SpyCast

A CIA psychologist discusses psychology's role in intelligence and national security, leadership personality assessments during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the intersection of psychoanalytic theory and espionage, the significance of historical understanding in human nature, and the repetition of history in leadership analysis.

SummaryLeon Panetta (Panetta Institute) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his lifetime of American public service. Secretary Panetta was the 2023 recipient of SPY’s William H. Webster Award. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Directing the Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence & the Abbottabad Raid Working within the Clinton Administration  A life’s dedication to the safety of the American public Reflections The power of patience and the ability to listen Handing immense pressure and responsibility And much, much more …Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts* My Life in American Intelligence with Barry Zulauf (2023) David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023) Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023) The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022) *Beginner Resources* What Does the Secretary of Defense Do? MasterClass (2022) [Short article] How did the US find and kill Osama bin Laden? 60 Minutes Australia, YouTube (2018) [4 min. video] Leon E. Panetta, Panetta Institute for Public Policy (n.d.) [Short biography] DEEPER DIVEBooks The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future, C. Whipple (Scribner, 2021) The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, C. Whipple (Crown, 2018)  Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace, L. Panetta & J. Newton (Penguin Books, 2014) SECDEF: The Nearly Impossible Job of Secretary of Defense, C. A. Stevenson (Potomac Books, 2007)  Primary Sources  Statement on Syria before the Senate Armed Services Committee (2012) Nomination of Hon. Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense (2011)  Statement to Employees by CIA Director Leon Panetta on the Death of Usama Bin Ladin (2011)  Nomination of Leon Panetta to be Director, Central Intelligence Agency (2009) Memorandum for Leon Panetta on POTUS’ Time Investment (1996) Letter from Brown to Panetta Regarding Fiscal Year 1994-1997 (1993) Letter to the Honorable Leon E. Panetta from George Bush (1977) *Wildcard Resource* Secretary Panetta now lives on a lovely vineyard in sunny California. Speaking of wine and spies, check out Vint Hill Winery in Warrenton, Virginia.  In 1942 the US Army set up top-secret SIGINT operations at the now-vineyard after the farm’s owner, a Ham Radio enthusiast, set up a wire on the roof of the barn that could reach signals from Berlin. The farm was the site of The Signal Corps cryptographic school, which famously intercepted messages from Hiroshi Oshima in 1943.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryRory Cormac (X) and Richard Aldrich join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and the British Monarchy. The links between the royals and espionage prove the Crown to be far more than just a figurehead.  What You’ll LearnIntelligence Prince William’s internship with British Intelligence How Elizabeth II knew perhaps more secrets that anyone else in history King Charles' love of intelligence   Queen Victoria as Spymaster MI5, MI6, and the Diana conspiracies Reflections Secrets within secrets  Power and knowledge And much, much more …Quotes of the Week ”What struck me the most was how much access Queen Elizabeth II had, how much she knew … And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that she probably knew more state secrets than any human being who has ever walked the history of the earth, because she had access to everything for 70 odd years.” – Rory Cormac Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource* Crown, Cloak, and Dagger: The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence from Victoria to Elizabeth II, R. Cormac & R. J. Aldrich (Georgetown University Press, 2023) *SpyCasts* Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024) British Defence Attaché, U.S.A. with Rear Admiral Tim Woods (2023) St. Ermin’s Hotel, London: The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)  Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023) *Beginner Resources* UK Royal Family: What does the King do? Jennifer Clarke, BBC (2024) [Short article] An Average Day in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II, The Infographics Show, YouTube (2020) [9 min. video] Kings and Queens of England & Britain, Ben Johnson, Historic UK (n.d.) [Brief bios of all Monarchs] DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources  Operation Paget Report (2006) CIA Confirms Official Met With LaRouche (1984) Anthony Blunt, 75, Dies; Was Soviet Spy in Britain (1983) More Cloak Than Dagger – An 18th Century Spy (1965) The Queen Delivering her speech to the House of Lords (1838) Popay the Spy Political Cartoon (1833)  *Wildcard Resource* Have a sweet tooth? So did many queens. Several delectable desserts have been named by or for British royals. Try these recipes:  Victoria Sponge, named for Queen Victoria’s favorite afternoon tea accompaniment Charlotte Cake, supposedly named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Queen Elizabeth Cake, first published in the 1953 Coronation Cook Book and served at Elizabeth II’s coronation  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryCurators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first