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SpyTalk

111 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago -

SpyTalk lives at the intersection of intelligence operations, foreign policy, homeland security, and military strategy. Hosted by veteran national security journalist Jeff Stein, the podcast features exclusives by SpyTalk’s roster of longtime reporters, news and profiles of US and foreign spymasters, and interviews with policymakers and expert authors. There’s nothing quite like it—a place for experts and laypersons alike, who enjoy national security scoops and insights by SpyTalk's subject matter experts. 
For more SpyTalk go to: https://www.spytalk.co/

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Episodes

Tipping Off Our Enemies to Terrorist Attacks

April 19, 2024 09:00 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MB

Last month’s spectacular terrorist attack on a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, which left 144 people dead, was quickly followed by startling news that US intelligence had warned the Russians about the impending assault. When the Kremlin said the warnings hadn’t been specific, moreover, US officials pushed back, saying, in effect, “Oh yes they were,” and added details to its rejoinder. Likewise, it turned out that back in January, US intelligence had warned Iran about an impending I...

More Havana Syndrome Questions

April 05, 2024 09:00 - 35 minutes - 33 MB

New SpyTalk Contributing Editor Mike Isikoff pokes holes in 60 Minutes’ blockbuster story. Michael Isikoff https://twitter.com/Isikoff Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.c...

Spies and Sex: A History of Honeytraps

March 23, 2024 22:08 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MB

Jeff talks with Henry Schlesinger, author of "Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Weaponized Love." Henry Schlesinger Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal, and Weaponized Love https://a.co/d/cwXy65Z     Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF...

A Life in CIA Trickery

March 08, 2024 07:00 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MB

Jonna Mendez, former CIA chief of disguises, discusses her new book, “In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked.” Jonna Mendez In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked https://www.amazon.com/True-Face-Womans-Life-Unmasked/dp/154170312X Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http...

Russia, Russia, Russia

February 26, 2024 20:42 - 20 minutes - 19 MB

Former top CIA ops official Dan Hoffman talks with Jeff about options on Putin. Daniel Hoffman https://twitter.com/danielhoffmanDC Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyT...

The Taylor Swift Infowar Tutorial

February 09, 2024 22:30 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MB

Former US Army “influence ops” specialist Paul Cobaugh talks with Jeff about combatting conspiracy mongering.  More from Paul Cobaugh https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cobaugh-5253b335/ truthaboutthreats.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid...

Red Cell Study on China Rise

January 28, 2024 00:58 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MB

Former CIA officials Kristin Wood and Martin Petersen built a Red Cell project on The Cipher Brief to challenge experts to explore how China came to supplant the US by 2041. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jef...

Green Berets and Covert Ops

January 13, 2024 10:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MB

Former Special Forces and CIA case officer James Stejskal chats with Jeff Stein about Berlin, Russia and more.   More from our Guest: James Stejskal  https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Stejskal/author/B00NXOQG4Y?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can g...

The CIA in 2024

December 29, 2023 07:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

Former senior CIA officer Glenn Corn talks with Jeff Stein about the agency’s new generation and its challenges in the Middle East, Russia, and Ukraine in 2024. More from our Guest: Glenn Corn https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/glenn-corn     Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://...

Chinese Military Hackers in Our Pipes

December 15, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MB

The Washington Post’s Ellen Nakashima talks with Jeff about Beijing’s secret infiltration of US infrastructure. Ellen Nakashima https://twitter.com/nakashimae Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Tw...

The Week in Spy Plots & Murder

December 01, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

Former CIA ops officer Douglas London joins Jeff to discuss spooky events from Gaza to Moscow, Kyiv & beyond.  Doug London https://twitter.com/douglaslondon5 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twi...

A Thriller in Ukraine

November 17, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MB

The Washington Post’s Shane Harris joins Jeff to discuss his scoop on Ukraine’s murky op to sabotage the Nordstream-2 pipeline.  Follow Shane Harris https://twitter.com/shaneharris https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shane-harris/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback http://survey.podtrac.com/star...

Target Moscow

October 27, 2023 17:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MB

CIA Russia Hand John Sipher discusses spying and sabotage ops against Vladimir Putin. Follow John Sipher https://twitter.com/john_sipher Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitte...

THE CIA’S EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN

October 13, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MB

Liza Mundy, author of “The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA,” is this week’s special guest. Follow Liza Mundy Liza Mundy (@lizamundy) / Twitter Pre-Order “THE SISTERHOOD” out 10/17 https://www.lizamundy.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback, too. http://survey.podtrac.com...

A Life in the Wilderness of Mirrors | CBS News’ David Martin reflects on 40 years covering national security

October 06, 2023 14:00 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MB

This week, Jeff talks with award-winning journalist and groundbreaking author of “Wilderness of Mirrors,” National Security Correspondent for CBS, David Martin. David C. Martin (@CBSDavidMartin) / Twitter X Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback, too. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?p...

