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Date | Titre | Durée | |
---|---|---|---|
22 Apr 2025 | Where the ‘West V. Russia’ Plot Begins | 00:34:17 | |
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.
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04 Mar 2025 | From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo | 00:27:33 | |
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.
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25 Mar 2025 | Remembering The CIA’s Mind Games | 00:33:44 | |
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
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.
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18 Feb 2025 | How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy? | 00:32:33 | |
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.
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07 Feb 2023 | "How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game" – with Mike Susong | 01:03:31 | |
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!***
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14 Feb 2023 | “The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler | 01:11:58 | |
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***
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21 Feb 2023 | “The Espionage News Cycle” – A Conversation with SPY’s Aliza Bran | 01:04:12 | |
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
Scrotum Concealment
Aston Martin DB5
Iron Concealment Device
*Wildcard Resource*
Check out the Refinery29 article that features Aliza’s SPY expertise applied to the collection and analysis of Taylor Swift-related intelligence.
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28 Feb 2023 | Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris | 01:06:56 | |
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)
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07 Mar 2023 | “Espionage and the Metaverse” – with Cathy Hackl | 01:01:55 | |
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!
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14 Mar 2023 | "Hitler’s Trojan Horse” – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West | 01:10:04 | |
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!
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21 Mar 2023 | "Israeli Military Intelligence" – with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser | 01:07:03 | |
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*
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28 Mar 2023 | “Secrets Revealed” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit | 01:05:06 | |
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*
Mata Hari Pencil Sketch (ca. 1905)
German Bombing Map, WWII (1941)
Victor Lazlos Prop Passport (ca. 1942)
The Neptune Monograph (ca. 1944)
J. Edgar Hoover Letter, FBI (1951)
*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?
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04 Apr 2023 | “Indian Intelligence & Cyber” – A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai | 01:02:51 | |
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!
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11 Apr 2023 | “Havana Syndrome” – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid | 00:56:54 | |
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.
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18 Apr 2023 | “Irregular Warfare & Intelligence” - with IWC Director Dennis Walters | 01:09:59 | |
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)
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25 Apr 2023 | Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan | 00:51:48 | |
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*
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25 Jan 2022 | “The Predator Drone Program & the Robotic Revolution” – with Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter | 01:01:15 | |
"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.
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02 May 2023 | Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler | 01:12:13 | |
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*
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09 May 2023 | “St. Ermin’s Hotel, London” – The History of a Legendary Spy Site, with Stephen Duffy | 00:54:53 | |
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*
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16 May 2023 | “70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 1 of 2) | 00:53:53 | |
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*
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23 May 2023 | “70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 2 of 2) | 00:47:05 | |
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*
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30 May 2023 | From the Vault: “El Chapo, the War on Drugs & Intelligence” – with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz | 00:59:16 | |
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
EDNY Press Release on El Chapo Trial (2019)
Memo in Support of Pre-trial Detention, USA vs. Joaquín Guzmán Loera (2017)
Trial Transcripts of El Chapo Text Messages with His Mistress (2012)
Official Report on Mexico’s “Dirty War” (2006)
Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (1999)
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…
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06 Jun 2023 | ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” – with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff | 01:09:49 | |
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*
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13 Jun 2023 | “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West” – with Calder Walton | 01:09:06 | |
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*
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20 Jun 2023 | "The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo | 01:04:29 | |
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*
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27 Jun 2023 | "Venice’s Secret Service" – with Ioanna Iordanou | 00:59:34 | |
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*
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11 Jul 2023 | “The Kneeling Man” – with Leta McCollough Seletsky | 01:13:08 | |
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)
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04 Jul 2023 | From the Vault: “Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 1 of 2) | 01:05:16 | |
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!
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18 Jul 2023 | “Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd” – with Jorhena Thomas | 01:13:04 | |
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)
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25 Jul 2023 | "Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy" – with Michael Vickers | 01:13:29 | |
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
Commander, 500th MI Group, Subj: Guerilla Use of Stinger Missiles and Their Effect on Soviet Tactics in AF, circa 1987.
