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 on Substack https...
Mar 17, 2023•31 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast 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 SpyTalk on ...
Feb 25, 2023•39 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast 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=1673890947&sr=8-1 ...
Feb 03, 2023•42 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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-sur...
Jan 20, 2023•37 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Twitter: https://tw...
Sep 08, 2022•25 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast 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://twitter.com/talk_sp...
Sep 01, 2022•34 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast 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.jeannemeserve.com/ F...
Aug 25, 2022•38 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast 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/siteintelgroup...
Aug 18, 2022•50 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast 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/ https://twitt...
Aug 11, 2022•34 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast 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_Death J...
Aug 04, 2022•35 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast 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/Kremlinfile...
Jul 28, 2022•18 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast 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 https://www.je...
Jul 21, 2022•43 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Usman - https://w...
Jul 14, 2022•53 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast 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-united-states...
Jul 08, 2022•54 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast 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.jeannemeserve.com...
Jun 30, 2022•47 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Follow SpyTalk on...
Jun 23, 2022•41 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast 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://twitter.com/Jeanne...
Jun 16, 2022•49 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast 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/SpyTalker Follow...
Jun 09, 2022•55 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast 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: “Engage, Isol...
Jun 02, 2022•51 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Subscribe to Sp...
May 26, 2022•46 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast 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://survey.podtra...
May 19, 2022•54 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast 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.com/start-su...
May 12, 2022•53 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast 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=9780300260632 Subs...
May 05, 2022•51 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Robert Cardillo, former head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, talks anti-satellite warfare and Oval Office briefings, while China’s stealth move into the Solomon Islands is analyzed by The Soufan Group’s Mollie Saltskog. With Jeanne Meserve and Jeff Stein. Guests: Robert Cardillo https://twitter.com/cardillogroup Mollie Saltskog https://twitter.com/msaltskog https://twitter.com/TheSoufanGroup https://twitter.com/TheSoufanCenter Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk....
Apr 28, 2022•45 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast Robert Cardillo, former head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, discusses the role of spy satellites in Ukraine and how images can be spoofed, while investigative reporter and author Scott Anderson dissects the differences between the old Cold War with Russia and the emerging new one. With Jeanne Meserve and Jeff Stein. Guests: Robert Cardillo https://twitter.com/cardillogroup Scott Anderson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/633/scott-anderson/ Subscribe to SpyTalk on Subst...
Apr 21, 2022•57 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast Jeanne Meserve talks with retired Army Gen. Kevin Ryan about the Russian military’s chaos in Ukraine, while journalist Janet Reitman dissects the FBI’s mishaps in the Michigan Wolverine Watchmen trial with Jeff Stein. Guests: Brigadier General Kevin Ryan (U.S. Army retired) https://twitter.com/Kennedy_School https://twitter.com/BelferCenter Janet Reitman, Journalist Covering National Security and Extremism https://twitter.com/janetreitman https://twitter.com/NewAmerica Subscribe to SpyTalk on Su...
Apr 14, 2022•57 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast Intelligence historian Tim Weiner talks with Jeff Stein about CIA ops against Russia from the Cold War onward, and Chinese espionage expert Nick Eftimiades discusses Beijing’s covert campaigns against US-based dissidents with Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Tim Weiner https://twitter.com/Folly_and_Glory Nicholas Eftimiades: https://twitter.com/neftimiades https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/nicholas-eftimiades/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&v...
Apr 07, 2022•51 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Veteran former CIA operations officer Lucy Kirk talks with Jeff Stein about changes in the spy game since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and leading extremism scholar Daveed Gartenstein-Ross goes deep on Ukraine’s neo-Nazi problem with Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross https://twitter.com/daveedgr https://valensglobal.com/ Lucy Kirk: https://twitter.com/Decktora https://www.lucykirkauthor.com/ Take our listener survey: http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&v...
Mar 31, 2022•44 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast Former Navy electronic warfare expert Bryan Clark talks about techniques the US can use to spoof Russian troops, and Adam M. Smith, who focused on sanctions in the Obama administration, details the challenges of separating oligarchs from their hidden stashes. With cohosts Jeff Stein and Jeanne Meserve. Guests: Bryan Clark: https://twitter.com/HudsonInstitute Adam M. Smith Former Senior Advisor to the Director of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) https://www.g...
Mar 24, 2022•57 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Former CIA officer and former head of Department of Energy intelligence Rolf Mowatt-Larssen assesses the risks in Vladimir Putin's takeover of Ukraine's nuclear power stations in a conversation with Jeanne Meserve. And Lawrence Wilkerson, retired US Army Colonel and former chief of staff to General Colin Powell, tells Jeff Stein that this brutal war is Putin's attempt to secure a revered place in Russian history. Guests: Rolf Mowatt-Larssen: https://www.belfercenter.org/person/rolf-mowatt-larsse...
Mar 17, 2022•43 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast 
