In this conversation, former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos shares gripping insights on the recent German Christmas market attack, exploring both ISIS and far-right motives. He joins military veterans Andy Milburn and Mick Mulroy to discuss U.S. engagement with Syrian factions, emphasizing the nuances of foreign policy in complex regions. They also delve into the emotional toll of military partnerships and the significance of veteran voices in shaping defense strategy, all while touching on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.

Join Mick Mulroy, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Marc Polymeropoulos, a decorated CIA officer, as they dissect Israel's groundbreaking pager attack on Hezbollah operatives. They dive into the strategic innovations behind the covert operation and its implications for future military actions. The duo also reflects on intelligence failures leading up to October 7th, the delicate balance between military responses, and the complexities surrounding ceasefires in the region. Their insights reveal the intricate dynamics between intelligence, security, and geopolitical stability.

Join former CIA officer Mark Polymeropoulos and Charles Lister from the Middle East Institute as they dissect the intense geopolitical maneuvering in Syria. They discuss how Iran, Turkey, Russia, and Israel are all vying for influence while Syria's future hangs precariously. The guests delve into the evolving U.S. engagement and past policy mistakes, highlight the resurgence of ISIS, and explore the shifting alliances around Kurdish forces. Their insights on this 'great game' reveal a complex web of interests that could shape the region for years to come.

Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer, and Kim Ghattas, a seasoned Middle Eastern politics expert, delve into the shocking pager explosions in Beirut attributed to Israeli intelligence. They discuss the immediate regional fallout and civilian impact, while highlighting how these events might influence U.S. politics, particularly for Kamala Harris. The conversation also touches on the internal conflicts within the Democratic Party over foreign policy, the implications for U.S.-Israel relations, and the challenges posed by the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Guests Liz Gilbert Cohen, President of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and Marc Polymeropoulos, Former CIA Official, discuss rising antisemitism, Biden's stance on Israel, Iran's role in the Israel-Hamas war, and the shadow primary for the Democratic nominee.

Guests include Avi Mayer, Marc Polymeropoulos, Anne Applebaum, and Danny Ayalon. Topics discussed: President Biden's comparison of Hamas to ISIS, ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, challenges to modern laws of war and human rights by Hamas, Russia's war crimes, the deterioration of the rules-based world order, and updates on the situation in Gaza Strip and Hamas rocket attacks.

Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and attorney Mark Zaid discuss their personal experiences with Havana Syndrome, government responses, and support for victims. They explore the origins of the mystery illness, potential Russian involvement, and challenges faced by the Department of Defense. The podcast delves into validation for victims, challenges in prevention, and the enigmatic world of nightlife whales and gambling.

Cult expert Steven Hassan and ex-CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos discuss deprogramming racist murderers and a new mobile app to reduce suicides among counterterrorism veterans. Topics include online radicalization, personal involvement in a moon cult, impact of technology on young people, breaking free from cults and conspiracy theories, belief in replacement theory, oversight of CIA medical services, and mental health and reporting on news.

Marc Polymeropoulos served for 26 years in the CIA. He joined the agency working on Afghanistan in the 1990s and moved on to operational roles across the Middle East, recruiting spies and hunting terrorists. Later, he became a senior officer responsible for operations in Russia, which as you'll hear, led to a fateful trip to Moscow that altered the course of his career and his life. Marc has chronicled all of this and more in a new book, “Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA.” It's part memoir, part management handbook. Shane Harris sat down with Marc to talk about his career and to look back at the past 20 years since the 9/11 attacks. Marc talked about what the CIA got right, what it did wrong and how he has come to peace with an unexpected sense of betrayal after he developed symptoms of Havana Syndrome, a mysterious and debilitating brain injury. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CIA veteran and Middle East expert Marc Polymeropoulos talks about the shift away from regional expertise in the CIA and the importance of specialists. He laments the passing of Charlie Seidel, the CIA's 'last great Arabist.' The podcast also discusses the consequences of the US invasion of Iraq, the rising presence of ISIS in Africa, and the need to prioritize expertise and relationships in intelligence gathering.