Podcast Episodes

Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations

It's no secret that China has recently stepped up political and military pressure on the democratically governed island of Taiwan. But then, there are the Chinese Communist Party's covert efforts: Re…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Introducing Targeted

Targeted uncovers harrowing stories of people who have been singled out and systematically dismantled—whether for political reasons, personal vendettas, or simply for being in the wrong place at the …

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases

Nicholas Eftimiades’ 34 year career in government spanned the CIA, State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He's published three books that examine the structure, methodology and operati…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Remembering The CIA’s Mind Games

Sidney Gottlieb was one of the CIA’s star chemists during the Cold War. As head of MKUltra, he ran a brazen—and deadly—program aimed at mind control. 

Gottlieb and fellow scientists tried to keep the …

Published on 5 months ago

From Covert to Overt: Valerie Plame on political retaliation

Valerie Plame’s clandestine life made headlines in 2003 after her CIA cover was leaked to the press. Her husband, an ambassador, had gone to Niger to investigate whether yellowcake uranium had been t…

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

Eyes on The Ground: The National Resistance Front in Afghanistan

After the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan, the National Resistance Front rose up to defy them. We spoke with their leader Ahmad Massoud, who has overseen hundreds of military and intelligenc…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo

He was an American spy before an American spy agency existed. NFL player Ernest Cuneo, a little known first generation Italian American, worked with British intelligence to convince the United States…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Debriefing from the Ukrainian Front

A fourth year of war in Ukraine begins. But for Lt. Col. Kyrylo Berkal, who’s been fighting since Russia first invaded in 2014, the battle for his country has raged much longer. Now, he’s second in c…

Published on 6 months ago

How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy?

She’s known for helping to free people through the Underground Railroad, but Harriet Tubman was also a spy during the Civil War. And with the intelligence she collected, the Maryland native became th…

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

What's next for Kim Jong Un?

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 suppo…

Published on 6 months, 2 weeks ago