Hugh Wilford

Hugh Wilford, a history professor at California State University, Long Beach and author of 'The Mighty Wurlitzer', discusses the enigmatic CIA. He dives into its origins and controversial operations like the 1953 Iran coup and Operation Chaos, revealing the agency's quirky infiltration into peace movements. The conversation also tackles the CIA's successes and failures in intelligence work, its complex legacy in global politics, and its intriguing role in shaping popular culture, blending insightful analysis with moments of humor.

Hugh Wilford, a history professor at California State University, Long Beach, and author of 'The CIA: An Imperial History', dives deep into the CIA's multifaceted legacy. They discuss figures like Edward Lansdale and his counterinsurgency tactics, highlighting the tension between noble intentions and violence. The conversation covers the agency's surprising role in modernist art as a counter to Soviet influence, and how the War on Terror has reshaped the CIA’s strategies. Wilford also examines the agency's complex narrative strategies and the unintended consequences of its cultural policies.