Reality Check with Ross Coulthart Former Whistleblower CIA Operative details his UAP encounter: What else is the CIA hiding?
Jan 13, 2026
Join John Kiriakou, a former CIA counter-terrorism officer and whistleblower, as he reveals gripping insights from his experiences in intelligence. He discusses the legality and strategy behind capturing Nicolás Maduro, weighing its geopolitical implications. Kiriakou also reflects on the failures of torture during interrogations, emphasizing the effectiveness of rapport over coercion. Additionally, he shares his childhood fascination with UAPs, questioning what secrets the CIA might still be concealing and urging potential whistleblowers to come forward with caution.
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U.S. Law Enables Covert Renditions
- Kiriakou notes a 1985 U.S. law permits cross-border snatch-and-grab renditions even if they violate international law.
- He argues such operations can be legally complex yet politically and strategically effective.
Early Personal UAP Sighting
- John Kiriakou saw an orange trapezoid UFO hover and accelerate beyond known physics while driving with his father in Amish country as a teenager.
- He kept the sighting secret for years but says it shaped his curiosity about UAPs.
Compartmentalization Enables Deep Secrecy
- Kiriakou argues CIA compartmentalization can keep even world-shaking secrets tightly controlled.
- He explains top-secret compartments can limit access to a handful of people and report only to the president.
