Former senior CIA official Larry Pfeiffer discusses the DNI’s strange behavior with SpyTalk hosts Jeff Stein, Michael Isikoff and Karen Greenberg. Larry Pfeiffer | https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrypfeiffer/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 13, 2026•50 min
How A.I. is revolutionizing the spies’—and spy catchers’—toolkits. With ex-CIA officer Aaron Brown. Aaron Brown | https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-brown-lumbra/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 05, 2026•51 min
ISIS and other Afghan-based terror groups are growing stronger, a new UN report says. Expert Colin Clarke explains why. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https...
Jan 31, 2026•43 min
Former senior Danish intelligence officer Jacob Kaarsbo talks about Trump’s murky designs on Greenland and NATO. https://jacobkaarsbo.substack.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jan 23, 2026•45 min
Two prominent Iranian-American journalists, Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post and Hooman Majd of NBC News, say the regime may be losing its grip. Jason Rezaian https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jason-rezaian/ Hooman Majd https://www.hoomanmajd.com/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy S...
Jan 16, 2026•51 min•Ep. 192
CIA in Venezuela, Cuba and Beyond With Luis Rueda https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-rueda-b060a217/ and Peter Eisner https://substack.com/@petereisner Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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 fee...
Jan 09, 2026•40 min•Ep. 191
Christine Kuehn talks about her shocking discovery in “Family of Spies" Family of Spies https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250344465/familyofspies / Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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...
Jan 02, 2026•44 min•Ep. 190
Tom Blanton talks about 40 years of unearthing CIA plots at the National Security Archive. https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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...
Dec 19, 2025•53 min•Ep. 189
Top former national security official Josh Geltzer separates fake from real threats. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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=BffJOlI7...
Dec 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 188
Ace investigative reporter Carol Leonnig talks about her latest scoop and new book on Trump’s DoJ, “ Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department. ” Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener surve...
Dec 06, 2025•58 min•Ep. 187
Investigative reporter Ron Kessler and retired former senior CIA officer John Sipher on the GOP plan to give Tulsi Gabbard control of neutralizing spies and terrorists. John Sipher https://www.thecipherbrief.com/ Risking a National Security Disaster by Ronald Kessler https://www.spytalk.co/p/risking-a-national-security-disaster Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twi...
Nov 26, 2025•47 min•Ep. 186
Top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed calls Trump threats “off the wall...” Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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 ...
Nov 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 185
Intelligence historians James Risen and Peter Kornbluh on Trump policies and Cold War excesses. More from James Risen https://www.theguardian.com/profile/james-risen More from Peter Kornbluh https://www.democracynow.org/2025/11/7/gunboat_diplomacy Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe...
Nov 14, 2025•49 min•Ep. 184
Veteran war reporter and Latin America expert Doug Farah throws cold water on Trump’s campaign against Nicholas Maduro. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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.c...
Nov 07, 2025•50 min•Ep. 183
After spending years tracking Al Qaeda, former analyst Gina Bennett talks to SpyTalk about her storied career, her new spy novel and the rising threat of "politicized misogyny." Gina Bennett If Two of Them Are Dead Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://w...
Oct 31, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 182
Ken Vogel talks about his new book, Devils’ Advocates: The Hidden Story of Rudy Giuliani, Hunter Biden, and the Washington Insiders on the Payrolls of Corrupt Foreign Interests. Follow Ken Vogel on Twitter https://x.com/kenvogel Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Subs...
Oct 24, 2025•50 min•Ep. 181
Former White House Situation Room Director Larry Pfeiffer Talks Fear and Facts with SpyTalk. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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=...
Oct 17, 2025•50 min•Ep. 180
In a new book the CNN anchor unspools the inside story of a unique terrorism case. Jake Tapper https://x.com/jaketapper Race Against Terror https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Race-Against-Terror/Jake-Tapper/9781668079447 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack...
Oct 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 179
The acclaimed spy thriller author and ex-CIA analyst talks about his new novel, “ The Persians ,” set in the clandestine war between Israel and Iran. DAVID MCCLOSKEY Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where you...
Oct 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 178
John Ryan and his gripping tale of yet more Guantanamo secrets. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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 Ho...
Sep 26, 2025•41 min•Ep. 177
Two British journalists find fresh evidence implicating a key Saudi suspect who escaped U.S. justice. Liz Harris https://lizharris.journoportfolio.com/ https://x.com/lizharris72 Amardeep Bassey Amardeep Bassey’s Profile | Freelance Journalist | Muck Rack The article: Revealed after 24 years, how UK was forced to free 9/11 ‘plotter’ The podcast: The Story | The Times and The Sunday Times Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/Ka...
Sep 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 176
Wall Street Journal reporters Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson talk about their new book “Swap” on the SpyTalk podcast. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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...
Sep 12, 2025•52 min•Ep. 175
24 years after his father’s assassination, anti-Taliban leader Ahmad Massoud vows stepped up resistance to the Kabul regime. But Jon Lee Anderson of the New Yorker sees little path for success. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take o...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 174
"King of Kings" author Scott Anderson describes how feckless US officials helped usher in the Iranian revolution. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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/sta...
Sep 05, 2025•54 min•Ep. 172
DNI ignored Jim Himes until he warned her on Section 702 Renewal. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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 ...
Aug 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 171
A veteran diplomat dissects Trump's failure to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Former Ambassador Daniel Fried, who spent years dealing with Putin's Russia, says it's time for Trump to "stare down" the dictator. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack...
Aug 22, 2025•43 min•Ep. 170
Former top unit lawyer Tom Brzozowski provides SpyTalk with exclusive details. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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...
Aug 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 169
The secret deal that temporarily suspended the Cold War is revisited by Foreign Policy Executive Editor Dan Ephron and SpyTalk host Michael Isikoff Dan Ephron Spy: The U.S., Cuba, and the Secret Deal That Ended the Cold War Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack ...
Aug 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 168
Former top NSA, CIA & ODNI official Larry Pfeiffer discusses Tulsi Gabbard’s attacks on CIA handling of Russia election report with hosts Jeff Stein and Michael Isikoff Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey wh...
Aug 01, 2025•52 min•Ep. 167
Special Agent Mike Feinberg tells how he was forced out in Kash Patel’s wholesale purge of FBI officials suspected of disloyalty to Trump. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff 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...
Jul 24, 2025•55 min•Ep. 166