Episode Details

Summary

Leon 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 Learn

Intelligence

• 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 DIVE

Books

• 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