In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan speak with retired CIA Officer Marc Polymeropoulos on the Afghanistan withdrawal, his personal experience with the mysterious Havana Syndrome, and his new book Clarity in Crisis. Marc, who served as the Head of Clandestine Operations in Europe and Eurasia, discusses the need for the United States to get its local allies out of Afghanistan and the future of counterterrorism strategy without certain intelligence capabilities on the ground. Marc criticizes both the Trump and Biden Administration for their actions in the waning days of the Afghanistan War and outlines what they could've done differently. Marc goes on to discuss a bit about his career in the CIA, and details his painful experience with the Havana Syndrome, which he contracted in Moscow, Russia, and that ultimately led to his retirement from the CIA. Lastly, A'ndre and Ryan talk to Marc about his new book, Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA, sketching out a unique leadership style honed from principles garnered through his service in the CIA.
The Burn Bag Podcast