#7080
Mentioned in 4 episodes

Damascus Station

Book • 2021
Damascus Station is a gritty and realistic espionage novel written by former CIA analyst David McCloskey.

The story takes place in the midst of the Syrian Civil War and follows CIA case officer Sam Joseph, who is tasked with recruiting Mariam Haddad, a disaffected government official.

Despite breaking protocol by falling in love with Mariam, Sam must navigate the complex and dangerous landscape of Syria, where paranoia, corruption, and civil war are rampant.

The novel incorporates real-life events and detailed descriptions of spy craft, providing a nuanced portrayal of the characters and the geopolitical context.

It explores themes of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of one of the most challenging CIA assignments.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 4 episodes

Mentioned by
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Rory Stewart
as a realistic spy story set in Damascus.
224 snips
372. Syria, al-Sharaa, and the future of the Middle East
Mentioned by
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Rory Stewart
as an extraordinary novel based on the author’s experience in the CIA working in Damascus.
97 snips
348. Syria, Afghanistan, and The Rest Is Classified
Mentioned by
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Gordon Corera
as the source of a quote about Bashar al-Assad.
48 snips
6. The Real Godfather: Assad’s Syrian Mafia (Ep 1)
Mentioned by
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Tom Tugendhat
after meeting him at a dinner with spy writers; Tugendhat noted the book's accurate portrayal of Damascus.
"We Stand with Free People" — U.K. Security & Strategy with Tom Tugendhat
Mentioned by Andre as a fantastic new book written by a former CIA analyst.
"Damascus Station": Former CIA Analyst David McCloskey on his Spy Novel set in Syria's Civil War
Mentioned by
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Jack Murphy
as one of the author's previous novels.
Former CIA Analyst on Counterintelligence | David McCloskey | Ep. 305
Recommended by
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Chris Carr
as one of the best spy novels he has read.
S6 Ep13: Syria, CIA & Damascus Station with David McCloskey

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