SpyTalk

Former President of the FBI Agents Association, Tom O'Connor, discusses the need for a domestic terrorism law in the United States. Political scientist at Rand, Andrew Radin, talks about options for future relations with Afghanistan, addressing the challenges faced by the country and the policy options for the United States.

Former CIA officer talks about the search for a Russian mole within the CIA, while a diplomatic historian discusses Russia's blockade of Ukrainian wheat exports and its impact on food shortages. The podcast also explores espionage activities, the controversy surrounding a book about a suspected mole, and the need for rethinking food security policies.

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.

Former FBI agent joins reporter Haley Britzky to discuss the newly declassified FBI and UK documents on Saudi involvement in the 9/11 attacks. They also delve into the exposé of brutal harassment at the Marine Corps Intelligence School, raising questions about accountability and cultural change within the military.

A leading authority on submarine espionage and the author of a book on the subject, Christopher Drew, engages in a discussion with Jeff Stein. They cover various intriguing topics like hair-raising espionage missions, challenges in tracking submarines, revealing Russian moles, the role of submarines in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rebuilding the Russian Navy's nuclear submarine arsenal, and uncovering Bin Laden's plans and myths through the Bin Laden papers.

Former Head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Robert Cardillo, discusses anti-satellite warfare and Oval Office briefings. Mollie Saltskog analyzes China's stealth move into the Solomon Islands. They explore the potential threat to nearby countries and China's increasing influence in the Pacific. They also discuss ways to disable satellite capabilities and the changing culture in the intelligence community regarding the sharing of satellite imagery.

Robert Cardillo, former head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, discusses the role of spy satellites in Ukraine and how images can be spoofed, while investigative reporter and author Scott Anderson dissects the differences between the old Cold War with Russia and the emerging new one.

Retired Army Gen. Kevin Ryan discusses the Russian military's chaos in Ukraine. Journalist Janet Reitman dissects the FBI's mishaps in the Michigan Wolverine Watchmen trial. The podcast also explores issues within the Russian military, the case of plotting to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, law enforcement bias, assessing the potential return of extremist groups, and monitoring the FBI's actions.

Intelligence historian Tim Weiner and Chinese espionage expert Nicholas Eftimiades discuss CIA ops against Russia, Chinese covert campaigns against US dissidents, KGB infiltration and deception, challenges in obtaining truthful information in present-day Russia, China's Operation Fox Hunt, China's global threats and repression, and Chinese harassment of dissidents in the US.

SpyTalk discusses espionage in the context of neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Lucy Kirk, a former CIA operative, provides insight into recruitment challenges during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The podcast explores the practices of 'walk-ins' and toxic espionage plots, as well as Ukraine's complex history and far-right factions. The conversation delves into the presence of far-right ideologies within militaries and the importance of strategic intelligence gathering.