SpyCast

SummaryLieutenant General Anthony Crutchfield (Ret.) (LinkedIn, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his time as the Deputy Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command. PACOM covers 52% of the globe. What You’ll LearnIntelligence The role of intelligence in military operations Ethical dilemmas in command decisions Reflections on the impact of mentorship and outreach  The importance of remaining aware in today's pervasive world Reflections The challenges of leadership Hard work, determination, and resilience And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“I worked hard at everything I did. If somebody asked me to do a job, I didn’t say, ‘That’s not my job,’ I didn’t complain. There were places that I was sent that I didn’t want to go, but I went – And I didn’t complain about it…I did the best that I could and it was recognized.” – Anthony Crutchfield.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* Leading United States Central Command with General Frank McKenzie (2024) CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024) David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023) Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023) DEEPER DIVEBooks The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, K. F. McKenzie (Naval Institute Press, 2024) Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023)  Strategy in Crisis: The Pacific War, J. T. Kuehn (Naval Institute Press, 2023)  Fire on the Water: China, America, and the Future of the Pacific, R. J. Haddick (Naval Institute Press, 2014) Primary Sources  U.S. Defense Infrastructure in the IndoPacific: Background and Issues for Congress (2023) Pacific Partnership Strategy (2022) Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States (2022) *Wildcard Resource*PACOM is, by far, the largest geographical combatant command. The smallest, on the other hand, is the U.S. Central Command. Listen to our interview with General Frank McKenzie, 14th commander of CENTCOM, here! 

SummaryJonathan B. Smith (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.What You’ll LearnIntelligence Building high-performance teams Case officers vs. entrepreneurs  Networking and overcoming operational challenges Curiosity as a key trait for success Reflections The will to succeed  The power of listening and empathy And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin (2024)  The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)  Spying and Start-Ups with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022) From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022) *Beginner Resources* What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video] What is EOS? Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet] Case Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description] DEEPER DIVEBooks Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016) Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)

SummaryEan Forsythe joins Andrew to discuss the history of Cuban intelligence. Ean is the Counterintelligence and Security Center Chair at the National Intelligence University. What You’ll LearnIntelligence The history and evolution of Cuban intelligence Case studies, including Ana Montes, Kendall Meyers, and the Cuban Five Counterintelligence strategies and challenges The role of Cuban intelligence during the Cold War Reflections Ideology and the power of ideas Offensive vs. defensive play  And much, much more …Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023) The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023) Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022) DEEPER DIVEBooks Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023) To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. M. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021) United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008) Primary Sources  Report on the Convictions and Disproportionate Sentences Imposed on the Cuban Five (2014) USA: The Case of the Cuban Five (2010) Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005) US vs. Marta Rita Velazquez (2004) Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001) FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001) Selection and Training of Cuban Intelligence Agents Abroad (1964) Cuban Intelligence Information Report (1964) *Wildcard Resource*Watch Erin bake Ana Montes’ famous cheesecake recipe and dive deeper into Ana’s story in SPY's Declassified Desserts video! 

SummaryEliot Higgins (X; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the work of Bellingcat. Eliot founded the open-source investigative website in 2014. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Bellingcat’s approach to “investigative journalism”   The rise of OSINT as a tool of journalism   Bellingcat’s relationship with intelligence agencies  Case studies from Bellingcat’s past, including the Skripal Case and the MH17 flight investigation Reflections Leading by example Accessibility and accountability And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“When I first started doing this work ... I would present geolocation and stuff on stage. The reaction was like I was doing magic tricks, but my point was that. This isn't magic – This is something that you can do and recreate and understand.” - Eliot Higgins.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence with Jennifer Ewbank (2024) The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)  U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024) Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023) DEEPER DIVEBooks OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)  Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023) We Are Bellingcat: The Online Sleuths Solving Global Crimes, E. Higgins (Bloomsbury, 2022) Primary Sources  Map of Civilian Harm in Ukraine (2024) Death of Sinwar Report (2024) The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024) DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024) MH17 Investigation (2019) Skripal Report (2018)  *Wildcard Resource* The fable of Belling the Cat The inspiration behind Bellingcat’s name, the moral of this story is simple – It’s one thing to suggest a solution or idea, but it’s a whole other beast to actually take action. 

Cameron Malin, founder of the FBI’s Cyber Behavioral Analysis Center, delves into the intriguing world of cyber and behavioral profiling. He discusses the historical roots of profiling and its vital role in counterintelligence efforts. Malin explores the interplay of nature versus nurture in criminal behavior, and how dark psychological traits like psychopathy inform these processes. The conversation further uncovers the emerging threats of deception in the digital age, including AI's impact on disinformation, showcasing the need for holistic cybersecurity approaches.

Chris Voss, the former FBI lead international hostage negotiator and author of "Never Split the Difference," dives into the art of negotiation. He shares insights on tactical empathy, emphasizing the importance of understanding human nature. Voss recounts gripping case studies from his career, illustrating the dynamics of high-stakes negotiations. He also discusses the power of rapport in both negotiation and interrogation, advocating for ethical approaches that foster genuine connections. His anecdotes reveal how adaptability and emotional intelligence can lead to successful outcomes.

Jim Himes, U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 4th district and ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, dives into the world of U.S. intelligence. He shares personal reflections on 9/11 and its profound impact on intelligence practices. Himes emphasizes the necessity of bipartisan collaboration and transparency for national security. The conversation touches on the challenges of oversight, the evolving role of Congress, and the vital lessons learned from past intelligence failures—all while maintaining a balance between accountability and secrecy.

Jennifer Ewbank, formerly the Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation, shares invaluable insights from her prestigious career. She discusses the crucial integration of technology in intelligence, emphasizing the need for humility and decisive leadership. Risk management is a central theme, highlighting the emotional toll on operatives and the collaborative nature of modern intelligence work. Ewbank also reflects on the shift to open-source intelligence and its role in countering sophisticated adversaries, underscoring the importance of human-machine collaboration.

SummaryPete Langman and Nadine Akkerman join Andrew to discuss espionage in Elizabethan England. Pete and Nadine are authors of the new book Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Spymasters of the Elizabethan era  Techniques in forgeries, invisible inks, and seal-making The impact of spies on important historical events like the Spanish Armada The connections between espionage and religious tension Reflections Creativity & Innovation The risks and dangers of early espionage And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“Spies are involved with bribery. They cheat and they lie, so it’s immoral, and often there are things that are just illegal in other instances, such as forgery of documents. Other people would get their ears clipped or their noses slit if they forged documents.If you are a spy, you are being asked to do that on the job. So it's a dangerous game and the lines are very thin.” – Nadine Akkerman.Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource* Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, N. Akkerman & P. Langman (Yale University Press, 2024) *SpyCasts* The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024)  Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023) The Information Battlespace – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2022) So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker? with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021)  DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources  Natural magick, Smithsonian Digital Library (1658) Page of Ciphers Used by Mary Queen of Scots, UK National Archives (1586) Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots in Sheffield Castle to Elizabeth I, British Library (1582) Mary, Queen of Scots to Sir William Cecil, UK National Archives (1570) De Furtivis Literarum notis (1563) *Wildcard Resource* Use this invisible ink recipe from the UK National Archives to send your own secret messages.  You may recognize this heat method from one of Erin’s favorite movies, National Treasure (2004), where a secret message is revealed on the back of the Declaration of Independence. 

SummaryJason Barrett (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the integration of open-source intelligence into the American Intelligence Community. Jason is the first-ever OSINT Executive. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Historical examples of OSINT The evolution of Open Source Intelligence The challenges and unique opportunities OSINT presents The future of OSINT within the Intelligence Community  Reflections Trust and transparency  Efficiency in intelligence gathering And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“We're living in an age when credibility and trust is really important to build. This is an opportunity for the IC to really build that trust, I think in important ways. So, it's an area I think you will see more of us being more transparent in our work.” – Jason Barrett. Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024) Cybersecurity in The White House with Camille Stewart Gloster (2024) David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023) Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023) DEEPER DIVEBooks OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)  Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023) Open Source Intelligence Methods and Tools: A Practical Guide to Online Intelligence, N. A. Hassan & R. Hijazi (Apress, 2018) Primary Sources  The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024) DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024)  Ethical Frameworks in Open-Source Intelligence (2022)  Open-Source Intelligence, Department of the Army (2012)  Department of Defense OSINT Instruction (2010) *Wildcard Resource* You’ve probably practiced OSINT techniques many times before – Think, Facebook stalking your old college friends to see what they’re up to. Many video games also involve the usage of open-source collection techniques:  Return of the Obra Dinn (2018) is one such critically acclaimed video game. The game, set on an early 19th-century ship, challenges its player to solve the mystery of what happened to the crew onboard by piecing together scraps of information from journal entries and related documents.