
SpyCast
SpyCast, the official podcast of the International Spy Museum, is a journey into the shadows of international espionage. Each week, host Sasha Ingber brings you the latest insights and intriguing tales from spies, secret agents, and covert communicators, with a focus on how this secret world reaches us all in our everyday lives. Tune in to discover the critical role intelligence has played throughout history and today. Brought to you from Airwave, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum. The Spy Museum does not endorse, approve, or support the opinions stated by guest speakers. Statements made by speakers do not represent the position or opinion of the International Spy Museum.
Latest episodes

Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 9min
“My Life in American Intelligence” – with Barry Zulauf
SummaryBarry Zulauf (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his extensive experience working across the American intelligence community. Barry is the President of the International Association for Intelligence Education. What You’ll LearnIntelligence
What is the “Intelligence Community?”
The organizational structure of American intelligence
The establishment of the ODNI
The intelligence components of the DEA
Reflections
A life of service
Passion to serve the people
And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“[Fentanyl] is an enormous, enormous problem and no single organization, even as big as the Defense Intelligence enterprise, can deal with it alone. So, it's going to be a lot of diplomacy and a lot of building bridges, convincing people to do the right thing.” – Barry Zulauf.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts*
First of Many…America’s First Female Intelligence Agency Chief with former NGA Director Letitia “Tish” Long (2023)
Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan (2023)
Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)
El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
America's intelligence community, explained, The Washington Post, YouTube (2014) [2 min. video]
Members of the IC, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (n.d.) [Brief summaries of the 18 agencies]
Who We Are, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (n.d) [Short article]
DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources
The WMD Commission Report (2005)
The 9/11 Commission Report (2004)
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (2004)
The Clark Report (1955)
The Doolittle Report (1955)
National Security Act (1947)
CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
*Wildcard Resource*
Barry mentioned early in the episode that he actually rowed into town the morning we recorded this episode – Barry shares this hobby with Teddy Roosevelt, an avid rower and the president that was instrumental in the creation of the FBI.
Check out this Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt that catapulted the FBI into existence.
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Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 12min
“The Most Famous Art Detective in the World” – with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman
SummaryRobert Wittman (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Bob recovered over $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property over the course of his career. What You’ll LearnIntelligence
How the FBI’s Art Crime Team (ACT) was formed
The intelligence angle when investigating provenance
Living and working undercover abroad
Museums & Intelligence
Reflections
The importance of cultural property
Questions of ownership and belonging
And much, much more …Quotes of the Week“The motivation for writing the book was to get the word out how important cultural heritage is. It really is important to make the public realize that this is an important program that should be supported by law enforcement both local and federal.” – Robert Wittman.Resources SURFACE SKIM*Featured Resource*
Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures, R. Wittman (Crown Publishing, 2011)
*SpyCasts*
The Gambling Capital of the World: Intelligence, Las Vegas Style! with James Lockhart and Keith Michaels (2023)
Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)
70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (2023)
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)
*Beginner Resources*
Why art gets stolen time and again, R. Pryor, The Art Newspaper (2020) [Short article]
FBI Art Theft Program, FBI, YouTube (2013) [6 min. video]
What is cultural property?, Information and Heritage Inspectorate (n.d.) [Short article]
DEEPER DIVEPrimary Sources
Crystal Sphere, Collection of the University of Pennsylvania Museum
Mask of the Man with the Broken Nose, Collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Concert, Collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Rosenberg Diary, Collection of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Museums and the theft of works of art (1973)
*Wildcard Resource*
Can you identify famous pieces and artists like an art detective?
Take this Google Arts & Culture quiz to see if you’re cut out for the job!
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Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 3min
“The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence” – with Dina Rezk
Dina Rezk, an Associate Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History, discusses Egyptian intelligence, including leadership, relationships with neighboring countries, internal security, and the role of intelligence during the Arab Spring. They also explore the power dynamics in Egypt, the influence of the military, and the collaboration between Israeli and Egyptian intelligence.

Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 5min
“British Defence Attaché, U.S.A.” – with Rear Admiral Tim Woods
Rear Admiral Tim Woods, British Defence Attaché to the United States, discusses the role of a defence attaché, the impact of intelligence on military strategy, his experience during the 2021 Russian invasion of Ukraine, constant surveillance, sacrificing personal privacy for national security, and the power of relationships and connections.

Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 4min
“My Father the Navajo Code-Talker” – with Laura Tohe
Laura Tohe, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation, discusses the WWII Navajo Code Talkers and how Navajo language was used as a weapon. She shares insights about the formation of the Code Talking Units and the relationship between language and the state. The podcast also explores the power of oral history and the preservation of Navajo stories.

Nov 7, 2023 • 59min
“Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen” – with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends
SummaryAndrew leads a SPY Museum panel discussion between four experts on the most damaging mole in FBI history, Robert Hanssen. This program was in collaboration with CBS/Paramount on their new podcast “Agent of Betrayal"What You’ll LearnIntelligence
The story of Robert Hanssen
How his colleagues reacted to his betrayal
A psychological analysis of Hanssen
How the Hanssen case has impacted the FBI and U.S. intelligence
Reflections
Disillusionment and betrayal
“The child is father of the man”
And much, much more …Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts*
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen with Lis Wiehl (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
Here's the damage notorious Russian spy Robert Hanssen caused the US in over 20 years, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
How Robert Hanssen Spied for the Soviets, History (2017) [Short article]
How is a mole different from a spy?, The Times of India (2006) [Short article]
DEEPER DIVEBooks
Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, C. Walton (Simon & Schuster, 2023)
A Spy in Plain Sight: The Inside Story of the FBI and Robert Hanssen―America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, L. Wiehl (Pegasus Books, 2022)
Spy: The Inside Story of How the FBI's Robert Hanssen Betrayed America, D. Wise (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003)
Primary Sources
A Review of the FBI’s Progress in Responding to the Recommendations in the Office of the Inspector General Report on Robert Hanssen (2007)
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Voted Today to Begin a Formal Investigation of the Robert Philip Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
George W. Bush Remarks on the Robert Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
Affidavit in Robert Hanssen Spy Case (2001)
Veteran FBI Agent Arrested and Charged with Espionage (2001)
Statement of FBI Director Louis J. Freeh On the Arrest of FBI Special Agent Robert Philip Hanssen (2001)
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Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 50min
Double Bill: “Former Head of Counter-terrorism Analysis, IDF” – with Shlomo Mofaz; and “Former Head of Intelligence, Mossad” – with Zohar Palti
Former Head of Counter-terrorism Analysis, IDF and Former Head of Intelligence, Mossad dive into their extensive careers in Israeli defense forces, sharing insights on intelligence, relationships with neighboring countries, role of intelligence in Intifadas, Israel's perspective on the Lebanon War, dealing with threats from Hezbollah and Hamas, and the pressure and power of their responsibilities.

