#356 - CIA Spy on Nuclear War, Vault 7 Tech, Mossad in Iran & Death Rituals | John Kiriakou

Nov 18, 2025

John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and expert on counterterrorism, shares thrilling insights from his intelligence career. He delves into the complexities of Middle Eastern politics, discussing surveillance tactics and the dangers of mass data collection. With a focus on Iran-Israel tensions and the geopolitics surrounding nuclear threats, Kiriakou explores the broader implications of recent conflicts. He also discusses the societal impacts of elite wealth and the ethics of privatized intelligence, making for a thought-provoking conversation.

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INSIGHT

Surveillance And Metadata Threaten Civil Liberties

John Kiriakou warns that mass metadata collection and private companies like Palantir create near‑total surveillance risks for Americans.
He notes Utah facilities storing every call, text, and email threaten civil liberties and marketize metadata.

ANECDOTE

New Analyst Quit After Facing Middle East Complexity

John recounts mentoring a junior analyst who quit after realizing the Middle East's nuance was too deep to master.
The woman left CIA analysis to become a real estate agent rather than wrestle with regional complexity.

INSIGHT

Iran's Strategic Patience And Drone Lessons

Kiriakou explains Iran practiced "strategic patience" after Israeli strikes, responding gradually instead of immediate escalation.
Early drone attempts mostly failed, revealing limits of defenses like Iron Dome against slow drones.

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(***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ John Kiriakou is a former CIA spy who was the agency's chief of counterterrorism in the Middle East prior to being prosecuted by the DOJ.

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****TIMESTAMPS**** 0:00 — Intro 02:25 — John’s Pardon? Iran Troops, Greater Tunb, Middle East Complexity, Israel Intelligence 15:30 — Intelligence, Cell Phone Tracking, B0mbing Iran, Obama v Netanyahu, South African Nukes 26:41 — The “Peace Deal” Ceasefire, Israeli Gov, Palestine, Kuwait 1990, Black September, Egypt 40:15 — Abraham Accords, MBS, King Abdullah II, Gaza, Palestinian-Israeli Future 52:08 — Christian Zionists, Evangelical Influence, Gaza Christians, Rising U.S. Anti-Semitism 01:00:50 — Tucker Issue, Israeli Schools & Antisemitism, Psy-Op Claims 01:09:52 — Rise of NF, Bot Campaigns on X, John’s Prison Years, John's Cemetery Guide 01:21:44 — Unofficial Graveyards, Saving the Declaration of Independence, Wonder Bread Origins 01:32:39 — Overseas Cemeteries, D3ath Rituals in Greece, Iran Pushed Into a Nuclear Corner 01:45:55 — French Espionage Kerfuffle, Elite French Intelligence, Post-9/11 Serial-Killer Mentality 01:54:40 — French Intel & MI6, Princess Diana’s D3ath, Nuclear Protocols, Soylent Green 02:07:14 — The Omega Man, John Meets Charlton Heston 02:09:04 — John Brennan, Forum Shopping in Courts, Biden Should’ve Pardoned Trump 02:21:34 — Attempted CIA Coup, Congress, Independent Thinkers, Saikat Chakrabarti 02:32:28 — People Jump to Conclusions, India vs Pakistan, Human Nature & Power 02:38:39 — Next-Level Operators After 9/11, Ethical Collapse, High-Level CIA Performance Pre-9/11 02:51:32 — Vault 7, CIA Remote Car Hacks, Smart TV Mics, Parallel Ops with NSA, Black Budget 02:57:38 — In-Q-Tel, Palantir, Civil Liberties Concerns, Classified Drone Base, Karp & Thiel, Abraxis 03:10:18 — Finding Money, Elon’s Shift, “Make Your Own Way,” John’s Kids Not Bound by His Past

CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/

Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 356 - John Kiriakou

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