Memorandum of Conversation between Vice President Bush and Pakistani President Zia, December 8, 1982
Conversation between M.S. Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan on Afghanistan (Excerpt), December 8, 1982
Message to Soviet Ambassadors on the Invasion of Afghanistan, Attachment to CPSU Politburo Decree #177, December 27, 1979
*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,
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01 Aug 2023 | “The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall” – with Director Steve James | 00:59:37 | |
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!
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15 Aug 2023 | "The Gambling Capital of the World: Intelligence, Las Vegas Style!" – with James Lockhart and Keith Michaels | 01:03:16 | |
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***
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08 Aug 2023 | “China’s Corporate Spy War” – with CNBC’s Eamon Javers | 01:09:35 | |
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***
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22 Aug 2023 | “America 3.0” – with Bill Britton of the California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) | 01:01:52 | |
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*
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29 Aug 2023 | “David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence” – with the former CIA Director & 4* General | 01:22:50 | |
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.
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05 Sep 2023 | “Kenya, East Africa, and America” – with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett | 01:08:42 | |
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!
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12 Sep 2023 | “Irish Garda Intelligence Chief” – with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn | 01:01:32 | |
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)
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19 Sep 2023 | “Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran | 01:04:54 | |
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)
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26 Sep 2023 | “First of Many…America’s First Female Intelligence Agency Chief” – with former NGA Director Letitia “Tish” Long | 01:02:47 | |
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.)
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03 Oct 2023 | “A Crash Course in Israeli Intelligence” – with Erez David Maisel | 01:29:50 | |
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*
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10 Oct 2023 | “Former Israeli National Security Advisor” – with Uzi Arad | 01:22:19 | |
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)
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24 Oct 2023 | “Sayeret Matkal: Israel’s Top-Secret Elite Commando Unit” – with Aviram Halevi | 01:12:56 | |
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
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17 Oct 2023 | “The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War” – with Uri Bar-Joseph | 01:13:56 | |
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)
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31 Oct 2023 | Double Bill: “Former Head of Counter-terrorism Analysis, IDF” – with Shlomo Mofaz; and “Former Head of Intelligence, Mossad” – with Zohar Palti | 01:49:30 | |
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
A Strategic Assessment of the Hizballah War: Defeating the Iranian-Syrian Axis in Lebanon (2006)
The PLO Weapons Ship from Iran (2002)
Israeli Perspectives on the Gulf Crisis (1990)
The Intifada in Judea and Samaria: A View From the Field (1990)
Judea and Samaria: Behind the Uprising (1988)
Hamas Covenant (1988)
Israel’s “Peace for the Galilee” Operation in Lebanon – Some Initial Perspectives (1982)
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States and the Government of Israel on Strategic Cooperation (1981)
*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!
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07 Nov 2023 | “Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen” – with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends | 00:58:40 | |
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
A Review of the FBI’s Progress in Responding to the Recommendations in the Office of the Inspector General Report on Robert Hanssen (2007)
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Voted Today to Begin a Formal Investigation of the Robert Philip Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
George W. Bush Remarks on the Robert Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
Affidavit in Robert Hanssen Spy Case (2001)
Veteran FBI Agent Arrested and Charged with Espionage (2001)
Statement of FBI Director Louis J. Freeh On the Arrest of FBI Special Agent Robert Philip Hanssen (2001)
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14 Nov 2023 | “My Father the Navajo Code-Talker” – with Laura Tohe | 01:03:44 | |
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
Navajo Code Talkers: Oral History Interviews (various)
Proclamation 4954 -- National Navaho Code Talkers Day (1982)
Memorandum from Commander General Vogel to the Marine Corps Regarding Enlistment of "Navaho" Indians (1942)
*Wildcard Resource*
Diné Bahaneʼ: The Navajo Creation Story
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21 Nov 2023 | “British Defence Attaché, U.S.A.” – with Rear Admiral Tim Woods | 01:05:05 | |
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
UK defence policy and the role of the armed forces (2023)
Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world (2023)
Defence Command Paper 2023: Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world (2023)
Statement on the Salisbury & Amesbury Investigation by Neil Basu (2018)
Strategic Defence and Security Review: First Annual Report (2010)
Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine (1991)
*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.
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28 Nov 2023 | “The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence” – with Dina Rezk | 01:02:57 | |
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
Mining of the Red Sea (1984)
CBS Broadcast “The Assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat” (1981)
‘The Most Dangerous Game’ In Mideast (1980)
Special Assessments on the Middle East Situation (1967)
“Cairo Hails Nasser as Situation Sends Dulles to England” Newsreel (1956)
Meeting at the White House to Discuss Suez Crisis (1956)
*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.
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05 Dec 2023 | “The Most Famous Art Detective in the World” – with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman | 01:11:47 | |
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!
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12 Dec 2023 | “My Life in American Intelligence” – with Barry Zulauf | 01:08:35 | |
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.
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19 Dec 2023 | “Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin | 01:06:54 | |
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!
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26 Dec 2023 | From the Vault: Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris | 01:15:11 | |
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)
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28 Jan 2025 | Agent Zo: The woman who defied the Nazis and Communists | 00:30:52 | |
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.
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15 Apr 2025 | DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose | 00:33:22 | |
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.
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08 Apr 2025 | Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations | 00:32:11 | |
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.
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21 Jan 2025 | How will President Trump handle intelligence in his second term? | 00:32:47 | |
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:
The President's Book of Secrets - Understanding the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) with David Priess
Hot Topics: Intelligence Challenges in an Election Year
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.
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17 Jun 2024 | SpyCast Trailer | 00:01:05 | |
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01 Apr 2025 | Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases | 00:31:43 | |
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
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.
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14 Jan 2025 | How do you fool Russian Intelligence? | 00:28:13 | |
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:
SpyCast - James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son – with His Mother Diane Foley
Operación Jaque - The Daring Rescue Mission That Freed 15 Hostages
Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ambassador Roger D. Carstens
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.
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02 Jan 2024 | From the Vault: “The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler | 01:20:13 | |
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***
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09 Jan 2024 | From the Vault: The Professional Hacker with Eric Escobar (Pt 1.) | 01:06:45 | |
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!
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16 Jan 2024 | Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland | 01:16:47 | |
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.
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23 Jan 2024 | Australian National Day Special: “Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland” | 01:08:34 | |
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!
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30 Jan 2024 | From the Vault: 70th Anniversary of James Bond - with Alexis Albion | 01:02:50 | |
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*
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06 Feb 2024 | “The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence” with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich | 01:12:26 | |
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
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13 Feb 2024 | CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta | 01:19:57 | |
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
Statement on Syria before the Senate Armed Services Committee (2012)
Nomination of Hon. Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense (2011)
Statement to Employees by CIA Director Leon Panetta on the Death of Usama Bin Ladin (2011)
Nomination of Leon Panetta to be Director, Central Intelligence Agency (2009)
Memorandum for Leon Panetta on POTUS’ Time Investment (1996)
Letter from Brown to Panetta Regarding Fiscal Year 1994-1997 (1993)
Letter to the Honorable Leon E. Panetta from George Bush (1977)
*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.
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20 Feb 2024 | A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder | 01:13:33 | |
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.”
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?
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27 Feb 2024 | A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder | 01:09:34 | |
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?
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05 Mar 2024 | The James Bond Collector - with Mike VanBlaricum | 01:14:13 | |
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...
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12 Mar 2024 | Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) – with Sara Castro | 01:13:38 | |
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.
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19 Mar 2024 | “The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law” – with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid | 01:13:35 | |
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.
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26 Mar 2024 | “Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon” – with Mark Edlitz | 01:12:11 | |
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!
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02 Apr 2024 | “I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher” – with David Oranchak | 01:18:35 | |
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
The Zodiac Killer FBI Case File (1969)
San Francisco Zodiac Letter (1969)
San Francisco Suspect Sketches (1969)
Zodiac’s 408 Cipher (1969)
Zodiac’s 340 Cipher (1969)
The Beale Papers (1885)
The Dorabella Cipher (1897)
Voynich Manuscript (ca. 1401-1599)
*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.
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09 Apr 2024 | “The Director-General of NZ Security Intelligence Service” – with Andrew Hampton | 01:16:25 | |
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
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand (1835)
Te Tiriti o Waitangi — the Treaty of Waitangi (1840)
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act (1969)
Intelligence and Security Committee Act (1996)
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act (1996)
Government Communications Security Bureau Act (2003)
Intelligence and Security Act (2017)
*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!
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16 Apr 2024 | “The Foundations of American Intelligence in WWI” – with Mark Stout | 01:17:56 | |
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 …
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23 Apr 2024 | “Navigating a Career in Counterterrorism as a Muslim – with Angie Gad” | 01:06:56 | |
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
United States of America v. Ammon BUNDY, Jon RITZHEIMER, Joseph O'SHAUGHNESSY, Ryan PAYNE, Ryan BUNDY, Brian CAVALIER, Shawna COX, Peter SANTILLI (2016)
National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan (2013)
Progress Made and Work Remaining in Implementing Homeland Security Missions 10 Years after 9/11 (2011)
Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States (2011)
9/11 Commission Report (2004)
Targets of Suspicion: The Impact of Post-9/11 Policies on Muslims, Arabs and South Asians in the United States (2004)
American Psyche Reeling From Terror Attacks (2001)
*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.
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30 Apr 2024 | “Interstellar Intelligence” – with Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb | 01:07:05 | |
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
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (2024)
Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (2021)
UFO Files: The Untold Story (1979)
Space tests branded as propaganda (1964)
People Are Talking About … Little Green Men (1964)
Unidentified Flying Objects: Writer Says They’re a Dangerous Problem (1954)
*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.
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04 Feb 2025 | Campus Cloak-and-Dagger: Spies Targeting American Universities | 00:29:47 | |
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:
Secret History of History: Color Wars Part II with Catherine McKinley
Chinese Corporate Espionage - The Tale of the Tea Thief with Sarah Rose
Declassified Dessert | How to Make Cuban Spy Ana Montes’ Cheesecake
Queen of Cuba with Peter J. Lapp
SpyCast | “Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin
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.
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07 May 2024 | “James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son” – with His Mother Diane Foley | 01:18:27 | |
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
A Proclamation on U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day (2024)
Executive Order on Bolstering Efforts to Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home (2022)
FBI Hostage Rescue Team Policy Guide (2019)
Report on U.S. Hostage Policy (2015)
Murder of James Foley Press Statement (2014)
Hostage Negotiation: A Matter of Life and Death (1983)
Current Status of the Hostage Crisis and the Implications of US Policy Options (1980)
*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.
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14 May 2024 | “Codebreaking and Codemaking Down Under” – with John Blaxland and Clare Birgin | 01:23:04 | |
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.
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21 May 2024 | “The Real Ian Fleming” with Nicholas Shakespeare | 01:26:23 | |
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.
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28 May 2024 | “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster | 01:10:10 | |
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
All Intelligence Agencies of Our Partners are Informed of the Current Threats and Prospects – Address by the President (2024)
Freedom must always prevail when challenged – speech by the President of Ukraine at the National Defense University of the United States (2023)
Address by the President: Ukrainians are a symbol of invincibility (2022)
Address by the President to Ukrainians at the end of the first day of Russia's attacks (2022)
Constitution of Ukraine (1996)
Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine (1991)
Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood (1941)
Ukrainian Proclamation of Independence (1917)
*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.
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04 Jun 2024 | “Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma” – with Andrew Hodges | 01:10:48 | |
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.
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11 Jun 2024 | “U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)” – with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius | 01:12:34 | |
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.
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18 Jun 2024 | “The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts” – with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann | 01:10:43 | |
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?
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25 Jun 2024 | "The Real James Bond Cars" – with Top Gear's Jason Barlow | 01:10:38 | |
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
Aston Martin DB5
AMC Hornet
Mustang Mach 1
Lotus Esprit
Aston Martin V8
Toyota 2000GT
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
BMW 750iL
*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.”
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02 Jul 2024 | The National Intelligence Council – with Michael Collins | 01:10:17 | |
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.
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09 Jul 2024 | Cybersecurity in The White House – with Camille Stewart Gloster | 01:10:13 | |
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
2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States (2024)
National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: Initial Stages of Implementation (2024)
Executive Order on Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern (2024)
National Cybersecurity Strategy (2023)
National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (2023)
National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (2023)
CHIPS Act (2022)
Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (2021)
*Wildcard Resource*
Test your cybersecurity awareness with this #BeCyberSmart crossword from the Center for Development of Security Excellence.
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16 Jul 2024 | The Future of NATO with Leon Panetta and Expert Panel | 01:29:58 | |
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
Statement by the North Atlantic Council on recent Russian hybrid activities (2024)
Joint letter to DoD for Urgent Ukraine Aid (2024)
Address by the President to Ukrainians at the end of the first day of Russia's attacks (2022)
Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the situation at the Poland-Belarus border (2021)
Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Estonia (2003)
Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Latvia (2003)
Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Lithuania (2003)
The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)
*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
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23 Jul 2024 | Leading United States Central Command - with General Frank McKenzie | 01:13:25 | |
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
Retirement Ceremony Honors CENTCOM Commander (2022)
U.S. Central Command Statement on the Realignment of the State of Israel (2021)
Memorandum Re: January 2020 Airstrike in Iraq Against Qassem Soleimani (2020)
Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan (2020)
Remarks by President Trump on the Death of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (2019)
Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986)
*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.
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30 Jul 2024 | Reporting Intelligence - with Warren Strobel and Brett Forrest of the Wall Street Journal | 01:18:12 | |
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
It is time to do everything to make the war crimes of the Russian military the last manifestation of this evil on earth - address by the President of Ukraine (2022)
UN Report on the Killing of Civilians in Ukraine (2022)
McClatchy (Knight Ridder) Iraq Intelligence Archive (2001-2007)
Reporting the War (2005)
*Wildcard Resource*
Shock and Awe (2017)
Starring James Marsden as Warren Strobel!
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06 Aug 2024 | The Murder of an IRA Spy with Henry Hemming | 01:07:37 | |
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.
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13 Aug 2024 | The JFK Assassination – a Debate with Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid (Part 1) | 01:15:02 | |
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.
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20 Aug 2024 | The JFK Assassination – a Debate with Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid (Part 2) | 01:02:19 | |
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.
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27 Aug 2024 | Lethal Action - Understanding Poison with Neil Bradbury | 01:12:10 | |
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.
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03 Sep 2024 | The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate with Rachel Noble | 01:11:15 | |
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
REDSPICE Blueprint (2022)
Report of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security (1977)
Australian Treaty Series: Five Power Defence Agreements (1971)
Australian Treaty Series: 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)
Policy file containing Cabinet approval of establishment of Joint Intelligence Organisation and participation of New Zealand Government (1946)
ASD Role and effectiveness of Signals Intelligence in World War II (1945)
*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!
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10 Sep 2024 | The Spycatcher Affair & MI5: The Scandal that Shook Britain with Tim Tate | 01:15:50 | |
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.
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17 Sep 2024 | The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett | 01:12:29 | |
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.
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24 Sep 2024 | Ciphers, Disguise, and Invisible Ink: Tools of the Trade with Pete Langman & Nadine Akkerman | 01:07:31 | |
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.
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01 Oct 2024 | Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence - with Jennifer Ewbank | 01:14:54 | |
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!
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