SpyTalk
SpyTalk, Jeff Stein
SpyTalk lives at the intersection of intelligence operations, foreign policy, homeland security, and military strategy. Hosted by veteran national security journalist Jeff Stein, the podcast features exclusives by SpyTalk’s roster of longtime reporters, news and profiles of US and foreign spymasters, and interviews with policymakers and expert authors. There’s nothing quite like it—a place for experts and laypersons alike, who enjoy national security scoops and insights by SpyTalk's subject matter experts.
For more SpyTalk go to: https://www.spytalk.co/
For more SpyTalk go to: https://www.spytalk.co/
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 19, 2022 • 54min
Going Mental
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.
May 12, 2022 • 53min
Revelations
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.
May 5, 2022 • 51min
Deep Dive
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.
Apr 28, 2022 • 45min
Space Spies and China’s New Move
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.
Apr 21, 2022 • 57min
THE NEW COLD WAR
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.
Apr 14, 2022 • 57min
Russian Killers, American Plotters
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.
Apr 7, 2022 • 51min
Covert Actions: Russia and China
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.
Mar 31, 2022 • 44min
SPIES AND NEO-NAZIS
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.
Mar 24, 2022 • 57min
Jamming up the Russians
Former Navy electronic warfare expert Bryan Clark and former Senior Advisor to the Director of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Adam M. Smith discuss spoofing Russian troops and separating oligarchs from their hidden stashes in this episode. They delve into techniques of electronic warfare, the challenges of cyber warfare, the need for a cybersecurity treaty, enforcing sanctions, and the complexity of revealing Russian investments.
Mar 17, 2022 • 43min
Nuclear Risks and Putin's Quest for Glory
Former CIA officer and former head of Department of Energy intelligence Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, along with retired US Army Colonel and former chief of staff to General Colin Powell, Lawrence Wilkerson, discuss the risks in Putin's takeover of Ukraine's nuclear power stations and the potential consequences of a nuclear release. They also delve into the escalating tensions with Russia, the US's involvement in Ukraine, and assess Putin's character and aspirations.