Can Anyone Stop Cyber Terrorism?

September 22, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MB

This week Jeff talks cybersecurity with Michael Mestrovich, the former director of the CIA’s Technical Services Office; former Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Department of State, and current Chief Information Security Officer at Rubrik. Michael Mestrovich | LinkedIn Rubrik Leadership Rubrik a Multi-Cloud Data Control Company Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk...

A CIA EPITAPH ON 9/11

September 14, 2023 21:30 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Jeff talks with retired former CIA Al Qaeda expert Cindy Storer   Cynthia Storer | Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs Cynthia Storer | UTEP   Pre-Order the book Jeff mentioned The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA - Kindle edition by Liza Mundy Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can giv...

Sex, Lies and Women at the CIA

August 25, 2023 09:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MB

Jeff talks with CIA operations veteran Laura Thomas about the gains and losses for women at the spy agency. Follow Laura Thomas On Twitter - Laura Thomas (@laurae_thomas)  Substack The Action Line Read Laura’s piece Espionage is a Man's World - by Laura Thomas Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feed...

A CIA Family Drama

August 11, 2023 13:56 - 39 minutes - 36 MB

Jeff talks with John Hadden, author of “Conversations with a Masked Man: My Father, the CIA, and Me."   https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short     Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to S...

Oppenheimer’s Origin

July 28, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MB

Jeff Stein talks with Kai Bird, co-author of “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.” Follow Kai Bird https://twitter.com/Kaibird123 “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” https://www.kaibird.com/book/book_details/1 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http...

CIA-CHINA SPY WARS: Real and Imagined

July 13, 2023 12:30 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MB

David Ignatius talks about his new thriller “The Tao of Deception.” Follow David Ignatius https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPost Read “The Tao of Deception” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/tao-of-deception-david-ignatius/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?...

CIA’s RUSSIA CHALLENGE

June 30, 2023 00:45 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

Jeff talks with top former CIA Russia hand John Sipher about spy agency ops and Moscow’s leadership crisis.   Follow John Sipher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/john_sipher   Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https...

The Forever Spies

June 02, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MB

Jeff talks with Calder Walton, author of “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West.” Calder Walton https://twitter.com/calder_walton Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West https://www.amazon.com/Spies-Epic-Intelligence-Between-East-ebook/dp/B0BHTMFTLS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2MI0 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our ...

The Senator Who Roped the CIA

May 17, 2023 21:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

Journalist James Risen speaks with Jeff Stein about his new book on Sen. Frank Church’s unprecedented investigation of CIA misdeeds, from assassination plots to LSD mind-control experiments to spying on Americans.  James Risen https://twitter.com/JamesRisen1 The Last Honest Man https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/james-risen/the-last-honest-man-senator/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscrib...

Behind the Bust of China’s Brash New York Spy Base

April 20, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MB

Former CIA and DoD Chinese espionage expert Nicholas Eftimiades talks with Jeff about Beijing’s newly aggressive covert campaigns against pro-democracy activists in the US. Nick Eftimiades https://twitter.com/neftimiades https://www.linkedin.com/in/eftimiades/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com...

That Monster Leak

April 14, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

Legendary retired CIA officer Jim Lawler talks with Jeff about the massive leak of highly classified Pentagon documents.  Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: htt...

JITTERS: Can FBI Stop Extremist Violence This Time?

April 04, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

Law enforcement and extremist reporter Ali Winston says the FBI is getting better, but radicals are metastasizing. Ali Winston https://twitter.com/awinston Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTal...

Ukraine Air War Heats Up

March 17, 2023 19:21 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MB

David Cenciotti, founding editor of The Aviationist, speaks with SpyTalk about the collision of a Russian warplane and a US MQ-9 reconnaissance drone and news that Poland is transferring four MiG-29s to Ukraine.  Our Guest: David Cenciotti https://twitter.com/cencio4 The Aviationist https://twitter.com/TheAviationist https://theaviationist.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk o...

Intelligence Tricks, from Covert to Overt Covert Ops

February 25, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MB

Political scientist, author, and senior aide to the chair of the Church Committee Loch Johnson joins Jeff to talk about oversight of intel agencies; the political weaponization of intel; and more. Loch Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Third-Option-Covert-American-Foreign/dp/0197604412/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1677258335&refinements=p_27%3ALoch+K.+Johnson&s=books&sr=1-2 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to ...

YET ANOTHER SPY AGENCY SECURITY BREECH

February 03, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MB

The McGonigal scandal is just another chapter in a pathetic history of outrageous security lapses at the FBI, CIA and NSA, says investigative reporter James Bamford, author of SPYFAIL: Foreign Spies, Moles, Saboteurs, and the Collapse of America’s Counterintelligence.  Follow our guest: James Bamford https://mobile.twitter.com/washauthor Spy Fail https://www.amazon.com/Spyfail-Saboteurs-Collapse-Americas-Counterintelligence/dp/1538741156/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=167389094...

Are Spies Sociopaths?

January 20, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

Former top CIA officer James Lawler says the manipulation practiced by agent handlers could be described as sociopathic. We talk about that and his latest thriller. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

THE BORDER: INSECURITY AND INTEL

September 08, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

In part two of his interview with SpyTalk former DHS "border czar" Alan Bersin discusses with Jeanne Meserve obstacles to securing the southern border against human smugglers and traffickers. Alan Bersin https://twitter.com/AlanBersin https://twitter.com/TheWilsonCenter https://twitter.com/BelferCenter Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jeannemeserve.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twit...

DATA AND THE DRUG WAR

September 01, 2022 09:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MB

Former DHS "border czar" @AlanBersin talks with @JeanneMeserve about how poor intelligence sharing is hampering the fight against transnational criminal organizations, and how new technologies could help conquer the problem.  Follow Alan Bersin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanBersin Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jeannemeserve.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitt...

The Threat Matrix

August 25, 2022 09:00 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB

In the aftermath of the Salman Rushdie attack Colin Clarke of the Soufan Group gives his assessment of Iran's capability to strike within the US. Jeanne Meserve also talks with FBI veteran J.J. Klaver about the impact ongoing attacks may be having on the bureau and its work.   Colin Clarke https://twitter.com/ColinPClarke https://twitter.com/TheSoufanGroup J.J. Klaver https://mobile.twitter.com/FBI Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jeann...

Rage on the Right

August 18, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MB

Expert analysis of the online and real life fallout from the Mar-a-Lago search with Heidi Beirich of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. And Rita Katz of the SITE Intelligence Group tells Jeanne Meserve the internet has rewritten the terrorist playbook for both domestic extremists and jihadis.  Follow our Guests on Twitter: Heidi Beirich https://twitter.com/heidibeirich https://twitter.com/globalextremism Rita Katz https://mobile.twitter.com/Rita_Katz https://twitter.com/si...

Eyes in the Sky and on the Ground

August 11, 2022 09:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MB

How will a new Iranian spy satellite change dynamics in the Middle East? Jeanne Meserve discusses with Iran expert John Krzyzaniak of the Wisconsin Project for Nuclear Arms Control.  And Jill Dougherty, former CNN Moscow bureau chief, looks at how Russia's clampdown on information is impacting intelligence agencies. Follow our Guests on Twitter: John Krzyzaniak https://twitter.com/john_krzyzaniak https://twitter.com/WisconsinProj Jill Dougherty https://mobile.twitter.com/jillrussia/ h...

Getting the Bout

August 04, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MB

With a possible prisoner swap in the offing, SpyTalk explores the suspected intelligence ties of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout with Stephen Braun, co-author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible.  Jeanne also talks with journalist Jill Dougherty, who met Bout face to face. Follow our Guest on Twitter: Stephen Braun Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1033695.Merchant_of...

Internal Upheaval in Ukraine

July 28, 2022 09:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB

Are Russian collaborators undermining Ukraine's war effort?  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked two top officials who he says failed to root out Russian sympathizers and spies within their agencies.  Jeanne discusses the problem and its impact with Olga Lautman, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and co-host of the Kremlin File podcast. Follow our Guest on Twitter: Olga Lautman https://twitter.com/OlgaNYC1211 Kremlin File podcast https://twitter.com/...

Trust and Theft

July 21, 2022 12:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

John Taylor, co-author of The Psychology of Spies and Spying, tells Jeanne Meserve how important trust is in a profession that is all about treachery and deceit. August Cole of the Atlantic Council talks to Jeff Stein about China’s theft of military technology. Guests: John Taylor - The Psychology of Spies and Spying https://www.afandjt.com/ August Cole -  https://twitter.com/august_cole https://www.augustcole.com/ Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve ...

Neo-Nazi Spy; Blindspots in Space

July 14, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

The USA and China are in a new space race. Astrophysicist at Rhea Space Activity, Shawn Usman, talks about securing cislunar space with Jeanne Meserve.   Leigh Baldwin co-wrote “Follow The Leader” in The Atavist which tells the tale of a German Neo-Nazi spy who worked for Putin. Jeff Stein talks with him about the piece. Guests: Leigh Baldwin - https://twitter.com/LeighBa1 Read “Follow the Leader” -  https://magazine.atavist.com/follow-the-leader-nazi-putin-sonntag-cold-war/ Shawn Usm...

Shape Changes: Right-Wing Extremists and the US-Russia Cold War (originally aired 1/6/2022)

July 08, 2022 12:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MB

Originally released on January 6, 2022 This week: Jeanne Meserve talks with the Atlantic Council’s Jared Holt about the evolving face of right-wing extremism. Joe Weisberg, creator of the hit spy drama “The Americans,” defends his argument on ending the Cold War with Russia with Jeff Stein. Jared Holt https://twitter.com/jaredlholt https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/jared-holt/ Joe Weisberg https://twitter.com/joeweisberg https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/17/russia-un...

Best Estimates and Underground Nukes

June 30, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB

Former CIA intelligence analyst Gail Helt discusses US intelligence strengths and weaknesses with Jeff Stein. Deputy Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Matthew Kroenig talks about North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and ambitions with Jeanne Meserve Guests: Matthew Kroenig twitter.com/MatthewKroenig The Atlantic Council twitter.com/AtlanticCouncil Gail Helt https://twitter.com/ghelt Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jea...

Of Spies and Dirty Wars

June 23, 2022 09:00 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MB

Former Deputy CIA Director John McLaughlin and Jeanne Meserve discuss the case of a deep cover Russian spy rolled up in Holland. Mossad’s war on Iran gets scrutinized by Middle East expert Jonathan Broder and Jeff Stein.  Guests: Jonathan Broder twitter.com/BroderJonathan John McLaughlin https://twitter.com/jmclaughlinSAIS Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jeannemeserve.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker F...

“Broken”

June 16, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

Former top CIA, Pentagon, and State Department intelligence official Carl Ford tells Jeff Stein US intelligence is “broken.” Domestic extremism expert Jon Lewis discusses the uptick in white supremacist violence with Jeanne Meserve Guests: Carl Ford twitter.com/CarlWFord1 The Footnote https://fordc.substack.com/ Jon Lewis  https://twitter.com/Jon_Lewis27 The Program on Extremism at George Washington University https://twitter.com/gwupoe Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://tw...

Behind the Masks

June 09, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MB

Is Putin really sick? Former CIA medical officer Leslie Pyenson assesses signs of Putin’s failing health with Jeanne Meserve, and author Jefferson Morley discusses his new book, Scorpions’ Dance: The President, the Spymaster, and Watergate, with Jeff Stein. Guests: Leslie Pyenson Jefferson Morley https://twitter.com/jeffersonmorley Follow Jeanne Meserve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanneMeserve https://www.jeannemeserve.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyT...

Afghanistan Relations; Domestic Terrorism

June 02, 2022 09:10 - 51 minutes - 47 MB

Former President of the FBI Agents Association and retired FBI Special Agent, Tom O’Connor talks about the need for a domestic terrorism law in the United States. Also, political scientist at Rand, Andrew Radin discusses options the US has with future relations with Afghanistan. With Jeff Stein and Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Tom O'Connor https://twitter.com/tfoconnor83 Andrew Radin https://twitter.com/andrewmradin https://twitter.com/RANDCorporation Read the Report Andrew Co-authored:  ...

Treachery

May 26, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MB

Former CIA officer Robert Baer talks about the CIA’s unresolved search for another Russian mole in its ranks, while diplomatic historian Kelly McFarland addresses the ramifications of Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian wheat exports. With Jeff Stein and Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Robert Baer Robert Baer: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks Kelly McFarland https://twitter.com/McFarlandKellyM Sound Off - Supporting Veterans on Their Terms https://sound-off.com/ https://twitter.com/Soundoff Su...

Going Mental

May 19, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MB

Cult expert Steven Hassan talks with Jeanne Meserve about deprogramming racist murderers and ex-CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos tells Jeff Stein about a new mobile app to reduce suicides among counterterrorism veterans. Guests: Steven Hassan, PhD https://twitter.com/CultExpert Marc Polymeropoulos https://twitter.com/Mpolymer Sound Off - Supporting Veterans on Their Terms https://sound-off.com/ Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http:...

Revelations

May 12, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MB

Newly declassified FBI and UK documents on Saudi intrigues in the 9/11 attacks are discussed by former FBI Supervisory Agent Mark Rossini, and reporter Haley Britzky talks about her exposé of brutal harassment at the Marine Corps Intelligence School. With Jeff Stein and Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Haley Britzky https://twitter.com/halbritz Mark Rossini https://twitter.com/MarkRossini Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac...

Deep Dive

May 05, 2022 09:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

Christopher Drew, author of the definitive book on submarine espionage past and present, talks with Jeff Stein. And we dig into the new bestseller The Bin Laden Papers with author and New America Senior Fellow Nelly Lahoud. Guests: Christopher Drew https://www.facebook.com/chris.drew.9250 https://twitter.com/nytdrew https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23829.Christopher_Drew Nelly Lahoud https://www.newamerica.org/our-people/nelly-lahoud/ https://yalebooks.co.uk/display.asp?K=978030...

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