CIA Files: True Stories of U.S Intelligence
119 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★ - 58 ratingsWe explore the history of the Central Intelligence Agency by telling the stories of the individuals who lived through it. We'll discuss the villains, the victims, and the heroes. We'll uncover the motivations and the ideals of the people who set into motion world-changing events that have steered global politics along the course that has led us to where we are today. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
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Episodes
Raw File News: The Many Forms of Genocide. Plus, the CIA needs better jokes writers.
April 12, 2022 18:19 - 1 hour - 159 MBWe discuss more claims of Russian war crimes, of course. Plus, a Russian "humanitarian" group announces it'll soon be easier than ever for Russian citizens to adopt Ukrainian orphans. Isn't that nice? We also give an update on the dire situations in Yemen and Ethiopia. And we also get a peek behind the curtain of the CIA as we review a formerly top-secret document containing the very best in anti-Soviet comedy. I bet you can't wait. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/09/world/europe/putin-rus...
Raw File News Episode 15: The Many Forms of Genocide. Plus, the CIA needs better jokes writers.
April 12, 2022 18:19 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBWe discuss more claims of Russian war crimes, of course. Plus, a Russian "humanitarian" group announces it'll soon be easier than ever for Russian citizens to adopt Ukrainian orphans. Isn't that nice? We also give an update on the dire situations in Yemen and Ethiopia. And we also get a peek behind the curtain of the CIA as we review a formerly top-secret document containing the very best in anti-Soviet comedy. I bet you can't wait. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/09/world/europe/putin-rus...
Episode 12: James Jesus Angleton part 2: We're Just Getting Started! Episode 9 is Part 1
April 07, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBJim Angleton was not an ignorant man – he hoarded information the way some unhealthy people hoard newspapers and broken kitchen appliances. Neither was he unintelligent nor unsophisticated – he was a keenly critical and thoughtful individual schooled in literary criticism and spycraft. But James Jesus Angleton, convinced of his own suspicions, which were reinforced by great personal betrayal, became a tyrant of sorts – working within a private world that he constructed – ending up lost, con...
James Jesus Angleton part 2: We're Just Getting Started!
April 07, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 85.8 MBJim Angleton was not an ignorant man – he hoarded information the way some unhealthy people hoard newspapers and broken kitchen appliances. Neither was he unintelligent nor unsophisticated – he was a keenly critical and thoughtful individual schooled in literary criticism and spycraft. But James Jesus Angleton, convinced of his own suspicions, which were reinforced by great personal betrayal, became a tyrant of sorts – working within a private world that he constructed – ending up lost, con...
Raw File News Episode 14: Is Doxing Always Bad? Also, the Insanity of Project Pluto
April 05, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBhttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/apr/01/first-food-aid-for-100-days-enters-tigray-under-humanitarian-truce https://news.yahoo.com/saudi-offered-rebel-rejected-cease-030832024.html https://www.businessinsider.com/great-translation-movement-twitter-account-blowing-up-russia-ukraine-2022-3 https://twitter.com/TGTM_Official https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-asks-putin-release-info-hunter-biden-rcna22117 https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/30/video-sho...
Raw File News: Is Doxing Always Bad? Also, the Insanity of Project Pluto
April 05, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 161 MBhttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/apr/01/first-food-aid-for-100-days-enters-tigray-under-humanitarian-truce https://news.yahoo.com/saudi-offered-rebel-rejected-cease-030832024.html https://www.businessinsider.com/great-translation-movement-twitter-account-blowing-up-russia-ukraine-2022-3 https://twitter.com/TGTM_Official https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-asks-putin-release-info-hunter-biden-rcna22117 https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/30/video-sho...
Coming Soon: James Jesus Angleton, Part Two
March 29, 2022 14:44 - 1 minute - 3.88 MBFor a brief time within the history of the United States, its citizens trusted that their country’s best and brightest were in charge – competent leaders who knew how to navigate the complex, often treacherous, paths of diplomacy and global conflict. This trust, like most things, would not endure. In the decades immediately following the Second World War, the political mandate engendered by the public’s trust would be squandered by a cadre of self-important men who each believed fervently t...
Raw File News: A Little of This, a Little of That
March 29, 2022 10:00 - 54 minutes - 126 MBThis week on Raw File News (that’s what we’re calling the news now. What do you think?) – Some progress in Ethiopia as a ceasefire has the potential to end the deadly conflict in Tigray… Plus, Houthi rebels claim responsibility for a massive explosion that rocked an oil field in Saudi Arabia… And mixed signals from Moscow as the bloody Russian invasion of Ukraine continues… Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dies, and Guantanamo Bay gives her a strange send-off. This is Raw Fi...
