
Part Of The Problem John Kiriakou
29 snips
Dec 4, 2025 In a riveting discussion, John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and whistleblower, delves into the dark realities of U.S. torture practices post-9/11. He highlights the hypocrisy of labeling combatants in the Israel-Palestine conflict, critiques intelligence operations that undercut human rights advocacy, and reflects on the corporate influences behind U.S. foreign policy. Kiriakou also shares insights into the complexities of the deep state and the consequences of political tribalism. His candid perspective sheds light on the lasting impact of intelligence decisions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Whistleblowers Face Prosecution
- John Kiriakou says he went to jail for exposing the CIA torture program and frames whistleblowers as the ones punished.
- He compares this pattern to Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange as examples of exposers facing prosecution.
Hypocrisy Erodes U.S. Moral Authority
- Kiriakou argues hypocrisy undermines U.S. moral authority when it condemns others but tolerates abuses.
- He stresses both parties share guilt, so consistency in human rights matters more than partisanship.
Human Rights Officer Vs. CIA Cash
- Kiriakou recounts his State Department human rights role in Bahrain and the clash with CIA cash-for-torture influence.
- He describes embassies pressured to ignore abuses when intelligence cash incentivizes secret torture chambers.