Ian Fleming novel, Casino Royale. What You’ll LearnIntelligence Bond vs. Real Life Spies The birth of James Bond  Ian Fleming’s intelligence past Bond and MI6 Reflections What makes a character timeless? Pop culture mirroring real life And much, much more …*FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*Episode NotesThis week on SpyCast, curators Andrew and Alexis join forces to put the past 70 years of Bond into historical perspective. To help frame their conversation, our collections team brought out a fantastic selection of Bond artifacts for Andrew and Alexis to interact with during the recording of this episode. Quotes of the Week“I think in general the spy genre always has to have one foot, often two, in the real world. It's part of what makes that genre appealing and not science fiction. It takes place in the real world. And whether that is, you know, some of the technology or real-world threats, it has to be relatable and recognizable in that sense.” – Alexis Albion.*FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCast’s* Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023) Secrets Revealed with Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023) CIA Officers Turned Authors with David McCloskey and James Stejskal (2022) The Spy of the Century with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022) My Life Looking at Spies and the Media with Paul Lashmar (2022) *Beginner Resources* MI6 History & Facts, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022) [Brief history of MI6] The Evolution of James Bond, Fandom Entertainment, YouTube (2021) [15 min. video] Ian Fleming, Famous Authors (n.d.) [Short biography] *FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*Primary Sources  Primos Bionic Eye, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021) James Bond’s Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch, Collection of the International Spy Museum (2021)  007 Fragrance Commercial, YouTube (1965) James Bond Action Pak Toy Commercial, American Character, YouTube (1964) Aston Martin DB5, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1964) The Zimmermann Telegram, National Archives (1917)  *Wildcard Resource*Everyone has a favorite James Bond theme song. If you just can’t choose just one, check out The Ultimate James Bond Medley – A production from Alchemistic Records featuring all 25 Bond songs.  *FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryJohn Blaxland (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Australia and Oceania. John is a widely recognized as a leading expert in this area. What You’ll LearnIntelligence-Australia’s Intelligence Community -SIGINT in Australia during WWII -Australia’s relationship with South Asia-The Pine Gap facility Reflections -The implications of geography-The power of collaborationAnd much, much more …Quotes of the Week“The shift from the analog to the digital world … The shift for digital espionage, digital footprint management. How do you hide in the noise? How do you cover your identity? How do you protect your identity? … The digital revolution has actually enabled states to exercise a lot more power, a lot more control, a lot more monitoring, a lot more surveillance, a lot more interference.” – John Blaxland.Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource*-Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intelligence and the advent of cyber, C. Birgin & J. Blaxland (University of New South Wales Press, 2023)*SpyCasts*-SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America (2022)-Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)-Desperately, Madly in Love – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC (2021)*Beginner Resources*-East Timor Independence: a short history of a long and brutal struggle, Guardian Australia, YouTube (2019) [4 min. video]-Our Agencies, National Intelligence Community of Australia (n.d.) [Overview of each agency in the Australian IC]-What is signals intelligence?, BAE Systems (n.d.) [Short article]DEEPER DIVEBooks-Spies & Sparrows: ASIO & the Cold War, P. Deery (Melbourne University Press, 2022)-Australia's First Spies: The Remarkable Story of Australia's Intelligence Operations, 1901-45, J. Fahey (Allen & Unwin, 2019)-The Official History of ASIO – 3 Volumes, D. Horner, J. Blaxland, R. Crawley (Allen & Unwin, 2014/2015/2016)Primary Sources -United Nations Resolution 1272 (1999)-United Nations Resolution 1264 (1999) -Five Power Defence Arrangements (1971) -Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the United States of America relating to the Establishment of a Joint Defence Space Research Facility (1966) -6 Wireless Unit signal sighting of Allied shipping (1945) -Role and effectiveness of Signals Intelligence in World War II (1945)-Four Rotor Enigma Machine, Collection of the International Spy Museum (1943-1944) *Wildcard Resource*-Pine Gap A TV show about the top-secret satellite surveillance base of the same name. If you’ve seen it, you know it all about Australian Intelligence. Just kidding. But it’s a good watch!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryJames Crossland (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the origins of modern terrorism. James is an expert on terrorism, intelligence, and propaganda.What You’ll LearnIntelligence-The origins of modern terrorism -19th century spymasters -Covert action and assassinations-Intelligence as a weaponReflections -Philosophy and ideology’s effect on history-The power of fearAnd much, much more …Quotes of the Week“These waves of repression that feed into discontent and create more radical strains of discontent, that is a process that's really observable during this period. The reason why I think this is the first real age of terrorism is because you have all this stuff coming together: Communications that you need to promote terrorist activities to gain the attention you need, societal discontent, dangerous ideas … and it's all moving around together as part of the same process.” – James Crossland. Resources SURFACE SKIM*Spotlight Resource* -The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism, J. Crossland (Manchester University Press, 2023) *SpyCasts*-Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)-St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site, with Stephen Duffy (2023)-Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)-The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy with Alexander Rose (2023)*Beginner Resources*-Terrorism, J. P. Jenkins, Encyclopaedia Brittanica (2023) [Short article / definition]-What Were The Most Important Events of the 19th Century?, C. Seaver, History Defined (2022) [Short article]-Marxism in Under 5 Minutes, Theory in 5, YouTube (2020) [3 min. video] DEEPER DIVEBooks-Sofia Perovskaya, Terrorist Princess: The Plot to Kill Tsar Alexander II and the Woman Who Led It, R. R. Riggs (Global Harmony Press Inc., 2018)-The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815-1914, R. J. Evans (Penguin Books, 2017) -Blood and Rage: A Cultural History of Terrorism, M. Burleigh (Harper, 2009)Primary Sources -The assassination, who is responsible? (1901) -New York Times “Empress of Austria Slain” Article (1898) -New York Times “War On Terrorism” Article (1881)-La vérité sur Orsini (1872) [The Truth about Orsini]-Manifesto of the Paris Commune (1871) -The Revolutionary Catechism (1869) -On the Fenian Prisoners in Manchester (1867)-Procès de Orsini (1858) [The Trial of Orsini]*Wildcard Resource*-You may have already read his classic play Crime and Punishment, but have you read Dostoevsky’s The Idiot (1869)? This novel is known as Dostoevsky’s most personal work, a story that clearly shows the threads of his own life experiences during 19th century Russia. The novel explores many of the same questions of philosophy and politics explored in this episode of SpyCast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary  Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a coveted DEFCON Black Badge.  What You’ll Learn Intelligence -What keeps Eric up at night  -Thinking like an ethical hacker (aka a “penetration tester) -Protecting your information (i.e., “Hardening the attack surface”) -Plain English explanations of key cyber concepts like “Kill Chains” and “Zero Days” Reflections -Having a cool job -The information revolution and life in the modern world And much, much more… Episode Notes Eric Escobar commits several thousand felonies on any given day, if he didn’t have permission to do what he was doing. A Principal Security Consultant with SecureWorks, Eric has compromised pretty much everything out there: from healthcare and banking to technology and critical infrastructure, through to amusement parks and next generation military aircraft. “From my perspective, it’s the coolest job in the entire world.” His team consecutively won first place in the Wireless CTF category at DEF CON 23, 24, and 25, snagging a Black Badge along the way. He has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering.  And… The links between computing, hacking and the 60’s counterculture are FASCINATING. Learn more by dipping your toes here and here, or dive deeper with What the Dormouse Said (2005) by John Markoff and From Counterculture to Cyberculture (2006) by Fred Turner.    Quote of the Week "Watching any critical infrastructure get compromised is really the thing that keeps me up at night because lives are in the balance…and we do a lot of testing for critical infrastructure, and I've seen computers and machines that have been online and not been taken offline, longer than I've been alive…So really interesting to see those types of things because they interact with really big, expensive hardware…there's a catch 22 that happens where you can't really take the machine offline to do maintenance on it because it's critical infrastructure. So then how do you test it to make sure that a hacker can't take it offline, or maintenance can't be done on it? " – Eric Escobar. Resources  *Andrew’s Recommendation* -Word Notes  From beginner thru advanced, you’ll find some helpful definitions of things like “Web 3.0,” “NFT’s” and “Digital Transformation” on this Cyberwire audio glossary. *SpyCasts* -Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) – with John Lambert and Cristin Goodwin (2021) -The Cyber Zeitgeist – with Dave Bittner (2021) -Securing Cyberspace – with Charlie Mitchell (2016) *Beginner Resources* -What is Hacking? The Economic Times (n.d.) [web] -Ethical Hacking in 8 Minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [8 min video] -Cybersecurity in 7 minutes, Simplilearn (2020) [7 min video] Books -The Cyberweapons Arms Race, N. Perloth (Bloomsbury, 2021) -Cult of the Dead Cow, J. Menn (PublicAffairs, 2020) -Breaking & Entering, J. Smith (Mariner Books, 2019) -The Art of Invisibility, K. Mitnick (L, B & C, 2017) -Ghost in the Wires, K. Mitnick (Back Bay Books, 2012) -Kingpin, K. Poulson (Crown, 2012) -The Cuckoo’s Egg, C. Stoll (Doubleday, 1989) -Neuromancer, W. Gibson (Ace, 1984) Articles -2022 State of the Threat: A Year in Review, Secureworks (2022) -The Anthropology of Hackers, The Atlantic (2010) -Timeline Since 2006: Significant Cyber Incidents, CSIS (n.d.) Documentary -DEFCON, The Documentary Network (2013) Resources -Government Hacking Bibliography, S. Quinlan, New America Foundation (2016) *Wildcard Resource* -“The Aurora Shard” Come to the International Spy Museum to see an ugly chunk of metal. Why? Well, it speaks to a revolution in the relationship between the material world and the non-material world. Broken down? 30 lines of code blew up a 27-ton generator. Zeros and ones can cause violent explosions!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryAlan Kohler joins Andrew to discuss the FBI’s counterintelligence division. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation. ***FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE***What You’ll LearnIntelligence-Counterintelligence vs. Counterespionage-How the FBI recruit’s foreign agents -Ideological motivations behind spying-Effect of technology on counterintelligenceReflections-Staying grounded under pressure -The value of creativityNotesAlan Kohler (LinkedIn, Website) has been the FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence since 2020. Alan and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) talk all things counterintelligence.***FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE****SpyCasts*-The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 1 (2022)-The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran, Part 2 (2022)-My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent with Kathy Stearman (2021)-The FBI Way with Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi (2021)***FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE****Beginner Resources*-What We Investigate, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]-FAQ’S, FBI (n.d.) [webpage]-US Opens Counterintelligence Investigation into China Every 12 Hours (Dir. Wray), MSNBC (2022) [video]-What We Know About China’s Spy Agency, Bloomberg Originals (2019) [video]-Hollow Nickel/Rudolf Abel, FBI (n.d.) [Article]-NCSC Mission, Vision, and Goals, ODNI (n.d.) [Website]Glossary: -Counterintelligence: Information gathered, and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage or other intelligence activities-FBI Attaché: a special agent assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to liaise with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. They pursue terrorist, intelligence, and criminal threats with international dimensions. -Occam’s Razor: a rule of thumb theory that states when you are faced with competing explanations for the same phenomenon, the simplest one is probably the correct one. Attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th century English theologian. ***FULL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shane Harris, a journalist and author, discusses the role of intelligence in the Ukraine conflict one year later. They talk about the war in Ukraine, the leadership of Zelensky and Putin, reporting on spies, and the tenacity of the Ukrainian people and army.

SummaryBonny Lin (Biography) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the current state of China and intelligence. Bonny is the Director of the ChinaPower Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. What You’ll LearnIntelligence-China’s economic power and status -The current landscape of Chinese intelligence -China’s relationship with Taiwan-The ChinaPower ProjectReflections -Power and prominence -The global community as a complicated ecosystem And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“In the last couple of years, we've seen really a securitization of how China views intelligence and national security in general. And just this July, we saw China pass a revised counter espionage law. So with the whole host of laws of China's past since 2014 … it basically has made collection of intelligence and protecting Chinese national security the responsibility of every Chinese citizen.” - Bonny Lin.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts*-The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence with Dina Rezk (2023)-China’s Corporate Spy War with CNBC’s Eamon Javers (2023) -The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)-Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2022)*Beginner Resources*-China-Taiwan crisis explained: What is behind the tensions?, ITV News, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]-8 things you need to know about China’s economy, World Economic Forum (2016) [Short article]-Xi Jinping, Forbes (n.d) [Brief profile]DEEPER DIVEBooks-Spies and Lies: How China's Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World, A. Joske (Hardie Grant, 2022) -The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia, I. Easton (Eastbridge Books, 2019)-The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower, M. Pillsbury (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016) Primary Sources -National Intelligence Estimate – China-Taiwan: Prospects or Cross-Strait Relations (1999) -Forecasting the Sino-Vietnamese Split (1986)-China-Vietnam: A Status Report (1983)-Establishment of a China Task Force (1966) -Communist Chinese Intervention in the Vietnam War (1966)-Controls on Trade with Communist China (1955)*Wildcard Resource*-Need a good cookie recipe for the holidays? Try this recipe adapted from the 1300-year old cookies found during the 1915 excavation of the Astana Cemetery in Xinjiang, China. -The petrified cookies are currently part of the collection of the British Museum, and still look quite tasty!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices