SpyCast

North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top diplomat for North Korea, takes us inside the mind of one of the world's most opaque leaders.If you liked this episode, check out these links:Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Dr. Jung H. PakAI and Emerging Technologies: Intelligence Opportunities & Challenges Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:https://sashaingber.substack.com/And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org, This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, colleges and universities have been a destination for espionage. Especially in recent years, the use of international students and faculty as spies on American campuses has been particularly daunting. Why do intelligence services, both foreign and domestic, target colleges and universities? And what is there to gain on these campuses? Award-winning journalist Daniel Golden, author of the book Spy Schools, describes the timeless game. If you liked this episode, check out these links: Secret History of History: Color Wars Part II with Catherine McKinley Chinese Corporate Espionage - The Tale of the Tea Thief with Sarah Rose Declassified Dessert | How to Make Cuban Spy Ana Montes’ Cheesecake Queen of Cuba with Peter J. Lapp SpyCast | “Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:https://sashaingber.substack.com/And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org, This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agent Zo was the only female Polish resistance agent to reach London as a courier during WWII and the only female member of Poland's fabled 'Silent Unseen' paratroopers. Yet despite having researched Poland's wartime resistance movement, many of us have never heard of her. Why?If you liked this episode, check out these links:Agent Zo: The Extraordinary Woman Who Parachuted Into Nazi-Occupied PolandWomen Spies of WWII with Ellen McCarthy, Judith L. Pearson, and Erika RobuckThe Danger of the Femme Fatale NarrativeCode Name Madeleine with author Arthur J. MagidaSubscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:https://sashaingber.substack.com/And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org, This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Beth Sanner, a highly decorated retired intelligence officer and former director of the President's Daily Brief, shares her unique experiences briefing President Trump. She reflects on the complexities of presenting intelligence to a president influenced by social media and the importance of personal connections. Sanner also tackles the challenges of cyber warfare, potential negotiations with Putin over Ukraine, and the delicate balance between intelligence and political pressures, shedding light on the future of the intelligence community.

Former intelligence officer Bryan Stern describes the tradecraft he used on Russian intelligence and military services to rescue an American imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine.If you liked this episode check out these links to more hostage rescue stories: SpyCast - James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son – with His Mother Diane Foley Operación Jaque - The Daring Rescue Mission That Freed 15 Hostages Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ambassador Roger D. Carstens Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:https://sashaingber.substack.com/To learn more about Bryan’s work with Grey Bull you can visit greybullrescue.org. And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing the new host of SpyCast, Sasha Ingber! In this week’s episode, Sasha joined Erin in a conversation about her career and the future of the International Spy Museum’s flagship podcast. Now entering it’s 19th year, SpyCast will relaunch on January 14th with brand new episodes, featuring exciting spy stories and the latest intelligence from the shadowy world of espionage. Tune in to learn more about Sasha, our very first female host and the first host with a background in journalism.As we look forward to our upcoming relaunch, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to those who have had a hand in uplifting SpyCast throughout the past 18 years. In particular, we’d like to thank our outgoing host Dr. Andrew Hammond, whose passion for the history of intelligence and genuine connection with each of our guests shined through each of the 200+ episodes he produced. A special thanks is also due to our friends at N2K Networks for their talented production and unwavering support of the podcast. We can’t wait to introduce you all to the new era of SpyCast. See you in the new year! Subscribe to Sasha’s Substack, HUMINT, here: https://sashaingber.substack.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Gates, a former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense, shares his remarkable journey from an entry-level employee to the head of the agency. He reflects on the CIA's 75th anniversary, discussing its strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges posed by today's complex global environment. Gates offers insights into leadership lessons drawn from historical figures like Richard Helms and the CIA's evolution post-Cold War. He emphasizes the significance of independent intelligence in navigating future global threats, intertwined with personal anecdotes from his storied career.