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 13min
“Sayeret Matkal: Israel’s Top-Secret Elite Commando Unit” – with Aviram Halevi
SummaryLt. Col. (ret.) Aviram Halevi (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Israel’s top secret commando unit, Sayeret Matkal. Aviram formerly served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sayeret Matkal. What You’ll LearnIntelligence
The origins of Sayeret Matkal
Collaboration across Israeli intelligence
Operation Spring of Youth & the Entebbe Raid
Intelligence & hostage retrieval
Reflections
The value of teamwork
No room for fear
And much, much more …Episode NotesThis week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined by Aviram Halevi, former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s top-secret elite commando unit. Aviram served over two decades in various branches of Israeli intelligence, and recently co-wrote the book Sayeret Matkal: The Greatest Operations of Israel's Elite Commandos. Andrew and Aviram discuss the origins and history of the unit, including the stories of some of Sayeret Matkal’s most notable operations. And… Sayeret Matkal’s motto is “Who Dares Wins” – A motto first used by Britain’s Special Air Service during World War II. Since then, 11 other elite special forces units have also adopted the saying.Quotes of the Week“What makes [Sayeret Matkal] so unique? The fact is that these people, and you mentioned that before, we are not rambos and there is no ramboism in the unit in Sayeret Matkal. On the contrary, the basic building block of the Sayeret is the team. The team is what you're kind of imprinted with once you get drafted. And this will be your designation forever. I'm team Raz. Raz was my commander, and my soldiers are team Aviram for the rest of their lives.” – Aviram Halevi.Resources SURFACE SKIM*SpyCasts*
The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War with Uri Bar-Joseph (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
Israeli Military Intelligence with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (2022)
Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior with Ric Prado (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
Massacre at the 1972 Olympic Games, National Park Service (2023) [Short article]
What Is Sayeret Matkal, Israel's Special Forces Unit Set For Hostage Rescue Operation In Gaza?v, YouTube (2023) [7 min. video]
Entebbe Raid, Encyclopedia Brittanica (n.d.) [Short encyclopedia entry]
DEEPER DIVEBooks
Sayeret Matkal: The Greatest Operations of Israel's Elite Commandos, A. Shur & A. Halevi (Skyhorse, 2023)
No Mission Is Impossible: The Death-Defying Missions of the Israeli Special Forces, M. Bar-Zohar & N. Mishal (Ecco, 2016)
Operation Thunderbolt: Flight 139 and the Raid on Entebbe Airport, the Most Audacious Hostage Rescue Mission in History, S. David (Little, Brown and Company, 2015)
Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team, G. Jonas (Simon & Schuster, 2005)
Video
Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story (2012)
One Day in September (1999)
Primary Sources
Entebbe Protocols (1976) [Rabin, Allon, Peres, etc.]
Ambassador Dinitz and Secretary Kissinger (June 30, 1976)
Ambassador Dinitz and Secretary Kissinger (July 5, 1976)
Uganda, Kenya Dispute (1976)
Amin Says Uganda Retains Right to Reply to the Raid (1976)
Speech by Ugandan Prime Minister on the 40th Anniversary of Entebbe (2016)
*Wildcard Resource*Elite commando units like Sayeret Matkal, while not as focused on intelligence, go back as far as military history. To read about the special forces of antiquity, check out Persia’s The Immortals, Byzantine’s Tagma, and Rome’s Extraordinarii
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Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 33min
BONUS Episode: Spy Valley – An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal: Panel Discussion
Welcome to a very special bonus episode of SpyCast, coming to you directly from the stage of the International Spy Museum. Last month, we hosted a live panel discussion in collaboration with our friends at Goat Rodeo who produced the new podcast, Spy Valley: An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal, a series by Project Brazen and PRX. The riveting series tells the true story of James Harper, a Silicon Valley engineer turned spy who sold nuclear secrets to the Soviet Bloc. The series takes listeners on a journey of nuclear spying, technology theft, and double agents, with intelligence that might still help Moscow in a nuclear exchange today. Tune in to all six episodes of Spy Valley NOW to learn more! This live panel features moderator Sharon Weinberger, the national security and foreign policy editor at The Wall Street Journal, featuring Zach Dorfman, investigative journalist and host of Spy Valley; John Gibbons, who headed the United States Attorney's prosecution team in the case against James Harper; Dr. Raymond J. Batvins, Former Supervisory Special Agent and Counterintelligence Course Instructor at the Institute of World Politics; and Dr. Vince Houghton, Director of the National Cryptologic Museum and former historian at SPY. They’ll explore how the tech capital of the world became a hotbed for Soviet Bloc spies and what James Harper’s betrayal of his country has meant for modern day warfare.Thank you to our friends and collaborators at Goat Rodeo, Project Brazen, and PRX for their support of this program. Listen to the series here or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 14min
“The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War” – with Uri Bar-Joseph
Uri Bar-Joseph, an author and professor emeritus at Haifa University, discusses the intelligence failure of the Yom Kippur War. Topics include how Israel failed to predict the war, the role of Egyptian spy Ashraf Marwan, Israeli intelligence post-war, and Israeli leadership's accountability. They also talk about learning from mistakes, national trauma, and more.