the professionalization of the Coast Guard intel branch, and CAPT Telfer’s research into the intelligence response to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. CAPT Telfer’s study can be read here: http://ni-u.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Telfer_UnlimitedImpossibilites.pdf

Author Debriefing: Spies, Scouts, and Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Tom Ryan, former intelligence professional for the Department of Defense and author of Spies, Scouts, and Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign. The first book to offer a unique and incisive comparative study of intelligence operations during what many consider the war’s decisive campaign, Ryan’s study evaluates how Gen. Robert E. Lee used intelligence resources, including cavalry, civilians, newspapers, and spies to gather information about Union activities during his invasion of the North in June and July 1863, and how this intelligence influenced General Lee’s decisions. Simultaneously, Ryan explores the effectiveness of the Union Army of the Potomac’s intelligence and counterintelligence operations. Both Maj. Gens. Joe Hooker and George G. Meade relied upon cavalry, the Signal Corps, and an intelligence staff known as the Bureau of Military Information that employed innovative concepts to gather, collate, and report vital information from a variety of sources. The result is an eye-opening, day-by-day analysis of how and why the respective army commanders implemented their strategy and tactics, with an evaluation of their respective performance as they engaged in a battle of wits to learn the enemy’s location, strength, and intentions.

The World of Global Jihad: A Conversation with Morten Storm

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton talked to Morten Storm, who, after a decade of jihadi life, not only repudiated extremism but, in a quest for atonement, became a double agent for the CIA and British and Danish intelligence. He is now in hiding, fearful that some vengeful jihadist will try to kill him for his work with Western intelligence. However, this won’t stop him from providing SpyCast with his insight and expertise on global terrorism. On a regular basis, SpyCast will send questions to Morten, he will record his answers, and we will post them here. To be a part of this conversation, send your questions for Morten Storm to spycast@spymuseum.org. We will take the best questions and send them to Morten for the next installment. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/agen-storm-book.html#.Vz3lp_krIdU

The Public’s Right to Know: An Interview with Sheryl Shenberger, the Director of the National Declassification Center

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sheryl Shenberger, the Director of the National Declassification Center at the National Archives. President Obama pledged to preside over the most transparent government ever — a vow that included declassifying as many documents as possible. Houghton and Shenberger discuss the process behind declassification, as the NDC tries to honor the President’s promise by closely working with intelligence agencies to release documents to the public. Why do some historic records get released while others do not? Is automatic declassification after 25 or 50 years really automatic? When do we get to learn who really killed JFK?

The Real Story of Rudolph Abel: An Interview with Vin Arthey

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Vin Arthey, who has spent most of his adult life researching the life of KGB Colonel William Fisher – better known as Rudolf Abel. Working with secret sources and inside information, Arthey turned this lifelong study into a fascinating book, Abel: The True Story of the Spy They Swapped for Gary Powers. Houghton and Arthey trace the adventures (and misadventures) of one of the most extraordinary characters in the history of the Cold War.

Author Debriefing: Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Doug Waller to discuss his new book Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan. The author of the critically acclaimed bestseller Wild Bill Donovan, Waller tells Houghton the story of four OSS warriors of World War II. All four later led the CIA. They are the most famous and controversial directors the CIA has ever had—Allen Dulles, Richard Helms, William Colby, and William Casey. Disciples is the story of these dynamic agents and their daring espionage and sabotage in wartime Europe under OSS Director Bill Donovan.

Hitler in Los Angeles: An Interview with Professor Steve Ross

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with University of Southern California history professor Steve Ross to discuss the ongoing research for his upcoming book Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews and their Spies Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America. Ross explains how a group of patriotic citizens refused to wait for the authorities to act on the Nazi menace in America, and instead took matters into their own hands. A never-before-told true story of classic infiltration and espionage in the 1930s and World War II.

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Russian Intelligence – Past and Present

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest and former KGB General Oleg Kalugin discuss the current espionage conflict between Russia and Georgia, reminisce about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and bring an old question to light: Was Isaac Stone a Russian spy? From October 2006.

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Blind Over Cuba

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:30:00 -0000

Professor David Barrett discusses his book Blind over Cuba: The Photo Gap and the Missile Crisis which he wrote with Max Holland. He describes to former SPY Historian Mark Stout how the Kennedy Administration impeded reconnaissance flights over Cuba in the weeks before the crisis and how the Administration successfully covered up that fact. From October 2012.

Author Debriefing: Church of Spies: The Pope’s Secret War Against Hitler

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with author Mark Riebling to discuss his new book on the wartime espionage of the Catholic Church. The Vatican’s silence in the face of Nazi atrocities remains one of the great controversies of our time. History has accused wartime pontiff Pius the Twelfth of complicity in the Holocaust and dubbed him “Hitler’s Pope.” But a key part of the story has remained untold. In fact, Pius ran the world’s largest church, smallest state, and oldest spy service. Saintly but secretive, he skimmed from church charities to pay covert couriers, and surreptitiously tape-recorded his meetings with top Nazis. When he learned of the Holocaust, Pius played his cards close to his chest. He sent birthday cards to Hitler—while secretly plotting to kill him. Church of Spies documents this cloak and dagger intrigue in shocking detail. Gun-toting Jesuits stole blueprints to Hitler’s homes. A Catholic book publisher flew a sports plane over the Alps with secrets filched from the head of Hitler’s bodyguard. The keeper of the Vatican crypt ran a spy ring that betrayed German war plans and wounded Hitler in a briefcase bombing.

Author Debriefing: Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:30:00 -0000

When Jason Hanson joined the CIA in 2003, he never imagined that the same tactics he used as a CIA officer for counter intelligence, surveillance, and protecting agency personnel would prove to be essential in everyday civilian life. In addition to escaping handcuffs, picking locks, and spotting when someone is telling a lie, he can improvise a self-defense weapon, pack a perfect emergency kit, and even disappear off the grid if necessary. He has also honed his "positive awareness" – a heightened sense of his surroundings that allows him to spot suspicious and potentially dangerous behavior – on the street, in a taxi, at the airport, when dining out, or in any other situation. With the skill of a trained operative and the relatability of a suburban dad, Hanson brings his top-level training to everyday Americans in this guide to staying safe in an increasingly dangerous world.

Author Debriefing: The Pentagon’s Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America’s Top-Secret Military Research Agency

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0000

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the radical force behind the nation’s most revolutionary, high-tech military initiatives over the past half century. To write the first definitive history of the world’s most powerful and productive military science agency, bestselling author Annie Jacobsen tracked down DARPA scientists, past and present, including current neuroscientists building an artificial brain, cell biologists working on limb regeneration, and even the Nobel Laureate who invented the laser. From conflict-tested science experiments, like Agent Orange and electronic barriers on the battlefield during Vietnam, to War on Terror insect drones, smart rockets, camera-filled war zones and advanced computer programs, she tracks DARPA from its Cold War inception to present day research controversies. Jacobsen shared her journey to the heart of the military-industrial complex—a place where science fiction and military science collide—and revealed a future that is fascinating and potentially frightening.

Covering Intelligence, Part 2: An Interview with Ali Watkins of the Huffington Post

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0000

In Part 2 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Ali Watkins, who covers intelligence and national security for the Huffington Post. Houghton and Watkins discuss the difficulties in reporting on this most secret of topics, the dangers – and benefits – of using anonymous sources, and the ever-changing nature of intelligence and national security journalism. Part 1 of this series was with Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times, and Part 3 will be with Greg Miller of the Washington Post.

Covering Intelligence, Part 3: An Interview with Greg Miller of the Washington Post

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0000

In Part 3 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Greg Miller, who covers intelligence and national security for the Washington Post. Houghton and Miller discuss the difficulties in reporting on this most secret of topics, the dangers – and benefits – of using anonymous sources, and the ever-changing nature of intelligence and national security journalism. Part 1 of this series was with Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times, and Part 2 was with Ali Watkins of the Huffington Post.

Covering Intelligence, Part 1: An Interview with Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0000

In Part 1 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mark Mazzetti, who covers intelligence and national security for the New York Times. Houghton and Mazzetti discuss the difficulties in reporting on this most secret of topics, the dangers – and benefits – of using anonymous sources, and the ever-changing nature of intelligence and national security journalism. Part 2 of this series will be with Ali Watkins of the Huffington Post, and Part 3 will be with Greg Miller of the Washington Post.

Author Debriefing: Climate Change and Conflict Prevention

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with career US Foreign Service Officer J. Andrew Plowman to discuss his book, Climate Change and Conflict Prevention. Plowman uses the Darfur conflict as a case study to examine how the effects of climate change might lead to future violent conflicts, and he assesses the best way to prevent these conflicts. Mr. Plowman’s service with the State Department has included assignments to Peru, Panama, Kazakhstan, and Brazil, as well as Washington assignments with the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the Economics, Energy, and Business Affairs Bureau.

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part III)

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Cuban-exile-turned-CIA-officer Felix Rodriguez to discuss his extraordinary intelligence career. As a teenager, Rodriguez joined the effort to overthrow (and kill) Fidel Castro. After that mission failed, he trained and led the team that hunted – and captured – the guerilla Che Guevara in Bolivia. By the late 1960s, he took his counterinsurgency experience and applied it in covert operations against America’s enemies in Vietnam. This, and much more. Warning: This podcast contains some salty language. Consider it PG-13.

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part II)

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:30:00 -0000

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part I)

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:30:00 -0000

Author Debriefing: The Billion Dollar Spy

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:30:00 -0000

While getting into his car on the evening of February 16, 1978, the chief of the CIA's Moscow station was handed an envelope by an unknown Russian. Its contents stunned the Americans: details of top secret Soviet research and development in military technology that was totally unknown to the United States. From David Hoffman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Dead Hand, comes the riveting story of the CIA's most valuable spy in the Soviet Union and an evocative portrait of the agency's Moscow station, an outpost of daring espionage in the last years of the Cold War. Drawing on previously secret documents obtained from the CIA, as well as interviews with participants, Hoffman will reveal how the depredations of the Soviet state motivated one man to master the craft of spying against his own nation until he was betrayed to the KGB by a disgruntled former CIA trainee. No one has ever told this story before in such detail, and Hoffman's deep knowledge of spycraft, the Cold War, and military technology makes him uniquely qualified to bring to the International Spy Museum this real life espionage thriller.

From the CIA to the Classroom: An Interview with Joe Wippl

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Joe Wippl, the Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of the Practice of International Relations, Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies. Wippl is also a former CIA officer, who spent a 30 year career as an operations officer in the National Clandestine Service – at the time (as it is again) the Directorate of Operations. Houghton and Wippl discuss his time serving overseas as an operations officer and operations manager in Bonn, West Germany; Guatemala City; Luxembourg; Madrid, Spain; Mexico City; Vienna, Austria; and Berlin, Germany – where he was the Station Chief. Later, while on assignments in CIA headquarters, he served as the Deputy Chief of Human Resources, as the Senior NCS representative to the Aldrich Ames Damage Assessment Team, as Chief of Europe Division and as the CIA’s Director of Congressional Affairs.

Author Debriefing: How to Catch a Russian Spy

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 15:30:00 -0000

For three nerve-wracking years, Naveed Jamali spied on the United States for the Russians – or so the Russians believed. Hear Naveed bring his unbelievable, yet true, story to life. By trading thumb drives of sensitive technical data for envelopes of cash, he pretended to sell out his own country across noisy restaurant tables and in quiet parking lots. Although he had no formal espionage training, with the help of an initially reluctant FBI duo he ended up at the center of a highly successful counterintelligence operation that targeted Russian espionage in New York City. With news about Russia’s disintegrating relationship with the United States a frequent headline and political hot topic, How to Catch a Russian Spy is the one-of-a-kind story of how one young man’s post-college adventure became a real-life US counter-intelligence coup. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/how-to-catch-a-russian-spy.html#.Vz3ixZMrJTY

Author Debriefing: Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy: The Story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the Cross-Dressing Spy Who Commanded Her Own Army

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with biographer Phyllis Birnbaum to discuss her newest book, based on the life of Kawashima Yoshiko, who supported the puppet Manchu state established by the Japanese in 1932--one reason she was executed for treason after Japan's 1945 defeat. The truth of Yoshiko's life is still a source of contention between China and Japan: some believe she was exploited by powerful men, others claim she relished her role as political provocateur. China holds her responsible for unspeakable crimes, while Japan has forgiven her transgressions. This biography presents the richest and most accurate portrait to date of the controversial princess spy, recognizing her truly novel role in conflicts that transformed East Asia.

Author Debriefing: When Should State Secrets Stay Secret?: Accountability, Democratic Governance, and Intelligence

Tue, 19 May 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Gen Lester to discuss her new book, When Should State Secrets Stay Secret. Lester’s book examines the oversight mechanisms that have developed within all three branches of government, how they interact, and what types of historical pivot points have driven change among them. She suggests ways to improve oversight mechanisms based on her expert analysis. The book also includes a fascinating chapter on the inner workings of the CIA to which a number of CIA officers contributed.

From CIA to Congress: An Interview with US Congressman Will Hurd

Tue, 12 May 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Representative Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, to discuss his unique background as a former CIA officer who is now a Member of the US House of Representatives. After spending most of a decade working in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, Rep. Hurd brought his experiences and lessons-learned to the Halls of Congress, where he serves on key committees, including Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform.

The Rosenbergs: The Definitive Debate

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 15:30:00 -0000

More than sixty years after their execution in June 1953 for conspiring to steal atomic secrets for the Soviet Union, debate still rages about the Rosenbergs. Mike Meeropol, the son of Julius and Ethel, has spent his life in pursuit of the real story behind his parents’ secret lives, their trials, their convictions for espionage, and ultimately their executions. Sam Roberts, journalist for The New York Times, is the author of The Brother, a book written with exclusive access to David Greenglass, Ethel’s brother, whose testimony almost single-handedly convicted the couple. In this extraordinary debate, these renowned Rosenberg scholars— with very different perspectives—take on the divisive issues and key questions that remain despite the declassification of intelligence files from the United States and the Soviet Union. Dr. Vince Houghton, historian and curator of the International Spy Museum and an expert on nuclear intelligence, moderated this authoritative debate on the Rosenberg case. This event took place April 21, 2015.

Intelligence and Arms Control: An Interview with Kelsey Davenport

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kelsey Davenport, the Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, where she provides research and analysis on the nuclear and missile programs in Iran, North Korea, India, and Pakistan and on nuclear security issues. Vince and Kelsey discuss the complexity of the arms control process, the role of intelligence in verifying the status of nuclear weapon states, and the hope for a future without the danger of nuclear proliferation.

Washington’s Spies: An Interview with Alexander Rose

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian and author Alex Rose, whose book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring, is the source material for AMC Network’s series TURN. Drs. Houghton and Rose (who is a writer and co-producer of TURN) discuss history on TV, and the plotline of the second season of the hit series. They also take time to focus on the real history of the period, what is history and what is “Hollywood”, the Culper spy ring, and the importance of intelligence during the American Revolution.

From the SpyCast Vault: An Interview with Major General Michael Ennis

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:30:00 -0000

Former SPY Historian Mark Stout sat down with Marine Maj. Gen. (ret.) Mike Ennis to discuss human intelligence (HUMINT) within the Defense Department and the CIA. In 1998, Ennis commanded the Joint Intelligence Center of the United States Pacific Command, was later named Director of Marine Corps Intelligence Command in 2000, and was the Director of HUMINT for the DIA. In 2006, he was named Deputy Director of Community HUMINT of the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service, his final government posting before his retirement in 2007. This SpyCast was recorded on February 11, 2013.

Author Debriefing | Operation Chowhound: The Most Risky, Most Glorious US Bomber Mission of WWII

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Australian author Stephen Dando-Collins to discuss his new book, Operation Chowhound. Beginning with a crazy plan hatched by a suspect prince, and an even crazier reliance on the word of the Nazis, Operation Chowhound was devised. Between May 1 and May 8, 1945, 2,268 military units flown by the USAAF, dropped food to 3.5 million starving Dutch civilians in German-occupied Holland. Dando-Collins takes the reader into the rooms where Operation Chowhound was born, into the aircraft flying the mission, and onto the ground in the Netherlands with the civilians who so desperately needed help. James Bond creator Ian Fleming, Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn, as well as Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Churchill all play a part in this compelling story.

Intelligence in the Early Republic: An Interview with Ken Daigler

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:30:00 -0000

The history of American intelligence in the Revolution and Civil War has been extensively covered by both professional and amateur historians. But what about the time in between the wars? SPY historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired career CIA operations officer and historian Ken Daigler to discuss American espionage during the earliest period of United States history. Who were the first foreign agents sent to collect HUMINT? Can we look at the Lewis and Clark expedition as an intelligence operation? How well did American intelligence function during the War of 1812? The Mexican-American War? Daigler, author of Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War and two seminal articles on early American intelligence for the CIA’s Studies in Intelligence, provides the answers.

Author Debriefing: The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:30:00 -0000

For more than forty years, the United States has played an indispensable role helping the Chinese government build a booming economy, develop its scientific and military capabilities, and take its place on the world stage, in the belief that China’s rise will bring us cooperation, diplomacy, and free trade. But what if the "China Dream" is to replace us, just as America replaced the British Empire, without firing a shot? Mike Pillsbury, a fluent Mandarin speaker who has served in senior national security positions in the U.S. government since the days of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, draws on his decades of contact with the "hawks" in China’s military and intelligence agencies and translates their documents, speeches, and books to show how the teachings of traditional Chinese statecraft underpin their actions. He offers an inside look at how the Chinese really view America and its leaders – as barbarians who will be the architects of their own demise.

Defending a Spy: An Interview with Espionage Attorney Plato Cacheris

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 15:30:00 -0000

What do Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and Ana Montes have in common? Two things: they all spied against the United States, and they all had Plato Cacheris as their lawyer. SPY Historian Vince Houghton and Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with the legendary defense attorney to discuss many of his most (in)famous clients – including Ames, Hanssen, Montes – who stole some of America’s most guarded secrets.

Author Debriefing | Iran-Contra: Reagan’s Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:30:00 -0000

Through exhaustive use of declassified documents, previously unavailable investigative materials, and wide-ranging interviews, Malcolm Byrne explores what made the Iran-Contra scandal possible and meticulously relates how it unfolded—including clarifying minor myths about cakes, keys, bibles, diversion memos, and shredding parties. Byrne, the Deputy Director and Research Director at the National Security Archive, demonstrates that the affair could not have occurred without awareness and approval at the top levels of the US government. He reveals an unmistakable pattern of dubious behavior—including potentially illegal conduct by the president, vice president, the secretaries of state and defense, the CIA director and others—that formed the true core of the scandal.

Drones: Past, Present, and Future: An Interview with Dr. Trevor McCrisken

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Guest host Dr. Chris Moran of Warwick University (UK) sat down with his colleague, Dr. Trevor McCrisken, for a SpyCast on the role of drones in modern surveillance, warfighting, and counterterrorism. McCrisken, whose biography can be found here, discusses the weaponization of drones, the targeted killing program of the Bush and Obama administrations, the perception in the West that the drone war is “costless”, and the possibility of what he calls the “perpetual war” against global terrorism.

Inside the Stasi Archives: An Interview with Dr. Doug Selvage

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Doug Selvage to discuss the archives of the East German Ministry of State Security, the Stasi. Dr. Selvage, Project Director in the Office of the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Records in Berlin, has published widely on the CSCE process, Polish-German relations under communism, and the history of the Soviet bloc. He and Houghton focus on the history of the Stasi, its role in the Cold War struggle between East and West, the devious disinformation campaign to convince the world that the United States was responsible for the AIDS epidemic, and the monumental effort to reconstruct millions of secret documents shredded at the end of the Cold War.

Spies, Policymakers, and Nuclear Weapons: An Interview with Gregg Herken (Part 2)

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton continues his conversation with historian Gregg Herken, focusing on his previous four books on US nuclear policy. Brotherhood of the Bomb, Cardinal Choices, Counsels of War, and The Winning Weapon redefined the ways historians and policymakers have viewed nuclear weapons. Houghton – who himself is a historian of nuclear weapons and intelligence – and Herken discuss the challenges faced by American policymakers and intelligence professionals in dealing with the world’s most dangerous weapon.

Spies, Policymakers, and Nuclear Weapons: An Interview with Gregg Herken (Part 1)

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Gregg Herken to discuss his new book The Georgetown Set: Friends and Rivals in Cold War Washington. Herken, the professor emeritus of modern American diplomatic history at the University of California, gives a behind-the-scenes history of postwar Washington – the close-knit group of journalists, spies, and government officials who planned and waged the Cold War over cocktails and dinner.

Can a Drone Read Your Email? : An Interview with Mike Tassey and Rich Perkins

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Mike Tassey and Rich Perkins, creators of the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform, a state-of-the-art cyber drone. Mike and Rich built their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in their garage using off-the-shelf electronics, and with the intention of proving that a drone could be used to launch a cyber-attack. With only an Internet connection, a hacker sitting on a beach anywhere in the world could use their UAV to intercept cell phone conversations, steal financial information, or access secret government documents. The prototype was a success and the race is now on to develop the next generation of cyber drones.

From Bletchley to Bond: An Interview with Journalist and Author Sinclair McKay (Part 2)

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Half of the world’s population has seen a James Bond movie. The historical and cultural impact of this franchise’s 23 (and counting) films is unrivaled by anything else in contemporary pop culture. SPY Historian Vince Houghton is joined by British journalist Sinclair McKay, who is the author of the seminal book on Bond’s cultural impact, The Man With the Golden Touch. They discuss Sean, George, Roger, Timothy, Pierce, and Daniel, and the legacy of Ian Fleming’s secret agent who has now saved the world for more than 50 years – and who might continue to save the world for 50 more.

From Bletchley to Bond: An Interview with Journalist and Author Sinclair McKay (Part 1)

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with British author and journalist Sinclair McKay for a two-part SpyCast. In Part 1, Vince and Sinclair discuss the role played by the codebreakers at Bletchley Park in the Allied victory in the Second World War. The author of three books and numerous articles on the topic, McKay provides compelling historical insight into a subject that you only think you really know.

Author Debriefing: The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Moe Berg—the major league baseball player, OSS operative and legendary linguist—was one of the most remarkable secret agents ever deployed by the US. Whether authorized by the government as an atomic spy or choosing to surreptitiously film Tokyo of his own volition, Berg relished and accomplished his espionage missions, yet he died penniless and with little acclaim. Nicholas Dawidoff brought Moe Berg’s achievements to light in his best-selling 1994 book The Catcher Was a Spy. In honor of the Pennant Race, Dawidoff will share his latest thoughts on the only Major League baseball player to have his card on display at CIA headquarters.

Author Debriefing: Good Hunting, An American Spymaster’s Story

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Jack Devine is one of the legendary spymasters of our time. He was in Chile when Allende fell; he ran Charlie Wilson’s war in Afghanistan; he had too much to do with Iran-Contra for his own taste, though he tried to stop it; he caught Pablo Escobar in Colombia; and he tried to warn George Tenet that there was a bullet coming from Iraq with his name on it. His new book, Good Hunting, is Devine’s guide to the art of spycraft and his belief in the CIA’s vital importance as a tool of American statecraft. Although it has been caricatured by Hollywood, lionized by the right, and pilloried by the left, Devine believes the CIA remains one of the least understood instruments of the United States government.

Author Debriefing: Double Agent, The First Hero of World War II and How the FBI Outwitted and Destroyed a Nazi Spy Ring

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Leading up to the US entry into WWII, Germany set up a sophisticated and productive espionage ring, which effectively utilized well-placed German Americans in the States. They were able to infiltrate key military and industrial facilities, and succeeded in obtaining critical information, including plans for the exceptionally accurate and very secret Norden bombsite device. When naturalized American William Sebold visited his native Germany in 1939, German intelligence officers saw him as a prime target for recruitment. Threatened with arrest, Sebold seemingly agreed to work for the Germans, but they woefully misjudged him. Returning to New York, he contacted the FBI and told all. In his new book Double Agent, journalist Peter Duffy uncovers how Sebold became the center of a 16-month investigation that led to the arrest of 33 enemy agents in June 1941. Known as the Duquesne Spy Ring, the colorful cast of traitors included military contractors, a South African adventurer with an exotic accent and a monocle, and even a Jewish femme fatale.

Tinker, Tailor, Shortstop, Spy: An Interview with Former CIA Analyst Bryan Soderholm-Difatte Part 1

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Baseball has been played in the United States since the mid-19th Century, and from the very beginning teams were trying to gain a competitive edge against their rivals. In many cases, this involved stealing signs – the messages passed from coaches to players or from catchers to pitchers. In essence, this is a signals intelligence operation: one team is encrypting its messages, while the other is attempting to intercept these messages, decrypt them, and use the resulting intelligence to their advantage. SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Bryan Soderholm, a former CIA analyst who is now putting his training to use analyzing baseball statistics and history. They discussed the influence of spycraft on the game of baseball – in particular, the infamous case of the 1951 New York Giants, who set the standard for baseball espionage.

Terrorists, Double Agents, and European Domination (Part 1)

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister of CNN to discuss their new book Agent Storm: My Life Inside Al Qaeda and the CIA. The book, which they co-wrote with terrorist-turned-double-agent Morten Storm, traces an improbable journey of conversion, radicalization, reassessment, and redemption. Join Vince, Paul, and Tim as they reflect upon a story that is so incredible it would be completely unbelievable – if it wasn’t completely true. This interview was conducted September 8, 2014

Terrorists, Double Agents, and European Domination (Part 2)

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Join SPY Historian Vince Houghton as he continues his conversation with Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister of CNN. Both men share their expertise on ISIS and the threat of Islamic Jihadism, and Tim, who has traveled to Ukraine on four different occasions this year alone, provides his insight into the current conflict between Ukrainian separatists, the Ukrainian government, and Russia. This interview was conducted September 8, 2014

Author Debriefing: Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold may be the most famous spies of the American Revolution, but they were hardly alone. George Washington’s use of spy networks and wider intelligence efforts were critical to the fight for independence. In Spies, Patriots, and Traitors, former CIA officer Kenneth Daigler closely examines American intelligence activities during the era of the Revolutionary War from 1765 to 1783. Daigler will explain how America’s founders learned and practiced their intelligence role, providing insight from an intelligence professional’s perspective and revealing how many of the principles of the era’s intelligence practice are still relevant today. After the talk, see the Museum’s famous George Washington spy letter. This event took place July 15, 2014.

Election Espionage: An Interview with NBC Chief Political Correspondent Chuck Todd

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd to discuss the growing role of intelligence tradecraft in American election politics.Todd, the host of MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown, explains how political campaigns – on both sides of the aisle – use surveillance, propaganda, disinformation, deception, and covert action to give their candidates a political edge. This interview was recorded on July 29, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2F6lEJU_c

The Birth of British Intelligence Coordination: The Joint Intelligence Committee

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton in joined by Dr. Michael Goodman of King’s College in London. Dr. Goodman is the official historian for the British Joint Intelligence Committee, and in that role he has published the book The Official History of the Joint Intelligence Committee: Volume I: From the Approach of the Second World War to the Suez Crisis. Drs. Houghton and Goodman discuss the early development of British intelligence coordination, which spans two of the most momentous decades of the Twentieth Century, and includes events such as the Spanish Civil War, WWII, the end of the British colonial empire, the Cold War, and the Suez Crisis. This interview took place on June 16, 2014

Author Debriefing: The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize- winning biographer Kai Bird gives the inside story of his compelling portrait of the remarkable life and death of one of the most important operatives in CIA history, Robert Ames. Through Bird’s personal connection to Ames’ family, he gained access to his personal correspondence and range of contacts. Eventually more than forty retired CIA and Mossad officers told Bird their memories of Ames. Those seasoned spies all seemed to feel that they had been waiting for someone to tell the incredible story of Bob Ames, and how he carefully cultivated his ten-year relationship with Ali Hassan Salameh, Yasir Arafat’s intelligence chief. This highly clandestine relationship between the CIA and the PLO planted the seeds for the Oslo peace process. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/the-good-spy-book.html#.Vz3puPkrIdU

Author Debriefing: The Zhivago Affair: The Kremlin, the CIA, and the Battle Over a Forbidden Book

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Travel back to a time when literature had the power to influence the world. Washington Post national security correspondent and former bureau chief in Moscow, Peter Finn tells the dramatic first account of how a forbidden book in the Soviet Union became a secret weapon in the battle between East and West. The CIA secretly printed Doctor Zhivago in Russian and smuggled it into the Soviet Union. It was snapped up on the black market and passed surreptitiously from friend to friend fueling flames of dissent. Finn shares how he and his co-author used their special access to otherwise classified CIA files, to create an irresistible portrait of the charming and passionate Pasternak and a twisty thriller that takes readers back to a fascinating period of the Cold War.

The Beginnings of US Overhead Reconnaissance

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:30:00 -0000

The development of overhead reconnaissance technology is one of the most important – if not the most important – advances in the history of intelligence. Policymakers today use IMINT from spy planes and satellites in their daily assessments of global threats, but did you know that overhead reconnaissance technology predates the advent of powered flight? SPY Historian Vince Houghton is joined by Dr. Jim Green, Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA, to discuss Civil War balloon reconnaissance. Dr. Green, an expert in the field, explains the role of balloons in the greater Union strategy, their impact on the war effort, and the numerous and significant innovations developed by Union “aeronauts” (including the first aircraft carriers!). This interview took place May 30, 2014

Spy in the Sky - The KH-9 Hexagon

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sits down with engineer Phil Pressel to discuss his role in developing the KH-9 Hexagon spy satellite. The Hexagon, which was the last US spy satellite to use film, was declassified in 2011, allowing Pressel to write his book, Meeting the Challenge: The Hexagon KH-9 Reconnaissance Satellite. Houghton and Pressel discuss the formation of the project, the daunting technological hurdles, the impact of the satellite on US national security, and the top secret mission to recover film lost in the deepest waters of the Pacific Ocean.Video of interview available on the Spy Museum youtube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmWlw8Ufo6Q This interview took place May 8th, 2014.

Peter Earnest: My Life in the CIA

Mon, 05 May 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Former SPY Historian Mark Stout sat down with SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest to discuss Peter’s CIA career. After his recruitment and espionage training at the Farm, Peter’s entry into the world of spying came at an important turning point in the Cold War. From his posts overseas in hot spots while living undercover, Peter’s fascinating career culminated in a very public role as the Agency’s spokesperson. Join Peter for this reflection on a life in the shadows. This interview was conducted June 1, 2012.

The Future of Intelligence

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:30:00 -0000

The world sends 3 million emails every second. How do Western intelligence agencies cope with such massive amounts of data? The Spy Museum's Executive Director Peter Earnest sits down to discuss the future of intelligence with historian Richard Aldrich, Professor of International Security at the University of Warwick (UK) and Director of the Institute of Advanced Study. With the prevalence of the internet, social media, integrated communications systems, and surveillance capabilities, everyone is now a de facto member of the intelligence community. Dr. Aldrich discusses Snowden, leakers, whistleblowers, and what he calls “the end of secrecy.” Who – and when – will be the next Snowden? This interview took place April 3, 2014.

Putin’s End Game in Ukraine

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Peter and SPY Historian Vince Houghton are joined by retired KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin. They discuss the current confrontation between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea, Crimea’s strategic place in Russian history, and the potential conflict over Ukraine’s strategic shift toward Europe and away from Russia. They then discuss the role intelligence and special operations forces might play in any future war between Russia and Ukraine. This interview took place March 14, 2014.

America's Great Game: The CIA's Secret Arabists and the Shaping of the Modern Middle East

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:30:00 -0000

Intelligence historian Hugh Wilford reveals the surprising history of the CIA’s pro-Arab operations in the 1940s and 50s by tracing the work of the agency’s three most influential—and colorful—officers in the Middle East: Kermit Roosevelt, Archie Roosevelt, and Miles Copeland. With their deep knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs, the three men were heirs to an American missionary tradition that engaged Arabs and Muslims with respect and empathy. These “Arabists” propped up authoritarian regimes, attempted secretly to sway public opinion in America against support for the new state of Israel, and staged coups that destabilized the nations with which they empathized. They were fascinated by imperial intrigue, and were eager to play a modern rematch of the “Great Game,” the nineteenth century struggle between Britain and Russia for control over central Asia. This event took place January 7, 2014.

Enemies Within: Inside the NYPD's Secret Spying Unit and bin Laden’s Final Plot Against America

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Six months after the 9/11 attacks, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly initiated a straightforward, yet audacious, antiterrorist plan to be implemented in the Big Apple, dispatching a vast network of undercover officers and informants to track suspected terrorists. In Enemies Within, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalists Matt Apuzzo and Adam Goldman for Associated Press reveal the effectiveness of the domestic spying plan. Based on hundreds of previously unpublished New York Police Department internal memos and exclusive interviews with intelligence sources, including 25-year FBI veteran Don Borelli who assisted with the book, they found that many of those strategies aren’t even close to being useful, functional, or successful. As Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Borelli was responsible for top investigations and counterterrorism missions that spanned the globe. Join Apuzzo and Borelli for an unbridled look at the breathtaking race to avert a second devastating terrorist attack on American soil. This event took place September 26, 2013. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/enemy-within-book.html#.Vz3rRfkrIdU

Author Debriefing: Cyber War Will Not Take Place

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Is cyber war really coming? Renowned scholar Thomas Rid of the Department of War Studies at Kings College London argues that the focus on war distracts from the real challenge of cyberspace: non-violent confrontation that may rival or even replace violence in surprising ways. In this provocative talk, the author will trace the most significant hacks and attacks and explore some key questions: What are cyber weapons? How have they changed the meaning of violence? How likely and how dangerous is crowd-sourced subversive activity? Why has there never been a lethal cyber-attack against a country's critical infrastructure? How serious is the threat of cyber-espionage? And who is most vulnerable in the cyber realm? This event took place on September 10, 2013 .http://www.spymuseumstore.org/

Shadow Warrior: William Egan Colby and the CIA

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Historian Randall B. Woods of the University of Arkansas discusses his new biography of one of the most fascinating and controversial figures of the postwar period: William Egan Colby. World War II commando, Cold War spy, CIA station chief in Saigon, and ultimately CIA director under Presidents Nixon and Ford, Colby played a critical role in some of the most pivotal events in twentieth-century history. Despite his strong commitment to global democracy and economic and social justice, he was also drawn to the shadowy world of covert action… This event took place on April 18, 2013.

The Life of a Military Attaché: Moscow, Almaty, and Warsaw in the 1990s (Part 2)

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:30:00 -0000

In this continuation of the discussion with US Army Colonel James Cox, we hear about the day-to-day work of US military attachés: being military diplomats for the Defense Intelligence Agency. Colonel Cox tells SPY Historian Mark Stout what it was like working in Moscow after the failure of the 1991 coup. He also shares his experiences in Almaty, the capital of the newly independent country of Kazakhstan and later in Poland, a once-communist country, as it joined the NATO alliance.

The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:30:00 -0000

When 26 Army nurses and medics boarded a transport plane in November, 1943, they never anticipated the crash landing in Nazi-occupied Albania that would lead to their months-long struggle for survival. The group dodged bullets and battled blinding winter storms as they climbed mountains and fought to survive, aided by courageous villagers who risked death at Nazi hands as well as Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the American OSS. Listen to author Cate Lineberry, a former writer and editor for Smithsonian Magazine, tell this mesmerizing tale of World War II courage and heroism. This event took place August 13, 2013. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/the-secret-rescue-book.html#.Vz3qN_krIdU

The CIA Analyst and the Polish Colonel

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:30:00 -0000

During the 1970s, Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski was a rising star in the Polish General Staff during the Cold War. He was also a spy for the CIA. Colonel Aris Pappas was a rising star in the CIA’s analytic ranks whose specialty was Poland. Pappas sat down with SPY Historian Mark Stout to discuss the Kuklinski case, the important information that Kuklinski passed about the Soviet and Warsaw Pact militaries and the imposition of martial law in Poland, and how he and Kuklinski eventually met and became friends.

The Life of a Military Attaché: Moscow During the Coup (Part 1)

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:30:00 -0000

In the summer of 1991, US Army Colonel James Cox arrived in Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union, to serve as Assistant Army Attaché. Little did he know that Communist hardliners were about to launch a coup. When the coup started, the intelligence agencies in Washington immediately needed up-to-the-minute information on developments, so the attachés went out on the streets to get it. Hear Colonel Cox tell SPY Historian Mark Stout what it was like chasing tanks on the streets of Moscow and witnessing Boris Yeltsin make his stand at the Russian White House.

Espionage in Traditional China

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Sun Tzu’s 2500 year old book The Art of War contains a famous chapter on spies. However, Master Sun was not the only Chinese author to address this topic centuries before Westerners did. In fact, many Chinese authors built on his work. SPY Historian Mark Stout met up with Ralph Sawyer, the translator of the definitive edition of The Art of War and the author of The Tao of Spycraft, to discuss the sophisticated theory and remarkable practice of espionage in traditional China.

The OSS in Burma: Jungle War Against the Japanese

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 07:30:00 -0000

“One could not choose a worse place for fighting the Japanese,” said Winston Churchill of northern Burma, but it was there that the fledgling Office of Strategic Services conducted its most successful combat operations of World War II. Troy Sacquety, an Historian for the US Army’s Special Operations Command, ventures into Burma’s steaming jungles in the first book to fully cover the exploits and contributions of the OSS’s Detachment 101 against the Japanese Imperial Army. In this Author Debriefing, Sacquety describes how Detachment 101 succeeded and created a prototype for today’s Special Forces. This event took place on May 13, 2013. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/oss-burma-book.html#.Vxk39JMrJTY

Deceiving the Iraqis in Operation Desert Storm

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Military deception was an important part of Operation Desert Storm, the 1991 coalition effort to eject the Iraqi Army from Kuwait. The man in charge of that U.S. Marine Corp’s part of that deception was Brigadier General Tom Draude. Despite the fact that he had no previous background in deception, General Draude and his team of clever American planners put together an elegant and effective deception plan. Hear him tell Peter how they exploited the expectations of Iraq's military to put them off guard and out of place. Also learn about the role in that books such as The Man Who Never Was and John Le Carre’s The Little Drummer Girl played in General Draude’s thinking.

A Legal Perspective on the Snowden Case

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Mark Zaid is one of the nation’s top national security lawyers and has defended many alleged whistleblowers and leakers. SPY Historian, Mark Stout, called him in for a consultation on the case of Edward Snowden who has admitted leaking to the press top secret material from the National Security Agency. Hear them discuss Snowden’s present legal position, the options open to a would-be whistleblower, and the actual meanings of treason and asylum.

A Western Spy among Terrorists in Yemen

Sun, 26 May 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Morten Storm was a Danish convert to Islam who became a close associate of Anwar al-Awlaki, the American imam who was a senior member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen. He even ate in Awlaki’s home and helped find him a wife. When Storm repented of his radical ways, he turned to the Danish intelligence service and offered inside access to AQAP. Hear him tell SPY Historian Mark Stout how MI6 and CIA came into the picture and how he helped tracked down Awlaki, who died in a controversial CIA drone attack in September 2011.

Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Can you keep a secret? Maybe you can, but the United States government can’t. Since the birth of our country, nations from Russia and China to Ghana and Ecuador, have stolen some of our country’s most precious secrets. Michael Sulick, former director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, discusses his book, Spying in America, which presents a history of more than thirty espionage cases inside the United States. This event took place on January 15, 2013. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/spying-in-america-book.html#.Vxk4FpMrJTY

The Rice Paddy Navy: U.S. Sailors Undercover in China

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:30:00 -0000

After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the US Navy knew it would need vital information from the Pacific. Captain Milton ‘Mary’ Miles journeyed to China to set up weather stations and monitor the Chinese coastline—and to spy on the Japanese. After a handshake agreement with Chiang Kai-shek's spymaster, General Dai Li, the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) was born. This top-secret network worked hand in hand with the Nationalist Chinese to fight the Japanese invasion of China while erecting crucial weather stations, providing critical information to the US military, intercepting Japanese communications, blowing up enemy supply depots, laying mines, destroying bridges, and training Chinese peasants in guerrilla warfare. Join author Linda Kush as she reveals the story of one of the most successful covert operation efforts of World War II. This event took place on March 5, 2013.

The United States Military Liaison Mission in East Germany

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Major General Michael Ennis was one of the rare Marine officers admitted to the Foreign Area Officer program where he became a specialist on the Soviet Union. This led to an assignment as a translator on the Washington-Moscow Hotline at the White House and then got him a license to spy in communist East Germany in the 1980s as part of the US Military Liaison Mission. Hear him tell SPY Historian Mark Stout what it’s like to penetrate a Soviet command bunker at night or be chased by a Soviet tank, and learn the intelligence value of a hunk of concrete.

American Communism and Soviet Espionage: A Look Back with John Earl Haynes

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:30:00 -0000

In the 1970s, historian John Earl Haynes was researching the American labor movement when he discovered interesting connections to the Communist party. Fast forward 20 years to the 1990s, when that ongoing research on the Communist party led him into the murky world of Soviet espionage. SPY Historian Mark Stout sits down with this groundbreaking historian to look back on his career and learn how he became a leading and unlikely expert on Soviet espionage in the America. Follow along on this fascinating journey from Minnesota, to the halls of power in Washington DC, to dusty archives in Moscow.

Born Under an Assumed Name

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Looking back on her childhood, Sarah Taber remembers that “my identity was problematic because of moving from country to country and the overall atmosphere of growing up in the CIA.” As an adult she wrote about what it was like to be raised in a culture of “secrecy, stoicism and silence” in her book Born Under an Assumed Name: The Memoir of a Cold War Spy’s Daughter. Feel the stresses and learn the secrets of a CIA family in this heart-to-heart talk between Sarah and Peter, himself a CIA father.

Intelligence in Support of UN Peacekeeping in Bosnia during the 1990s

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:30:00 -0000

The United Nations thinks “intelligence” is a dirty word but it still needs intelligence to conduct peacekeeping operations. The result is a euphemism: “military information.” SPY Historian Mark Stout talks with Tom Quiggin, a former Canadian intelligence officer who worked alongside Americans, Swedes, Jordanians, Russians, and others in the Military Information Office supporting UN peacekeeping operations in Bosnia during the 1990s. Hear what it’s like to pass through a checkpoint manned by drunken teenage soldiers or to know that your warnings of an upcoming massacre in Srebrenica are being ignored.

From Nazi Germany to the OSS to the CIA (Part 2)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:30:00 -0000

In this Spycast Peter finishes his conversation with Peter Sichel. Listen to this insider talking about CIA operations in Germany after World War II, the futile support for anti-communist guerrillas in Ukraine and China during the 1940s and 1950s, the strains of leading an undercover life and his friendship with legendary CIA counterintelligence chief James Jesus Angleton.

Canada’s Security Intelligence Service in the Post-Cold War World

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:30:00 -0000

Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) operates on a very different model from the American CIA, being neither strictly a foreign intelligence agency nor a domestic intelligence agency. Today SPY Historian Mark Stout discusses CSIS with Ray Boisvert, who was one of the founding members of the Service in 1984 and rose to become its Assistant Director, Intelligence, a position from which he retired in 2012. Hear them talk about the concept of “security intelligence” in a democratic society and explore the dilemmas which the Service faces in an era of terrorism emanating from groups such as al Qaeda and foreign covert influence from nation states.

The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America's Entry into World War I

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:30:00 -0000

In January 1917, British naval intelligence intercepted what became the most important telegram in all of American history. It was a daring proposition from Germany's foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, offering German support to Mexico for regaining Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in exchange for a Mexican attack on America. Five weeks later, America entered World War I. Former SPY Historian Dr. Thomas Boghardt who is now at the US Army’s Center of Military History talks about his new account of the Zimmerman Telegram. This event took place on, November 27, 2012. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/zimmermann-telegram-book.html#.Vxk4aZMrJTY

From Nazi Germany to the OSS to the CIA (Part 1)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Today Peter begins a conversation with the remarkable Peter Sichel, OSS veteran, senior CIA official of the 1950s, and onetime head of Blue Nun wines. After fleeing Nazi Germany with his family in the 1930s and eventually finding himself in the United States, Sichel joined the OSS and in 1944 he went back to Europe where he recruited German prisoners of war to spy for the US 7th Army. Hear him talk about his operations in Europe and his friendship with future Director of the CIA, Richard Helms.

The Evolution of Spy Fiction: Bond and His Brethren

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:30:00 -0000

The modern spy novel was born in early twentieth century Britain with writers such as Erskine Childers and William LeQueux whose one-dimensional heroes were English gentlemen holding back the barbarians. How did we get from there to the gray and morally ambiguous world of John Le Carré? And how does all this relate to James Bond and even George Orwell’s 1984? Listen to SPY Historian Mark Stout discuss the development and importance of spy fiction with intelligence historian Wesley Wark.

Author Debriefing: The Twilight War: The Secret History of America’s Thirty-Year Conflict with Iran

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:30:00 -0000

The United States and Iran have been at daggers drawn for more than thirty years. While this rivalry has never erupted into open war, it has been an enduring “twilight war” in which spies and terrorists often play the lead role. US Government historian David Crist will discuss his groundbreaking book which pulls back the curtain on many of the deepest secrets of this lethal struggle. Among other fascinating revelations, hear about the massive spy network that the CIA developed in Iran with German help in the 1980s, how these spies communicated with their handlers using invisible ink, and how their discovery led to the deaths of more than two dozen people. This event took place on 1 August 2012.

Author Debrief: Castro's Secrets: The CIA and Cuba's Intelligence Machine

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:30:00 -0000

In Castro’s Secrets, Brian Latell, former National Intelligence Officer for Latin America and long-time Cuba analyst, offers a strikingly original image of Fidel Castro as Cuba's supreme spymaster. Latell exposes many long-buried secrets of Castro's lengthy reign, including the extent of Cuba’s double agent operations against the United States. In writing this book, Latell spoke with many high-level defectors from Cuba’s powerful intelligence and security services; some had never told their stories on the record before. He also probed dispassionately into the CIA's plots against Cuba, including previously obscure schemes to assassinate Castro and presents dramatic new conclusions about what Castro actually knew of Lee Harvey Oswald prior to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This event took place on October 10 2012.

Author Debriefing: The Art of Intelligence: Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:30:00 -0000

In the days after 9/11, the CIA directed Henry Crumpton to organize and lead its covert action campaign in Afghanistan. In less than 90 days Al Qaeda and the Taliban were routed. The Art of Intelligence draws from the full arc of Crumpton’s espionage and covert action exploits to explain what America’s spies do and why their service is more valuable than ever. This event took place 12 June 2012.

The Red Cell: Fact and Fiction

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:30:00 -0000

The surprise of September 11 2001 was, in part, a failure of imagination and CIA Director George Tenet did not want that to happen again. On September 13 he created the Red Cell and staffed it with “people who were willing to take their analysis to a whole new zip code.” CIA analyst Mark Henshaw’s first novel, Red Cell, is about the adventures of two analysts assigned to that team during a military crisis with China. The story is fiction, but it draws on Henshaw’s three years in the Red Cell. Join him and SPY Historian Mark Stout as they discuss what goes on in Room 2G31 at CIA Headquarters.

Agent Garbo: How a Brilliant & Eccentric Double Agent Tricked the Nazis & Saved D-Day

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 3)

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Peter concludes his conversation with longtime CIA officer George Cave with a brief discussion of some of the funny and unusual events that took place in the course of his career in the Clandestine Service.

Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:30:00 -0000

The history of Israel’s intelligence community—led by the feared and famous Mossad—includes stunning successes and embarrassing failures with important implications for war and peace today. CBS journalist Dan Raviv co-author with Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, of Spies Against Armageddon, traces this history from the country’s independence in 1948 right up to the crises of today.

Spies and Commissars: The Early Years of the Russian Revolution

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Russia was a chaotic hotspot after the Revolution of 1917 and an extraordinary collection of spies, adventurers, and opportunists poured into the roiling Russian political scene. Outsized characters like Sidney “Ace of Spies” Reilly, communist activist John Reed, and author/spy Somerset Maugham all played their parts…under the watchful eye of Feliks Dzerzhinsky, the head of the ruthless Cheka, the first of the Soviet state security organizations. Listen to renown British historian Robert Service discuss his thrilling new book about this turning point of twentieth century history.

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 2)

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Peter continues his discussion with career CIA officer George Cave. They cover Cave’s time in Saudi Arabia—from which he was expelled when a candid cable he wrote about Saudi politics leaked to the press—and back in Washington where he became embroiled in the Iran-Contra Affair. Hear his account of a clandestine trip with Robert McFarlane and Oliver North for talks with Ayatollah Khomeini’s government and other inside details of this scandal.

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 1)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:30:00 -0000

George Cave is a legend in the CIA’s Clandestine Service. He was recruited into the CIA in 1956 as a fluent Farsi speaker and was pulled out of his entry training and sent to Afghanistan to deal with an urgent operation there. He never looked back. Join Peter and George as they relive the assassination attempts in Iran against the US Ambassador and George himself in the early 1970s and discuss CIA’s operations in the Middle East over three decades.

Dick Holm: the Perils and Rewards of a Life in the CIA, Part 2

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Peter continues his discussion with legendary case officer Dick Holm, the author of The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA. Holm discusses several highlights and low points of his career. Learn about his work with Belgian intelligence in thwarting a Belgian Air Force officer who was spying for Russia and his role in the embarrassing “spy flap” when he was the CIA chief in Paris. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/craft-we-chose-life-in-cia-book.html#.Vz3rhPkrIdU

Author Debriefing: Alger Hiss - Why He Chose Treason

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:30:00 -0000

In 1948, when Whittaker Chambers accused Ivy League-educated senior diplomat Alger Hiss of spying for the Soviets, few Americans were willing to believe him. In fact, Hiss went to his grave protesting his innocence, but now it seems clear that he was guilty, given the evidence available since the end of the Cold War. Retired counterintelligence officer Christina Shelton has written a new biography of Hiss. She highlights the many missed opportunities and poor judgments in the Hiss case, and discusses them in the context of wide-scale Soviet infiltration and espionage. Join Shelton and SPY historian Mark Stout for a discussion of this provocative new book about one of America’s most controversial icons. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/zimmermann-telegram-book.html#.Vxk4aZMrJTY

The Hunt for KSM: Inside the Pursuit and Takedown of the Real 9/11 Mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Josh Meyer, co-author with Terry McDermott of The Hunt for KSM, visits the International Spy Museum to talk about the decade-long FBI and CIA effort to capture Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Meyer discusses the repeated failed attempts to find the evil genius who had plotted to kill the Pope and President Clinton and explode a dozen planes over the Pacific Ocean, all before masterminding the 9/11 attacks. Finally, hear how the US finally grabbed KSM as a result of the interrogation of another terrorist, Abu Zubaydah.

Dick Holm: the Perils and Rewards of a Life in the CIA, Part 1

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Today Peter starts a conversation with Dick Holm, a legendary CIA operations officer, who has served all over the world. Dick, the author of The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA, talks about the importance of intelligence and reveals the terrible price that he paid for serving his country as a young officer in the Congo in the 1960s. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/craft-we-chose-life-in-cia-book.html#.Vz3rhPkrIdU

Leak: Why Mark Felt became Deep Throat

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:30:00 -0000

Author Debriefing: Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn-Guerrilla Leader and Special Forces Hero

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:30:00 -0000

During the Vietnam War, perhaps the US Army’s most secretive unit was the Studies and Observations Group (SOG). This unit conducted reconnaissance missions, captured enemy prisoners for interrogation and rescued American POWs. It also ran teams of clandestine agents, and conducted psychological operations. The leader of this group in the mid-1960s was a legendary Army officer, Donald Blackburn. Listen to author Mike Guardia describe Blackburn’s colorful life in this event which took place on 16 February 2012.

Eavesdropping in Vietnam: One Man’s Experience

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:30:00 -0000

SPY Historian Mark Stout explores the importance of signals intelligence (SIGINT) to the Vietnam War with retired National Security Agency cryptanalyst Tom Glenn. Glenn served more time in country than any other civilian of the NSA. Hear about the sixth sense that good SIGINTers need to have, the difficulties of working in foreign languages, and how Glenn and his colleagues were able to predict every major Communist offensive. Learn also why American commanders did not always believe them. Finally, hear the wrenching story of Glenn’s last days in Saigon in 1975 as the city was falling to the North Vietnamese Army.

The Power of Open Source Intelligence

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:00:00 -0000

With the ever increasing global connectivity, more and more information is available merely for the asking. This has led to a flourishing of the discipline of open source intelligence collection. SPY Historian Mark Stout has a probing discussion with one of the world’s leading practitioners of this art: Arno Reuser of the Dutch military intelligence service. With the growth of open source, can we stop stealing secrets?

Author Debriefing: Smersh: Stalin's Secret Weapon: Soviet Military Counterintelligence in WWII

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:00:00 -0000

In the early James Bond novels, the hero battled the villainous forces of Smersh, a shadowy Soviet intelligence organization. Bond was fictional, but Smersh really existed. Drawing its name from smert shpionam Russian for “death to spies,” it was Stalin’s wartime terror apparatus and it cut a bloody swath of death across Eastern Europe. Its job was to “filter” the Red Army for spies and it was responsible for the arrest, torture, and execution of many thousands of innocent people. Listen to historian Vadim J. Birstein as he discusses this bloodthirsty organization and discusses the evidence suggesting that Raoul Wallenberg was one of its victims. This event took place on 12 January 2012.

Investigating Historical Spies

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0000

Researching spy history is a difficult business. Spies carefully cover their tracks and intelligence agencies classify everything and release their records only after many years, if at all. Given these difficulties how do historians reconstruct espionage history? SPY Historian Mark Stout explores this issue with Dr. R. Bruce Craig, the author of Treasonable Doubt: The Harry Dexter White Spy Case. Hear Craig describe how a receipt for $1.25 allowed him to discover the real identity of the mysterious “Agent Zero” who spied for the Soviets before World War II. Also listen as Craig tells of his forthcoming book about Alger Hiss and how he has brought lawsuits that forced the government to open up sealed grand jury records for Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

The Intelligence War Against Terrorism

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0000

Since 9/11, the United States Intelligence Community has expanded into an $80 billion behemoth and taken on many new tasks, for instance spying on terrorists in cyberspace and even becoming a combat organization in its own right. Are we getting value for our money? To what extent did the invasion of Iraq divert important intelligence resources from Afghanistan? And why is the FBI flying reconnaissance flights over northwest D.C.? Intelligence historian, Matthew Aid, the author of the new book Intel Wars: The Secret History of the Fight Against Terror, grapples with these and other questions in a discussion with SPY Historian Mark Stout.

Intelligence and Espionage in the U.S. Civil War

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0000

Spies, cavalry, and telescopes were the traditional intelligence tools available during the Civil War, but there was also cutting edge high tech: the telegraph and the observation balloon. How did Civil War generals combine these to help make strategic decisions? As we observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, SPY Historian Mark Stout discusses this question with Professor William Feis of Buena Vista University, the author of Grant’s Secret Service: The Intelligence War from Belmont to Appomattox.

Author Debriefing: MH/CHAOS: The CIA’s Campaign against the Radical New Left and the Black Panthers

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0000

Operation MHCHAOS was the code name for a secret domestic spying program conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency in the late 1960s and early 1970s charged with unmasking any foreign influences on left wing protestors. CIA counterintelligence officer Frank Rafalko was a part of that operation. When The New York Times revealed MHCHAOS in 1974 and Congress investigated, MHCHAOS took its place in the pantheon of intelligence abuses. However, in his new book Rafalko says that the operation was justified and that the CIA was the logical agency to conduct it. Listen as he defends his perspective with dramatic intelligence collected on the New Left and black radicals. This event took place on 26 October 2011.

The Silent Listener: British Eavesdropping in the Falklands War

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0000

D. J. Thorp, a signals intelligence officer in the British Army, spent many years eavesdropping on the hot spots of the Cold War in Europe and the Middle East. In 1982 he found himself on board a Royal Navy ship intercepting signals from the Argentinean military as it fought the British in the Falklands War. Listen in as Major Thorp describes to SPY Historian Mark Stout how signals intelligence influenced the course of that war, how his team uncovered an Argentinean plan for a counterattack that could have turned the tide of the war, and even how a signals intercept led British naval personnel to shave off their beards!

J. Edgar Hoover: Fact vs. Fiction

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:00:00 -0000

Clint Eastwood’s movie, J. Edgar, gives a Hollywood take on the controversial Director of the FBI. However, many people have criticized the movie for whitewashing Hoover’s abuses while others have criticized it for its implication that Hoover may have been gay. Peter addresses these issues in discussion with Ray Batvinis, a former FBI special agent, a former Executive Director of the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation, and the author of the book, The Origins of FBI Counterintelligence.

Uncompromised: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of an Arab American Patriot in the CIA

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:00:00 -0000

After a childhood in war-torn Lebanon with an abusive father, Nada Prouty jumped at the chance to forge her own path in America, a path that led to undercover work in the FBI, then the CIA. Her work earned her great respect from her colleagues but her promising career came to an end when federal investigators charged Prouty with passing intelligence to Hezbollah. Lacking sufficient evidence to make their case in court, prosecutors went to the media, suggesting that she had committed treason. Though the CIA and a federal judge eventually exonerated Prouty, she was dismissed from the Agency and stripped of her citizenship. In Uncompromised, Prouty tells her story in a bid to restore her name and reputation. This event took place on 15 November 2011.

Identity, Espionage, and Social Media

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:00:00 -0000

Who are your friends on Facebook? Are you sure? Thomas Ryan, co-founder of Provide Security, knows that you can’t always be certain. Why? Because he created the fictional Robin Sage, a cyber femme fatale, who quickly wormed her way into the confidence of national security professionals who should have known better. He conceived the experiment to expose weaknesses in the nation's defense and intelligence communities, but even he was surprised by its success. Robin Sage is just one of the fascinating and disturbing tricks of the online espionage trade that Ryan shared with SPY Historian Mark Stout. You may never friend anyone again…

Interrogating a High Value Detainee: A Morality Tale

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:00:00 -0000

What would you do if you were told to do whatever was necessary to get a prisoner to talk? This is the situation that career CIA officer Glenn Carle found himself in when he was made the lead interrogator for a detainee who was said to be a member of Al Qaeda’s top echelon. Carle, the author of the recently published book, The Interrogator: An Education, tells Peter what it was like to be in this position. And, he describes how he got on the wrong side of CIA Headquarters (HQ) when he objected to the treatment of the detainee, who he came to believe was not who CIA HQ said he was. Listen in on a discussion that raises profound questions about American values and the struggle against terrorism.

In the Counterterrorism Center on 9/11: One Analyst’s Story

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:00 -0000

The war with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda did not begin on September 11th. CIA analyst Cindy Storer was there from the beginning in the early 1990s, a member of a small band of mostly female analysts who worked on Al Qaeda long before September 11. They faced a frustrating uphill battle convincing others about this new threat and were subjected to ridicule for their supposedly excessive passion right up until September 11th. Hear Cindy discuss with SPY Historian Mark Stout what it was like to be in the building on that day and the amazing combination of emotion, professionalism, and commitment that characterized the following days.

The Triple Agent: The al-Qaeda Mole Who Infiltrated the CIA

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:00 -0000

In 2009, the CIA’s partners in the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate had a source named Humam Khalil al-Balawi working inside Al Qaeda and he knew where Ayman al-Zawahiri, the number two man in al Qaeda was…or so they thought. In fact, Al Qaeda was running a deception. In December 2009 al-Balawi came to a CIA base in Khost, Afghanistan and detonated bomb strapped to his chest, killing seven CIA officers and one Jordanian intelligence officer. It was the CIA’s greatest loss of life in decades. Join Pulitzer Prize winning author Joby Warrick for this gripping true story of miscalculation, deception, and revenge, and learn how Al Qaeda fooled the world’s greatest intelligence service. This event took place on 20 July 2011.

The Aftermath of Bin Laden’s Death: The Lessons of Strategic Manhunting

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:00:00 -0000

The 13-year search for Osama Bin Laden may have seemed unprecedented, but actually such events have not been uncommon in American history. Since the days of Geronimo, the United States has embarked on at least eleven such “strategic manhunts.” Benjamin Runkle, the author of the new book Wanted Dead or Alive: Manhunts from Geronimo to Bin Laden, sits down with SPY Historian Mark Stout to discuss what we can learn from the history of these manhunts. Find out what kind of intelligence it takes to track down an evasive enemy leader and learn what the strategic pay-off can be from a successful manhunt. Part three of a series.

Mastermind: The Many Faces of the 9/11 Architect, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 -0000

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was behind many of the most heinous terrorist plots of the past twenty years, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Millenium Plots, and 9/11 itself. He even claims to have personally beheaded Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Investigative journalist Richard Miniter brings to life the remarkable story of “KSM,” including his time living in the United States. Based on interviews with government officials, generals, diplomats and spies from around the world, Miniter reveals never before reported Al Qaeda plots and remarkable new details about the 9/11 attacks. He also lets us into the ultimately successful clandestine operations of American and Pakistani intelligence officers to capture this notorious killer. This event took place on May 19, 2011.

Author Debriefing: "Wild Bill" Donovan

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:00:00 -0000

“Wild Bill” Donovan was a World War I hero with a Medal of Honor to prove it, a millionaire Wall Street lawyer, and a prominent Republican. Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt chose this brilliant yet disorganized visionary to be his spymaster, head of the World War II Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Veteran journalist Douglas Waller has written a compelling biography of William Donovan. He describes Donovan’s reckless nature: how he needlessly risked his life on foreign battlefields and engaged in extramarital affairs that emboldened his enemies in Washington. Waller also recounts the OSS’s daring operations overseas and the vicious political battles that Donovan had to fight with Winston Churchill, J. Edgar Hoover, and the Pentagon. Donovan’s plans to continue the OSS after the war were defeated, yet the CIA rose like a phoenix from the OSS’ ashes. This event took place February 17, 2011. Get the book: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/wild-bill-donovan-book.html#.Vxk4yJMrJTY

Modern Intelligence Analysis: From Art to Science?

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:00:00 -0000

A great deal of public attention goes to the CIA’s case officers who recruit and run agents and steal secrets. However, few people pay attention to the fact that those secrets are stolen so that they can be put on desks of intelligence analysts. Analysts, then, must put together information from both secret sources and open sources to produce insightful assessments to inform the nation’s leaders. Randy Pherson, a former senior official at the CIA and the President of Pherson Associates, teaches advanced analytic techniques to the US Intelligence Community. Join him as he discusses with SPY Historian Mark Stout his efforts to move the vital field of intelligence analysis toward greater rigor.

The Aftermath of Bin Laden’s Death: Inside al Qaeda’s Hard Drive

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:30:00 -0000

After killing Osama bin Laden, the SEALs reportedly took hundreds of drives, disks, and computers from the house in Abbottabad, Pakistan. What challenges will American intelligence agencies face in exploiting bin Laden’s computers and what can be learned from the computer of a terrorist mastermind? SPY Historian Mark Stout discusses the complexities of digital dumpster diving with Wall Street Journal reporter Alan Cullison, who in 2001 purchased and exploited a computer used by Ayman al-Zawahiri, now the heir apparent to lead al Qaeda. Part two of a series.

The Aftermath of bin Laden’s Death: Winning the War While Staying in the Right

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:00:00 -0000

What are the implications of Osama bin Laden’s death for the al Qaeda movement? What role did waterboarding and “enhanced interrogation techniques” play in tracking down Bin Laden and should we reassess our views of torture? Peter explores these provocative questions with naval intelligence veteran and counterterrorism expert Malcolm Nance, the author of An End to al Qaeda: Destroying bin Laden’s Jihad and Restoring America’s Honor. As a SERE instructor, Nance has been waterboarded and has conducted waterboardings. He has even given expert testimony on the issue before Congress. Part one of a series.

Spy versus Spy in East Germany

Mon, 09 May 2011 22:00:00 -0000

The East German security service, the Stasi, was infamous for surveilling and oppressing the East German population. However, it also hunted Western spies and there were many to be found; the CIA, the West German BND, and Britain’s MI-6 were all very active. In fact, from 1955 to 1989 the Stasi uncovered more than 1300 foreign spies operating in East Germany. Join SPY Historian Mark Stout as he discusses Stasi counterespionage with Professor Paul Maddrell who has been working in the Stasi archives. Learn about Western espionage in East Germany and find out the grim fate of the spies who were uncovered.

Stalking Terrorists Online

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:00:00 -0000

Montana resident Shannen Rossmiller is proof that things are not as they seem online. Before September 11, she was a judge, a wife, and a mother but not an expert on terrorism or an Arabic speaker. After September 11, she taught herself Arabic and started to explore the world of online jihadism, pretending to be a male terrorist. She soon found that real jihadists were willing to share their secrets with her. She turned these secrets over to the FBI and as a result some of her online acquaintances are now in jail. Listen in as Peter, who used to steal secrets in the real world, compares notes with Shannen who used to steal secrets in the virtual world.

Dropping Spies from the Sky during the Korean War

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:00:00 -0000

During the Korean War, US military intelligence worked with anti-communist Korean agents and partisans to collect information from behind North Korean lines. SPY Historian Mark Stout interviews Colonel Douglas Dillard, USA (Ret.) who led AVIARY operations, the airborne insertion of the agents and partisans, and Mr. James M. H. Lee, a native of North Korea, who worked at his side as an interpreter. Learn what it was like flying at night over North Korea in a blacked out plane and hear about the courage of the Korean volunteers who parachuted into the dark, many of them never to return.

Social Media: Tools of Liberation or Repression?

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:00:00 -0000

Social media—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others—are held up as powerful tools for peoples trying to overthrow police states. Iran’s “Twitter Revolution” electrified the world and the Egyptian government shut off Internet access as demonstrations swept that country. However, Evgeny Morozov of Stanford University, one of the leading thinkers about the political impact of new media, explains to SPY Historian, Mark Stout that they are less powerful than we normally think; worse, “the KGB wants you to join Facebook.”Social media—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others—are held up as powerful tools for peoples trying to overthrow police states. Iran’s “Twitter Revolution” electrified the world and the Egyptian government shut off Internet access as demonstrations swept that country. However, Evgeny Morozov of Stanford University, one of the leading thinkers about the political impact of new media, explains to SPY Historian, Mark Stout that they are less powerful than we normally think; worse, “the KGB wants you to join Facebook.”

Intelligence and Analysis in the National Football League

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:00:00 -0000

In 2007, the New England Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jet’s sideline defensive signals. That was illegal, but it’s remarkable what is allowed, even routine. From surveillance films, to secure communications, to briefing books, and deception operations, the intelligence activity conducted for the gridiron warriors is as intense as that conducted for the US military. T. J. Waters joins Peter Earnest and Dan Treado of the International Spy Museum to discuss his new ebook, Prior to the Snap: How the NFL’s Hyperperformance Strategy Safeguards the World’s Most Successful Team Sport. You’ll never look at football the same way again.

Spying on the Soviet Army in East Germany

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:00:00 -0000

During the Cold War, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France each had a “military liaison mission” authorized to roam East Germany. While the fiction was that they existed to coordinate military affairs with the Soviets in Germany, the reality was that they collected intelligence on the Soviet military. Join Spy Museum Historian Mark Stout as he talks with Brigadier General Roland Lajoie, a former chief of the US Military Liaison Mission, about the accomplishments, adventures, and tragedies of these little known spies in uniform.

A Young Woman on the Front Lines of the Cold War

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:00:00 -0000

Shirley Perry was recruited to join the CIA in 1951, a time when applications were handed out “under the counter” at the university job office, and when the CIA lived in rodent-infested temporary buildings on the National Mall. What was it like to be a young woman in the Agency at that time, and to be sent to Vienna—the front line of the Cold War—to support intelligence operations? Shirley Perry, former CIA case officer, reminisces with Peter about those early days and talks about her new memoir, After Many Years.

David Kahn on Codebreaking from Ancient Times to the Internet Era

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:00:00 -0000

David Kahn is the author of the classic book The Codebreakers. When it was first published in 1967, the National Security Agency was concerned that the book might reveal sensitive secrets. Over the years, however, NSA changed from perceiving Kahn as “an enemy of the people” to depending on him as a popularizer of codebreaking. Join Peter and David Kahn as they discuss Kahn’s career, some of the greatest triumphs of American signals intelligence history, and the challenges facing today’s codebreakers.

The Real History of MI6

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:00:00 -0000

Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6, is James Bond’s home agency and one of the world’s most secretive organizations. The British government did not even admit that it existed until the 1990s. Yet, in connection with its centennial year, the service has commissioned an outside scholar to write an official history of its first forty years. Peter chats with Professor Keith Jeffery, the only outsider who has ever seen the MI6 archives and given their penchant for secrecy perhaps the only one who ever will in our lifetimes. Drawing on his new book, The Secret History of MI6, 1909-1949, Professor Jeffery shares “how it actually was and how it’s actually done.

Escape from Tehran, 1979: Part II

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0000

American diplomats Mark and Cora Lijek were hiding at the home of a Canadian diplomat as the Iranian Revolution swirled around them. Peter continues his discussion with the Lijeks and also welcomes Tony Mendez, the CIA officer who led the daring operation to bring them home. Hear how they escaped the country posing as Hollywood filmmakers and the joy they felt as they finally left Iranian airspace.

Escape from Tehran, 1979: Part I

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 -0000

When Iranian militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, Mark and Cora Lijek and four other American diplomats slipped out a side exit and found themselves on the run in a hostile country. Before long, Canadian diplomats gave them shelter but now they had to avoid discovery while Washington hatched an audacious plan to rescue them. The Lijeks discuss with Peter their ordeal and how they prepared to escape.

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Peering Over the Iron Curtain: Overhead Photography and the Cold War

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:00:00 -0000

Today Peter converses with Dino Brugioni, a pioneer of the art of photo interpretation and a living legend of the US Intelligence Community. Dino shares his personal experiences briefing Presidents and describes the role that he and overhead photography played in such seminal Cold War events as the “missile gap” and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Dino Brugioni has looked inside the most secret places on earth…from above..

A Spy in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:15:00 -0000

A young student in the US when the Iranian Revolution happened in 1979, Reza Kahlili rejoiced and hurried back to his native country, but he soon found that "every promise that Khomeini had made was vividly a lie." In the early 1980s, he made contact with the CIA, agreeing to risk his life and his family's wellbeing as a spy within Iran. He discusses with Peter how he burrowed inside the regime's elite Revolutionary Guard to report what he found, balancing his constant fear against his Persian patriotism.

An Army of Illegals: Assessing the Russian Spy Case

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:30:00 -0000

Two weeks ago on 27 June, the FBI arrested a network of 10 Russian "deep cover" spies. Peter sits down with former KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin to discuss this remarkable case and the historic spy swap which took place last Friday. Kalugin, who once ran agents in the United States, is forthright in expressing his views about what this case says about the state of Russian intelligence today.

Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Mosab Hassan Yousef was the nearest thing to royalty in the terrorist group Hamas: the son of one of its founding members. He was also a spy for Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, which dubbed him the "Green Prince." Today Mosab and his Shin Bet handler sit down with Peter to discuss their dangerous game and his book Son of Hamas.

Caught by the KGB

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Martha Peterson, a 32 year CIA veteran, was the first female case officer assigned to Moscow. Today she talks with Peter about her sudden capture by the Soviet KGB while executing a covert operation in Moscow.

Military Intelligence from the Cold War to Cyber War

Fri, 07 May 2010 05:01:00 -0000

In 1973 Captain Gail Harris became the first woman to hold a combat intelligence job in the U.S. Navy. Her 28 year career included hands-on leadership in the intelligence community during every major conflict from the Cold War to Desert Storm to Kosovo. Today, she discusses with Peter her unique experience providing intelligence support to military operations and the challenges of developing policies for defense against cyber warfare.

Evolution of Government Surveillance Programs

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Shane Harris is a staff correspondent for National Journal and the former technology editor of Government Executive magazine. In his new book, The Watchers, he chronicles the government’s efforts to create a computer system capable of analyzing data and identifying terrorist activity. Harris contends that while pinpointing threats remains difficult, the governments can now spy on U.S. citizens with ease. He joins Peter today to discuss the evolution of surveillance, America’s changing views on privacy, and the human element behind computerized data collecting.

Tales from the OSS, part II

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Elizabeth Macintosh continues to offer her insights into OSS. This time, she talks about the many fascinating and colorful people she met at OSS, including Director William “Wild Bill” Donovan and Virginia Hall.

Cyber Security and Covert Action

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Dr. Herbert Lin is chief scientist at the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, National Research Council of the National Academies. An expert on cyber security, Herb discusses various aspects of cyber attacks, including ways in which cyber weapons can be used for covert action. To view his co-edited report on this subject, visit: http://www.anagram.com/berson/nrcoiw.pdf

Intelligence in a War Zone (Melissa Mahle)

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Melissa Mahle served from 1988-2002 at the CIA, much of the time as a case officer dealing with terrorist issues in the Middle East, running agents and gathering intelligence. Today, she discusses with Peter her perspective on the recent suicide bombing of a CIA base in Afghanistan, the perils of collecting intelligence in a war zone, as well as the terrorist challenge.

The Terrorist Challenge

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0000

The U.S. authorities' failure to prevent a Nigerian suicide bomber from boarding a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day, and the suicide bombing at a CIA base in Afghanistan have roiled the intelligence community. International Spy Museum historian Dr. Thomas Boghardt discusses with SpyCast host and CIA veteran Peter Earnest how these incidents unfolded and their implications for intelligence reform.

Tales from the OSS, Part I

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0000

Elizabeth Macintosh served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Today, she discusses her personal experience working for OSS, the role of women in it, as well as some of the agency’s most exciting operations.

The MI5 Centenary

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:01:00 -0000

This year, Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, celebrates its 100th anniversary. Cambridge University professor Christopher Andrew, the author of MI5’s official history, Defend the Realm, reveals the agency’s strengths and weaknesses, and relates some of the most intriguing stories involving Britain’s spy catchers.

Cyber Threats: Challenges and Solutions

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Melissa Hathaway served as acting senior director for cyberspace for the National Security Council, heading a 60-Day Cyberspace Policy Review for President Obama that resulted in a comprehensive report with recommendations for action. Today, she discusses the massive and growing challenges of cyberspace—such as identity theft, cyber espionage, and cyber wars—and what needs to be done to deal with this threat.

The Changing Face of Al Qaeda

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:01:00 -0000

How has the sustained U.S. effort to destroy Al Qaeda affected the terrorist organization, and how important is the current struggle against the Taliban in Afghanistan for the future of Al Qaeda? A former Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism, Juan C. Zarate discusses America’s struggle with Al Qaeda and comments on the organization’s current state.

Intelligence and 9/11 with Amy Zegart

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Could intelligence have prevented the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and has the Intelligence Community been sufficiently reformed to deal with current and future threats? These are the questions that Amy Zegart discusses on the eighth anniversary of 9/11. An intelligence scholar, Amy has worked on President Clinton’s National Security Council and is currently teaching intelligence and national security at UCLA.

Sexpionage

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Since biblical times, spies and intelligence services have used sexual entrapment and emotional blackmail to recruit agents and gather secret information. International Spy Museum advisory board member and espionage author H. Keith Melton discusses the means, methods, and effectiveness of “sexpionage,” and elaborates on specific examples, such as the Russian honeytrap and the East German Romeo agent.

The Cambridge Five

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:01:00 -0000

In the 1930s, five young Cambridge University students were recruited by Soviet intelligence to penetrate the British intelligence community. In the course of their decade-long espionage career, the Five did enormous damage to Western security. British intelligence author Nigel West examines their motivations and activities, and reveals new evidence he has unearthed in Soviet intelligence archives.

Cold War Radio

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Richard H. Cummings served for fifteen years as Director of Security for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). He reviews the propaganda activities of RFE/RL during the Cold War and describes Soviet bloc operations against the stations, including the 1978 murder of RFE scriptwriter Georgi Markov in London, and the 1981 bombing of RFE/RL headquarters in Munich by the terrorist Carlos the Jackal.

Intelligence on Pakistan

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:01:00 -0000

"Pakistan is the most dangerous country in the world today," asserts Bruce Riedel, a 30-year CIA veteran and currently a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. Bruce discusses the various threats emanating from Pakistan, including the rise of the Taliban, the security of the country’s nuclear weapons, the murky role of its Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), and the precarious relationship with neighboring India.

Intelligence in Cyberspace

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Cyber threats, information warfare, and internet espionage are growing challenges for business companies, private individuals, and the intelligence community alike. A former CIA operations officer and current president of the cyber intelligence company Cyveillance, Dr. Terry Gudaitis discusses specific examples of cyber threats as well as techniques to counter them.

Inside the National Security Agency

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:01:00 -0000

The National Security Agency (NSA), America’s premier cryptanalytic organization, is the largest and most secretive member of the American intelligence community. Discussing NSA’s mission, capabilities, and past exploits, former NSA Chief of Information Policy Mike Levin reveals some of the mysterious agency’s secrets.

U.S. Military Intelligence—Past and Present

Fri, 01 May 2009 05:01:00 -0000

A West Point graduate, Brian G. Shellum was U.S. Army attaché in Germany, served in the armed forces during the first Gulf War, and worked for over a decade as historian for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Today, Brian discusses the history and purpose of American military intelligence, describing the DIA and the role of the military attachés posted abroad.

U.S. Naval Intelligence in World War II

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Rear-Admiral Donald Mac Showers joined the U.S. Navy’s codebreakers at Pearl Harbor in 1942 and went on to serve three decades in the American intelligence community. Today, he talks about the contribution of codebreaking to the defeat of Japanese naval forces at Midway in 1942, and he reveals how cryptanalysts helped U.S. forces locate and kill Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the mastermind of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Intelligence and Conspiracy Theories II

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:01:00 -0000

During the Cold War, Soviet intelligence used disinformation to malign the United States, for example, by spreading the rumor that AIDS resulted from U.S. Army bacteriological warfare experiments. U.S. State Department Counter-Misinformation officer Todd Leventhal discusses some of the most notorious Soviet-inspired conspiracy theories and explains how the United States sought to counter them.

Intelligence and Conspiracy Theories I

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:01:00 -0000

What makes conspiracy theories so appealing, and why have they become so prevalent in this day and age? Do some of them contain a grain of truth? And who stands to gain from spreading these ideas? To answer these questions, Peter interviews Professor Robert Alan Goldberg, author of Enemies Within, and a leading authority on conspiracy thinking.

Intelligence Lessons from Vietnam

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Working for the Saigon Military Mission and the CIA, Rufus Phillips spent ten years in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Drawing on this experience, Rufus talks about psychological warfare and counter-insurgency tactics in Vietnam, and lessons for America’s present engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Robert De Niro on Intelligence

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:01:00 -0000

Today, Peter chats with actor and film producer Robert De Niro. De Niro talks about his long-standing interest in the world of intelligence and discusses his latest espionage movie The Good Shepherd about the early history of the CIA. He also provides an insider look at the making of the humorous polygraph scene in Meet the Parents.

U.S. Intelligence in Decline?

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:01:00 -0000

A senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, Melvin A. Goodman served many years as an analyst at the CIA and the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. A critical observer of the intelligence community, he elaborates on his thesis about the decline of U.S. intelligence, specifically its militarization, privatization, and deteriorating analysis capacities.

The CIA and the End of the Cold War

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:01:00 -0000

As CIA station chief in Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Germany in the 1980s and early ‘90s, Milt Bearden observed—and influenced—the end of the Cold War from a unique vantage point. Today, he talks with Peter about U.S. support of Afghani mujahideen against the Soviet invaders, intelligence community reforms, and his work as a consultant on spycraft in Hollywood.

Woman in Disguise - Jonna Mendez

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Jonna Hiestand Mendez began her CIA career as a secretary and ended it as head of the agency’s Office of Technical Services, overseeing the development of gadgets, disguises, and high-tech devices in support of espionage missions. Today, she discusses with Peter some of the operations she was involved in as well as opportunities for women in the intelligence community.

Intelligence and the Presidential Elections II

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Judge William H. Webster, the only person who directed both the FBI (1978-87) and the CIA (1987-91), taps into his vast expertise to discuss with Peter the guidance he would offer to the next U.S. president. In addition, he provides insight on the ever-present tension between civil liberties and national security, and issues of intelligence oversight.

Inspecting the CIA

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is Frederick Hitz, the CIA’s first inspector general subject to U.S. Senate Confirmation (1990-98) and now a lecturer on intelligence at the University of Virginia. In a wide-ranging discussion, Fred talks about intelligence oversight, leadership issues, and terrorism. He also discusses career options in intelligence for young people.

Intelligence and the Presidential Elections I

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:01:00 -0000

A former station chief in Moscow and head of the CIA’s Soviet/East Europe division, Burton Gerber now lectures on intelligence and national security at Georgetown University. Today, Peter interviews him about the post 9/11 reforms of the intelligence community and what guidance he would offer to the next occupant of the White House.

The Iranian Hostage Crisis

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:01:00 -0000

In November 1979, radical Iranian students overran the U.S. embassy in Tehran, capturing most of the embassy staff—except for six diplomats who found refuge with the Canadian embassy. Today, Peter talks with retired CIA officer Tony Mendez who, in an elaborate deception and disguise operation, managed to exfiltrate the six Americans from Tehran before the Iranians were able to track them down.

Intelligence and the Presidency

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:01:00 -0000

How is information from the intelligence community (IC) conveyed to the president, and how have different administrations incorporated intelligence in the political decision-making process? John Hedley, former CIA officer and editor of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), reviews the relationship between the IC and presidents since World War II, in the course revealing fascinating episodes from his personal experience in dealing with several administrations.

Gizmos and Gadgets—the World of Spycraft

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Peter interviews Robert Wallace, director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services (OTS, the department in charge of “gadgetry”) from 1998 to 2002. Bob explains some of his favorite devices, such as the T-100 subminiature camera, and compares OTS’ performance to that of its adversaries. He also reviews the role of OTS in some high-profile spy cases and discusses the capabilities and limitations of technical support in intelligence operations.

Predicting Terrorism

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is Malcolm W. Nance. A 20 year veteran of the US intelligence community, Malcolm has participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. The author of The Terrorist Recognition Handbook and The Terrorists of Iraq, Malcolm discusses with Peter the role of Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda operations in Iraq, and the threat of domestic terrorism in the United States. He also talks about means and methods of effective anti-terrorist operations and cautions against overreactions.

Congressional Perspectives on U.S. Intelligence

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is former Democratic Congressman Louis Stokes from Ohio, who chaired the House Intelligence Committee in the 1980s and the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the 1970s. Congressman Stokes discusses Congress’ role in overseeing the intelligence community and the value of intelligence to national security, and his committee’s investigation of the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Comrade J and Russian Espionage in the U.S.

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Today, Peter interviews espionage writer Pete Earley about one of the most senior Russian intelligence defectors ever, Col. Sergei Tretyakov or “Comrade J.” Pete reveals some of the secrets Tretyakov covertly betrayed to the FBI/CIA while serving as SVR (Russian foreign intelligence) deputy resident in New York in the late 1990s. He also sheds light on Tretyakov’s complex motivations for defecting.

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco - Part II

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Looking further into the U.S. intelligence community’s faulty assessment of Iraq’s WMD program, Peter interviews Bob Drogin, author of Curveball: Spies, Lies and the Conman Who Caused a War. Bob reveals how fabricated information about Saddam’s WMD program from the Iraqi defector “Curveball” could make it all the way to the White House and consequently became one of the primary rationales for war against Iraq.

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Today, Peter interviews Tyler Drumheller, the former chief of CIA covert operations in Europe. In the run-up to the Iraq war, Tyler consistently questioned affirmative intelligence on the existence of Saddam’s WMD program. He recounts his often frustrating efforts to prevent questionable information, such as that provided by the Iraqi defector "Curveball," from distorting intelligence assessments on Iraq.

Valerie Plame Speaks

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is Valerie Plame, a covert CIA officer who recently left the Agency after her name was leaked to the press. Valerie discusses her time at the CIA, the controversy surrounding her case, and the administration’s drive to war against Iraq. She also reveals how suddenly becoming a focus of public attention affected her marriage and family.

On Assignment to Congo

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Today, Peter chats with Larry Devlin, the CIA’s legendary station chief in Congo during the 1960s. Larry reflects on his reasons for joining the CIA, the political situation in Congo at the time, and the face-off with the Soviets in the Third World. He also discusses his response to the controversial directive from headquarters to have Congo’s Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba killed.

Intelligence and the Middle East with Robert Baer

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is Robert Baer who served for many years as a CIA operative in the Middle East. Among other things, Bob talks about his tour of duty in Lebanon, the psychology of suicide bombers, and the emerging threat of Iran. He also discusses the movie Syriana, which is based on his book, See No Evil.

The Polygraph — Science or Art?

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter interviews John Sullivan, the CIA’s longest serving polygrapher. The lie detector has supporters and detractors, and John confronts the controversy surrounding it head-on. He frankly discusses the role of the polygraph in the Agency’s security process and offers his candid opinion on the possibilities and limitations of this device.

Leon Trotsky — Murder in Mexico

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest today is H. Keith Melton, renowned intelligence historian and owner of the largest collection of espionage artifacts. Keith sheds new light on one of the most notorious intelligence operations of all time—the assassination of exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky in Mexico in 1940. Keith reconstructs the operation in all its phases, including material from his own original research.

Cuban Intelligence and the Ana Montes Spy Case

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter’s guest this month is Scott Carmichael of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). As the DIA’s senior counterintelligence investigator, Scott identified one of the most damaging spies in recent U.S. history, the Agency’s own chief Cuba analyst, Ana Belen Montes. Scott discusses Montes’ motivations, the damage she did, and the continuing threat of Cuban intelligence to the United States.

From the Secret Files of the CIA

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter interviews Tom Blanton of the National Security Archive about a recently declassified set of documents regarding illegal CIA activities in the early Cold War. Putting these "Family Jewels" in historical perspective, Tom and Peter discuss the CIA’s participation in domestic wiretapping, assassination attempts at Fidel Castro, and the popular notion of the Agency as a "rogue elephant."

British Intelligence—Past and Present

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter interviews Dame Stella Rimington, former Director-General of MI5, the British domestic security service. Dame Stella compares American and British approaches to intelligence and offers her view on the terrorist threat and the Litvinenko murder. She also discusses the authenticity of spy fiction and reveals her favorite espionage writer.

Counterterrorism, Intelligence, and the Iraq War

Tue, 01 May 2007 05:01:00 -0000

After responding to inquiries from listeners, Peter interviews Melissa Mahle who served for over a decade in the CIA’s clandestine service in the Middle East. Melissa provides a unique intelligence perspective on 9/11, terrorist threats, and America’s continuing engagement in Iraq. She also discusses career opportunities in the intelligence community and the changing role of women in the CIA.

FBI Counterintelligence and the Robert Hanssen Spy Case

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter discusses the Robert Hanssen spy case with retired Senior FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Major who knew Hanssen for over 20 years and was one of his supervisors. Dave shares his thoughts on Hanssen’s personality and reasons for spying for the Russians. Last not least, Dave offers his perspective on how the movie Breach captures and misses aspects of the Hanssen espionage case.

The Movie Breach and Hollywood’s Take on Espionage

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter interviews Eric O’Neill, the FBI investigator who went undercover as Robert Hanssen’s clerk during the final months before Hanssen was arrested for espionage. O’Neill is the model for Ryan Phillippe’s character in the current movie Breach. O’Neill talks about the ways the film mirrors—and diverges—from his real experiences with one of America’s most damaging spies.

Israeli Intelligence and the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter sits down with Ron Olive, former special agent in charge of counterintelligence for the Naval Investigative Service, to discuss Olive’s role in the capture of Jonathan Pollard, one of the most controversial spies in history. Ron talks about investigating and interrogating Pollard, explores Pollard’s motivations and significance, and reveals the real significance of gift cacti.

Reviewing Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 05:01:00 -0000

Peter discusses the film The Good Shepherd with former CIA officer Jack Platt and AFIO (Association for Intelligence Officers) Director Elizabeth Bancroft, comparing fact and fiction in the OSS and CIA. Enjoy a bonus spoiler in which the three debate the meaning of the ending—and the best way to destroy secret information.

The Litvinenko Murder and Other Riddles from Moscow

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 05:01:00 -0000

Peter sits down with former CIA officer Bob Rayle and Oleg Kalugin to talk Russia past and present. The three discuss their perspectives on the recent poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. Then, they turn to 1967 and Bob's role in the extraordinary defection of Svetlana Alliluyeva, daughter of Josef Stalin.

The Secret History of Disguises

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:01:00 -0000

Peter talks with Tony Mendez, former Chief of Disguise for the CIA. Peter and Tony discuss the intricacies of developing disguises for use in hostile environments, the advantages of selective aging, and the secret history of facial recognition technology.

SpyCast

The Hunt for American Turncoats in World War II Europe

The Story Isn't Over: Inside Havana Syndrome and the CIA’s Response

Palmer Luckey on the Next Generation of Intelligence

Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin: Lies, Spies, and Hitler

Fake Shahs and Exfiltrations: Memories from CIA's Former Disguise Chief

When the CIA Lost a Nuclear Device in India

AI Companions May Be China's Next Recruitment Tool

Roald Dahl: The Spy Behind the Storyteller

In Bed With Beijing: The Double Agent Who Seduced Her FBI Handler

Exfiltrating María Corina Machado from Venezuela

Hezbollah’s Long Game in Latin America

Building the US’s First Known Gang Intelligence Database in Latin America

Looking Back on the US Invasion of Panama

Directing The Night Manager

Inside the CIA’s Most Covert and Dangerous Branch: The Special Activities Center

The Man Behind John le Carré

Inside Operation Odyssey Lightning in Libya

Auctioning Off the Key to Kryptos

An Interview with the CIA’s Former “Q”

Inside the CIA’s Book Club Designed to Bring Down Communism

The Hunt for China’s Spy Family

A Family of Spies and a Bloodline of Secrets

From the SpyCast Vault: The Lumumba Plot and The Station Chief's Story

The Lumumba Plot: Cold War in the Congo

Russian Sabotage Operations and NATO’s Complex Alliance

Opening the Foreign Influence Toolkit

From the SpyCast Vault: An Assassination in Mexico

The Dark Web Broker

To Catch a Drug Cartel

Retracing the Hunt for Bin Laden

An Assassination in Athens and a CIA Officer’s Legacy

From the SpyCast Vault: Escaping Tehran with The CIA Pt. 2

From the SpyCast Vault: Escaping Tehran with The CIA

Catching an Iranian-American Missile Broker

Lethal Dissent: Iran’s Spy Games in Turkey

Agent 202: New Secrets Emerge on an American Who Spied for Cuba

Agent of Chaos: The Austrian Fugitive Running Russia’s Global Spy Networks

From Intel Officer to White House Adviser: A Chat with The Museum’s Executive Director

“America’s Gatekeeper”: A Conversation with DCSA’s Director David Cattler

Russia's Fake Identity Assembly Line in Brazil

Breaking the Silence: Coming Out in the CIA

A Conversation with House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

Ghost Stories: The Hunt for Russian Spies in the US

The Secret Navy and Their Hunt for a Nazi Sub

How Are Shifting Priorities Impacting National Security in America?

Sharing Intelligence: Challenges between US and Ukraine

Stories From the President's Daily Brief

The Minions: Putin's Expendable Spies

Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship

Where the ‘West V. Russia’ Plot Begins

DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose

Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations

Introducing Targeted

Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases

Remembering The CIA’s Mind Games

From Covert to Overt: Valerie Plame on political retaliation

Eyes on The Ground: The National Resistance Front in Afghanistan

From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo

Debriefing from the Ukrainian Front

How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy?

What's next for Kim Jong Un?

Campus Cloak-and-Dagger: Spies Targeting American Universities

Agent Zo: The woman who defied the Nazis and Communists

How will President Trump handle intelligence in his second term?

How do you fool Russian Intelligence?

Introducing the New Host: Sasha Ingber

From the Vault: “The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Reflections

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Quote of the Week

Resources

*Andrew’s Recommendation*

*SpyCasts*

*Beginner Resources*

Books

Andrew’s Recommendation

SpyCasts

Beginner Resources

Wildcard Resource

SpyCasts

Beginner Resources

Wildcard Resource

SpyCasts

Wildcard Resource

SpyCasts

Wildcard Resource

SpyCasts

Wildcard Resource