SummaryHugh Wilford joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book. Hugh is a professor, author, and leading CIA historian. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Imperial influences on American intelligence Key figures in CIA history  “Wild” Bill Donovan & British influence Groton School’s impact on CIA leaders Reflections Inherited history Challenging established narratives And much, much more … Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource* The CIA: An Imperial History, Hugh Wilford (Basic Books, 2024)*SpyCasts* The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024) The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022) The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022) DEEPER DIVEBooks A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA, R. Jeffreys-Jones (Oxford University Press, 2022)  Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020) A Brief History of the CIA, R. Immerman (Wiley, 2014) Primary Sources  Sherman Kent Obituary (1986) Maj. Gen. Edward G. Lansdale to go to South Vietnam (1965)  CIA Review of the World Situation (1947) Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947)  National Security Act (1947) Intelligence Remarks of Major General William J. Donovan (1946) *Wildcard Resource* Kim (1901) by Rudyard Kipling As Hugh mentions in this interview, this book was the inspiration behind Kermit Roosevelt Jr.’s nickname, Kim. Harold Adrian Russell Philby, the infamous member of the Cambridge Spy Ring better known as Kim Philby, took inspiration from the same source.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryRobert Shaw joins Andrew to discuss his experience working as an accredited Battlefield tour guide. Bob’s career in the British Army spanned over 25 years. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Becoming a battlefield tour guide IEDD and Intelligence Work in Northern Ireland Hypothetical WWIII scenarios  Special Forces, TECHINT, & the Bin Laden Raid Reflections Learning from history Interpretation and understanding And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“One of the things about being an IEDD operator, our intent of course is investigation. And part of that is asking questions, lots of them, and getting, in a sense, answers and then following off and chasing trails or rabbit holes … It's good to be able to question everything and work out why it's there and does it fit … So it does really help with battlefield touring.” – Bob Shaw.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma with Andrew Hodges (2024) The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024) ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: The D-Day Deception with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023) St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023) The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022) DEEPER DIVEExplore the Sites and Battlefields Discussed Thames House Vauxhall Cross Bletchley Park  Monument to SOE Agents The Old War Office Building The Admiralty Building Beaumanor Hall Battle of Arnhem / Operation Market Garden  The Khyber Pass  The Falklands Conflict   Abbottabad Raid / Operation Neptune Spear  Battle of Stalingrad  *Wildcard Resource* The Battle of Gettysburg is perhaps one of the most well-known and most visited battlefields in the United States.  Take a virtual tour of this historic American site here – Tour guidance by Bob not included.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryAnna Slafer (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of the International Spy Museum. Anna was one of SPY’s first employees when the museum opened in 2002. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Building the International Spy Museum Milton Maltz: the visionary behind SPY  The role of historians and curators  Creating exhibits on espionage  Reflections Institutional memory and evolution The challenges and joys of storytelling  And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“We structured the museum so people could understand: How does [spying] work? Who does it? What is my role? And we wanted to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.” – Anna Slafer. Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann (2024) Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023) Peter Earnest Memorial: Spook, CIA Spokesman, Spy Museum Director (2022) *Beginner Resources* A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video] About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article] About Museums, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short Q&A] DEEPER DIVEArticles Cracking the Spy Museum Code to Revitalize Stale Learning, J. A. Manning, Medium (2023) A Reimagined Spy Museum in Washington Doesn’t Flinch From the Darker Side, S. Shane, The New York Times (2019) From For-Profit to Nonprofit: Evolution of the International Spy Museum, E. Merritt, American Alliance of Museums (2019) Spy Museum salutes '50 years of Bond Villains,' T. Wells, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2012) Role of museums in managing design education: a case study, H. Lee, International Journal of Education Through Art (2009) Museum visitors hit the D.C. streets in spy game, B. Zongker, Seattle Times (2009) *Wildcard Resource* Museums have been a critical element of community building and historical memory for centuries.  One of the world’s first curators was a woman named Ennigaldi-Nanna from modern day Iraq. Dating from 530 B.C., Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum of Mesopotamian artifacts is thought to be the world’s oldest museum.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices