SPYCRAFT 101

Today, Justin interviews educator and author Jonathan Gill on the riveting tale of Boris Morros. A refugee of the Bolshevik Revolution turned film producer in the Golden Age of Hollywood, Boris was a mysterious and remarkable man. While many details of his life are thought to be exaggerated and the absolute truth remains unclear, Boris led a unique and eventful life. He became a Soviet spy during the Cold War only to turn on the USSR and act as a double agent for the United States. Tune in for an episode full of twists and turns.Connect with Jonathan:Get the book, Hollywood Double Agent, here.https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Double-Agent-Morros-Producer/dp/1419747916#:~:text=OK-,Hollywood%20Double%20Agent%3A%20The%20True%20Tale%20of%20Boris%20Morros%2C%20Film,Spy%20Paperback%20%E2%80%93%20April%2013%2C%202021&text=Find%20all%20the%20books%2C%20read%20about%20the%20author%2C%20and%20more.Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonDownload the free eBook: The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice: here.https://spycraft101-400d7.gr8.com/Support the show

Today, Justin shares riveting stories about the  poisons and people that enabled several Soviet and Russian assassinations. From chemistry to radioactivity, learn about the way poison has captivated Russian power players since 1918.  Hear of poison-coated bullets, the dangers of cyanide, and why we don't really know how many died at the hands of these methods.Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonDownload the free eBook: The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice: here.https://spycraft101-400d7.gr8.com/Support the show

Today, Alexandra Costa shares the story of her defection from the Soviet Union. Also known as Yelena Mitrokhina, Alexandra was wife to the first secretary of the Russian Embassy in the US.  She discusses growing up in the USSR, the real dangers of defecting, and her treatment by both the FBI and the CIA. Ultimately, Alexandra chose a better future for herself and her children despite immense risk. From teaching Marxism to young communists to peacefully renouncing the Soviet Union and becoming and entrepreneur, her life story is full of twists and turns.Check out Alexandra's book, Stepping Down from the Star, here.https://www.amazon.com/Stepping-Down-Stars-Soviet-Defectors/dp/0399131957Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, Luis Moreno gives a firsthand account of his experiences in Nicaragua. A prominent figure among The Contras, Luis survived unbearable violence and horrible tragedy. He gives insight on the practice of guerilla warfare, the reality of resistance, and the atrocities of war. Beginning his career in Nicaragua's Guardia Nacional as an officer, Luis describes the events that led him to escape at the end of the 1979 revolution and provides personal details on darker aspects of the counter-revolution.Thanks to the Spycraft 101 podcast, Luis was able to reconnect with a friend from his Contras days who was with him when he was gravely injured, losing his arm.See photos of Nicaraguan military history, including the counterrevolution: Alberto D Garcia (Nicaragua Historia En Fotos) on FacebookConnect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, Justin chats with former BBC senior reporter and producer, and now author, Trevor Barnes on the details of the Portland Spy Ring. This rare case involves stolen identities, money-hungry traitors, and more. When MI5 first discovered evidence and documents linking a Canadian man to espionage activities, they couldn't have expected what was to come. A combination of legal agents working via the embassy and illegal dead doubles, this complex KGB tale is more twisted than fiction.Connect with Trevor:Twitter: @trevorwbarnesCheck out Trevor's book, Dead Doubles, here.https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Doubles-Extraordinary-Worldwide-Notorious/dp/0062856995Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, prolific journalist Daniel Golden dives into espionage recruitment at universities around the world. Faculty, staff, and students alike are often approached by covert operators from both sides of a conflict or interest, particularly international students. Another key group includes professors and adjuncts who, while American citizens, may be immigrants or otherwise have ties to countries of interest. Dan relates a specific story regarding a Chinese-American professor in Florida who was approached the FBI and told he could be fired for some previous transgressions, or retain his position and his tenure if he chose to be an FBI informant.Connect with Daniel:Check out his book, Spy Schools, here.https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Schools-Intelligence-Secretly-Universities/dp/1627796355Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

In this solo episode, Justin dives into the story of three CIA men who survived against the odds in Havana, Cuba. As service technicians, their role was to set up surveillance equipment to monitor Castro's Cuba.  The situation quickly turned sour,  but all three agents stood their ground for almost three years before returning home without compromising their identities or the agency.Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, prolific author and journalist Tim Tate shares the story of Polish Intelligence Officer Michael Goleniewski. A figure in James Angleton's complicated time with the CIA, Goleniewski was an expert counterintelligence agent who identified over a thousand Soviet Bloc spies across Europe and provided their details to the CIA and MI5. His complex story takes a rather interesting turn towards the end of his career when he claims to be the long-lost heir to Russia's final Czars, Alexei Romanov. What began as a play to claim the mythical Romanov fortune ends in true madness as Goleniewski becomes convinced that he really IS Alexei.Connect with Tim:timtate.co.ukTwitter: @TimTateBooksCheck out Tim's book, Agent Sniper, here.https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Sniper-Super-Ruthless-Despised/dp/1250274664Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, author and scholar Brian McKnight delves into Chinese treatment of American prisoners of war during in Korea. Following the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1954, 23 American POWs refused repatriation to the United States. McKnight delves into what made them want to live in China--namely mandatory communist indoctrination while they were kept prisoner. By playing upon the reality of inequities these men faced while living in poverty under capitalism, Chinese soldiers were able to convince many the alleged upward mobility afforded by communism was reason enough not to return home. Check out Brian's book, We Fight For Peace, here.https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Peace-Twenty-Three-Prisoners-Turncoats/dp/B06XFY3TQL/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1639608099&refinements=p_27%3ABrian+McKnight&s=books&sr=1-1Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show

Today, journalist, author, and expert Jefferson Morley shares unique details on the life and career of one of of the most controversial CIA figures: James Angleton. Angleton was the CIA'S chief of counterintelligence for two decades, from 1954 to 1974. He's known for his unique connections to the Italian elite post World War II, his close relationship with Israel, and his obsession over a potential mole within the CIA. Angleton was a brilliant and complicated man, but at times his paranoia seemed to get the best of him.Connect with Jefferson:jeffersonmorley.comdeepstateblog.orgTwitter: @jeffersonmorleyBuy his book on Angleton, The Ghost, here.Connect with Spycraft 101:IG: @spycraft101Patreon: Spycraft 101Buy the book: here on AmazonSupport the show