Raw File News Episode 13: A Little of This, a Little of That
March 29, 2022 10:00 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBThis week on Raw File News (that’s what we’re calling the news now. What do you think?) – Some progress in Ethiopia as a ceasefire has the potential to end the deadly conflict in Tigray… Plus, Houthi rebels claim responsibility for a massive explosion that rocked an oil field in Saudi Arabia… And mixed signals from Moscow as the bloody Russian invasion of Ukraine continues… Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dies, and Guantanamo Bay gives her a strange send-off. This is Raw Fi...
Guy Burgess: I Gotta Be Me!
March 22, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBGuy Burgess was perhaps the most unlikely spy in history, which is probably why he ended up being one of the best spies in history. Guy pulled off incredible feats of espionage without ever being caught. He accomplished this work with a staggering level of audacity and aplomb, all while drinking enough alcohol to kill two or three tortured musicians. Not only did Guy not hide his true self, he was utterly incapable of it. To meet Guy Burgess was to know Guy Burgess: unkempt, opinionated, ...
Episode 11: Guy Burgess: I Gotta Be Me! This is the third episode in our series on the Cambridge 5. (First 2 are episodes 7 & 10)
March 22, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBGuy Burgess was perhaps the most unlikely spy in history, which is probably why he ended up being one of the best spies in history. Guy pulled off incredible feats of espionage without ever being caught. He accomplished this work with a staggering level of audacity and aplomb, all while drinking enough alcohol to kill two or three tortured musicians. Not only did Guy not hide his true self, he was utterly incapable of it. To meet Guy Burgess was to know Guy Burgess: unkempt, opinionated, ...
News: Did you know Ukraine isn't the only place where stuff's happening?
March 21, 2022 18:15 - 1 hour - 258 MBHumans are being terrible to each other all over the world. So we talk about a few places that aren't being invaded by Russia. And of course we also talk about places that ARE being invaded by Russia. Also, don't Google "methane cascade." Not if you want to enjoy your week.
Raw File News: Did you know Ukraine isn't the only place where stuff's happening?
March 21, 2022 18:15 - 1 hour - 258 MBHumans are being terrible to each other all over the world. So we talk about a few places that aren't being invaded by Russia. And of course we also talk about places that ARE being invaded by Russia. Also, don't Google "methane cascade." Not if you want to enjoy your week.
Raw File News Episode 12: Did you know Ukraine isn't the only place where stuff's happening?
March 21, 2022 18:15 - 1 hour - 103 MBHumans are being terrible to each other all over the world. So we talk about a few places that aren't being invaded by Russia. And of course we also talk about places that ARE being invaded by Russia. Also, don't Google "methane cascade." Not if you want to enjoy your week. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
Raw File News Episode 11: [Insert Clever Title Here]
March 15, 2022 18:11 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBRussian disinformation, taking a point from George W Bush's playbook. Putin in a thong. And we play a fun yet horrifying game. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
News [Insert Clever Title Here]
March 15, 2022 18:11 - 53 minutes - 123 MBRussian disinformation, taking a point from George W Bush's playbook. Putin in a thong. And we play a fun yet horrifying game.
Raw File News: [Insert Clever Title Here]
March 15, 2022 18:11 - 53 minutes - 123 MBRussian disinformation, taking a point from George W Bush's playbook. Putin in a thong. And we play a fun yet horrifying game.
Raw File News: Are Y'all Tired of Hearing About Russia Yet? Too Bad.
March 07, 2022 19:21 - 1 hour - 176 MBRussia, Russia, Russia! Do you think China's starting to feel like Jan Brady yet, or are they glad to have a break from all the attention?
Are Y'all Tired of Hearing About Russia Yet? Too Bad.
March 07, 2022 19:21 - 1 hour - 176 MBRussia, Russia, Russia! Do you think China's starting to feel like Jan Brady yet, or are they glad to have a break from all the attention?
Raw File News Episode 10: Are Y'all Tired of Hearing About Russia Yet? Too Bad.
March 07, 2022 19:21 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBRussia, Russia, Russia! Do you think China's starting to feel like Jan Brady yet, or are they glad to have a break from all the attention? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
Raw File News: What's What In Russia?
March 01, 2022 13:38 - 1 hour - 175 MBChris and Brandon discuss the current Russian invasion into Ukraine and what's next for Russia. They also dive a little into Putin's past. Where did this guy come from? What's his driving motivation? Let's find out.
CIA Files News: What's What In Russia?
March 01, 2022 13:38 - 1 hour - 175 MBChris and Brandon discuss the current Russian invasion into Ukraine and what's next for Russia. They also dive a little into Putin's past. Where did this guy come from? What's his driving motivation? Let's find out.
Raw File News Episode 9: What's What In Russia?
March 01, 2022 13:38 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBChris and Brandon discuss the current Russian invasion into Ukraine and what's next for Russia. They also dive a little into Putin's past. Where did this guy come from? What's his driving motivation? Let's find out. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
Raw File News: A Little Bit of What's Up
February 21, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 50.8 MBChris and Brandon talk Russia, China, and Civ 5. And some other stuff, but that's most of it.
Raw File News Episode 8: A Little Bit of What's Up
February 21, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 50.8 MBChris and Brandon talk Russia, China, and Civ 5. And some other stuff, but that's most of it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
CIA Files: A Little Bit of News
February 21, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 50.8 MBChris and Brandon talk Russia, China, and Civ 5. And some other stuff, but that's most of it.
Raw File News Episode 7: Sunday Morning Talkin' Global Stuff
February 16, 2022 00:04 - 38 minutes - 88.5 MBChris and Brandon discuss a handful of stories, including strategic intelligence leaks, same old, same old from the CIA, and Battlebots In Space! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
CIA Files: Sunday Morning Talkin' News
February 16, 2022 00:04 - 38 minutes - 88.5 MBChris and Brandon discuss a handful of stories, including strategic intelligence leaks, same old, same old from the CIA, and Battlebots In Space!
Raw File News: Sunday Morning Talkin' Global Stuff
February 16, 2022 00:04 - 38 minutes - 88.5 MBChris and Brandon discuss a handful of stories, including strategic intelligence leaks, same old, same old from the CIA, and Battlebots In Space!
Episode 10: Kim Philby Part 2: I Really Must Be Going; The second episode on our series on the Cambridge 5
February 08, 2022 14:10 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBAfter secretly committing himself to the cause of Communism and to serving the Soviet Union, Kim Philby worked as a reporter in the time preceding WWII. But once the War started, he decided to look for better ways to fight off Fascism and to gain access to the inner workings of his homeland. He'd been casting about for an invitation into British intelligence when fellow Trinity College alum Guy Burgess introduced him to the chief of staff of MI6 Section D's training school for propaganda, Ma...
Kim Philby Part 2: I Really Must Be Going
February 08, 2022 14:10 - 53 minutes - 123 MBAfter secretly committing himself to the cause of Communism and to serving the Soviet Union, Kim Philby worked as a reporter in the time preceding WWII. But once the War started, he decided to look for better ways to fight off Fascism and to gain access to the inner workings of his homeland. He'd been casting about for an invitation into British intelligence when fellow Trinity College alum Guy Burgess introduced him to the chief of staff of MI6 Section D's training school for propaganda, Ma...
One Half-Hour of Global News
February 01, 2022 23:10 - 33 minutes - 77.7 MBChris and Brandon discuss a few things happening around the world.
Raw File News: One Half-Hour of Global News
February 01, 2022 23:10 - 33 minutes - 77.7 MBChris and Brandon discuss a few things happening around the world.
Raw File News Episode 6: One Half-Hour of Global News
February 01, 2022 23:10 - 33 minutes - 77.7 MBChris and Brandon discuss a few things happening around the world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
Raw File News: I Heard Something's Up In Ukraine?
January 26, 2022 23:42 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MBBrandon and I go over the rising tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West. Brandon gives us some historical context for where things are at now, and he makes a prediction or two.
Raw File News Episode 5: I Heard Something's Up In Ukraine?
January 26, 2022 23:42 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MBBrandon and I go over the rising tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West. Brandon gives us some historical context for where things are at now, and he makes a prediction or two. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
I Heard Something's Up In Ukraine?
January 26, 2022 23:42 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MBBrandon and I go over the rising tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West. Brandon gives us some historical context for where things are at now, and he makes a prediction or two.
Raw File News Episode 4: What Just Happened In Kazakhstan?
January 17, 2022 13:41 - 49 minutes - 114 MBAfter having lived and worked in Kazakhstan for some time, Brandon gives us a breakdown of what led to the recent mass protests and subsequent violence. What caused the uprising? Were the protests started by outside agitators? Did foreign terrorists take advantage of national unrest to attempt a coup? And if so, were key government officials involved in some way? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
What Happened In Kazakhstan?
January 17, 2022 13:41 - 49 minutes - 114 MBAfter having lived and worked in Kazakhstan for some time, Brandon gives us a breakdown of what led to the recent mass protests and subsequent violence. What caused the uprising? Were the protests started by outside agitators? Did foreign terrorists take advantage of national unrest to attempt a coup? And if so, were key government officials involved in some way?
Raw File News: What Just Happened In Kazakhstan?
January 17, 2022 13:41 - 49 minutes - 114 MBAfter having lived and worked in Kazakhstan for some time, Brandon gives us a breakdown of what led to the recent mass protests and subsequent violence. What caused the uprising? Were the protests started by outside agitators? Did foreign terrorists take advantage of national unrest to attempt a coup? And if so, were key government officials involved in some way?
Episode 9: James Jesus Angleton: Poetry, Fly Fishing, and Fascism (part 1)
January 11, 2022 19:15 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBToward the end of the Second World War, many Americans had rather strong feelings about Fascists, mostly, that Fascists were evil and tyrranical, fueled by hatred and a total disregard for human life. But there were some who didn’t feel that the Fascists were all that bad. Some Americans actually thought that perhaps the Fascists actually had some good points, if you didn’t get too hung up on the violent anti-semitism. Jim Angleton fell solidly in the latter category. As a young man, he wa...
James Jesus Angleton: Poetry, Fly Fishing, and Fascism
January 11, 2022 19:15 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBToward the end of the Second World War, many Americans had rather strong feelings about Fascists, mostly, that Fascists were evil and tyrranical, fueled by hatred and a total disregard for human life. But there were some who didn’t feel that the Fascists were all that bad. Some Americans actually thought that perhaps the Fascists actually had some good points, if you didn’t get too hung up on the violent anti-semitism. Jim Angleton fell solidly in the latter category. As a young man, he wa...
Frank Wisner: Local Boy Makes Good
November 16, 2021 19:19 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBWere it not for a handful of loud, persistent voices shouting “Fire” about Stalin’s intentions toward Western Values, the Cold War may well have never occurred, or may at least have been less brutal, less deadly. And maybe the United States wouldn’t have compromised its stated moral codes so egregiously in the decades following the end of the Second World War. A liberal Southern lawyer was one of those few, loud voices. Frank Wisner, a man socially ahead of his time, did what he thought was...
Episode 8: Frank Wisner: Local Boy Makes Good
November 16, 2021 19:19 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBWere it not for a handful of loud, persistent voices shouting “Fire” about Stalin’s intentions toward Western Values, the Cold War may well have never occurred, or may at least have been less brutal, less deadly. And maybe the United States wouldn’t have compromised its stated moral codes so egregiously in the decades following the end of the Second World War. A liberal Southern lawyer was one of those few, loud voices. Frank Wisner, a man socially ahead of his time, did what he thought was...
Secret Agent Super Spy: Harold Kim Philby
October 19, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 112 MBKim Philby was born into peculiar circumstances at a pivotal moment in world history, and he played his part in the struggle between ideologies that shaped our modern world. But to ask who he was is perhaps too big a question to ever fully understand. It can be said of Philby that he was a genial man -- pleasant and inquisitive. People tended to trust him instinctively, and he was always a willing confidant to anyone with something to get off of their chest. He suffered from a slight stutt...
Episode 7: Secret Agent Super Spy: Harold Kim Philby: The 1st in a series on the Cambridge 5
October 19, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBKim Philby was born into peculiar circumstances at a pivotal moment in world history, and he played his part in the struggle between ideologies that shaped our modern world. But to ask who he was is perhaps too big a question to ever fully understand. It can be said of Philby that he was a genial man -- pleasant and inquisitive. People tended to trust him instinctively, and he was always a willing confidant to anyone with something to get off of their chest. He suffered from a slight stutt...
A Brief Interlude And A Brief Mention
September 28, 2021 15:48 - 13 minutes - 31.2 MBSadly, we had to postpone this week's episode. But I do discuss a man who deserves his own episode somewhere down the road: St John Philby, father of notorious double-agent Kim Philby. We thought this might help understand Kim Philby, whom we will be covering with the next episode. See you soon! (Well, not literally "see you soon," but we'll have a new episode out soon and we hope you listen to it!) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
William Samuel Stephenson: Decent Spy, Amazing Liar
September 14, 2021 11:40 - 37 minutes - 86 MBSomebody had to teach Americans how to conduct espionage, and British spymaster William Samuel Stephenson was just the man for the job. He taught American spies how to lie, cheat, and use the media to manipulate the populace. He laid the groundwork for practices that would ultimately undermine public trust in the government, leading to where we are today.
Episode 6: William Samuel Stephenson: Decent Spy, Amazing Liar
September 14, 2021 11:40 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBSomebody had to teach Americans how to conduct espionage, and British spymaster William Samuel Stephenson was just the man for the job. He taught American spies how to lie, cheat, and use the media to manipulate the populace. He laid the groundwork for practices that would ultimately undermine public trust in the government, leading to where we are today. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ciafiles/support
News Files: Afghanistan
August 26, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 72.9 MBAs the war between the U.S. and the Taliban comes to an end after 20 years, Brandon and Chris discuss the history behind the current situation, conditions surrounding the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and what might be next for Afghanistan.