AFIO Podcast
The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) is a non-profit, non-political, educational association for current and former intelligence professionals and supporters of the US Intelligence Community. Part of our mission is to foster an understanding of the important role of intelligence in national security and to nurture student interest in careers across the many US intelligence agencies. To this end, the channel features podcast versions of our AFIO Now episodes - a series of recorded interviews and presentations that features experts, historians, and officers from across the US Intelligence Community who have fascinating stories to tell.
Episodes
Author, producer, and photographer Barry Broman on his new novel: The Spy from Sukhumvit Road. The former Marine, CIA Clandestine Service Officer, Station Chief, and Diplomat, discusses this captivating historical novel with AFIO President James Hughes. His latest historical novel continues the story from Broman’s first novel, "The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice." Protagonist CIA Case Officer Richard “Rick” Blayne returns to Thailand...
Mark M. Lowenthal PhD, Former Dep Asst SecState for Intelligence, discusses his new book, "Vigilance Is Not Enough: A History of United States Intelligence" [Yale Univ Press, May 2025] with AFIO President James Hughes. The interview runs 23 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Interview of Tuesday, 15 July 2025. Hosted by AFIO President James Hughes.
Sheetal Patel, Former Assistant Director for CIA’s Transnational and Technology Mission Center discusses Counterintelligence and Technology challenges facing the U.S. with AFIO board member, Fran Moore, Former CIA Senior Executive in Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence.
Interview of Monday, 14 July 2025. Interviewer: Fran Moore, Former CIA Senior Executive in Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence. Host: James Hug...
David Robarge PhD, CIA Chief Historian, on "The History of U.S. Intelligence 1975-2025" with AFIO President, James Hughes. He joined CIA in 1989 and worked as an analyst in the Directorate of Intelligence. After earning a PhD in American History from Columbia, teaching at Columbia and working for banker David Rockefeller and at the Gannett Center for Media Studies at Columbia, he moved to CIA's History Staff in 1996 and was appoint...
Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of HR, discusses "Intelligence Community Reform" with AFIO president, James Hughes. The questions discussed are: "Why can't we ever seem to get IC reform right?" "What is the meaning of 'the culture of a work environment'?" "Why are bad bosses so important?" Types of reformers: 1) people that want procedural reform; 2) people we urge we get back to mission or change our priorities; 3) those who want to ...
David Robarge PhD, CIA Chief Historian, on "The Soldier-Statesman in the Secret World: George C. Marshall and Intelligence in War and Peace" George C. Marshall is best known as the Allies’ “organizer of victory” during World War II and steward of the namesake economic recovery program in postwar Western Europe. Far less well-known is Marshall’s extensive engagement with the world of intelligence during those years. In his Army lead...
AFIO Now presents a special episode with Norman Roule, former National Intelligence Manager, ODNI; former Division Chief, CIA Operations Officer, Chief of Station.
In this AFIO Special Edition episode Norm Roule and Jim Hughes discuss recent attacks by US and Israel on Iran. Questions covered: Imagine the Supreme Leader is meeting with his inner security circle. What are their priorities at this moment? Are they achievable? And wha...
Author Alexander Rose PhD discusses his book, "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring" with AFIO President, James Hughes.
"Fascinating…. tells how the work of the spies proved to be the tipping point in the summer of 1778, helping Washington begin breaking the stalemate with the British…. [and] brings to light their crucial help in winning American independence."—Dallas Morning News
"After working on Washington,...
Leon Carroll Jr, co-author (with Mark Harmon) on "Ghosts of Panama: A Strongman Out of Control, A Murdered Marine, and the Special Agents Caught in the Middle of an Invasion." The warm relationship in 1989 between US and Gen. Manuel Noriega has eroded dangerously. President George Bush declares Noriega a drug trafficker and a rigger of elections causing intimidation on streets for U.S. personnel. The nation becomes a powder keg.
Na...
Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of HR, on his book Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Discover how great leaders draw out the best of human nature. That our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands constant innovation. The enemy of better leadership is uncertainty deeply buried in the minds of your workforce. ...
Joseph Finder, author and Russian Studies expert discusses his novel, "The Oligarch's Daughter." It is a breakneck thriller that marries the dynastic opulence of Succession with the tense and disorienting spycraft of The Americans.
Interview of Tuesday, 13 March 2025. Interviewer and Host: AFIO President James Hughes.
Nicholas Reynolds PhD discussing his 2022 book "Need to Know: World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence" with AFIO President, James Hughes.
Interview of Tuesday, 4 March 2025. Interviewer and Host: AFIO President James Hughes.
Douglas Waller, Historian, Author, and Foreign Correspondent, discusses his new book "The Determined Spy: The Turbulent Life and Times of CIA Pioneer Frank Wisner" with AFIO President, James Hughes. Frank Wisner was one of the most powerful men in 1950s Washington, though few knew it. Reporting directly to senior U.S. officials--his work largely hidden from Congress and the public--Wisner masterminded some of the CIA’s most controv...
Leon Carroll Jr, co-author (with Mark Harmon) on "Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor" A U.S. naval counterintelligence officer working to safeguard Pearl Harbor; a Japanese spy ordered to Hawaii to gather information on the American fleet. On December 7, 1941, their hidden stories are exposed by a morning of bloodshed that would change the world forever. Scrutini...
Author, Joby Warrick discusses his 2020 book "RED LINE on The Unraveling of Syria and America's Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World" with AFIO President, James Hughes.
Interview of Monday, 27 January 2025. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President
James M. Scott, co-author with Jack Carr, of "Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Story of the War on Terror." A behind-the-scenes account of a mission and a fight that changed America. It was the event that ushered in the War on Terror. And it shows the pitfalls of American hubris, overreach, and irresponsible military intervention. Paints the entire picture of mind-boggling events before, during, and...
Michael "Mickey" Bergman, the CEO of Global Reach and the Vice President and Executive Director of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. He is also the author (with Ellis Henican) of "In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad."
Bergman is responsible for the negotiations that brought many high-profile prisoners home, including Brittney Griner, Danny Fenster, Otto Warmbier, and...
Author, Jesse Fink talks with AFIO President, James Hughes about his new book, "The Eagle in the Mirror: The Greatest Spy Story Never Told" on Charles Howard "Dick" Ellis, MI6's Top Agent in America During World War II. In search of war hero, master spy, and alleged traitor Charles Howard "Dick" Ellis.
Interview of Tuesday, 1 Oct 2024. Host: AFIO President James Hughes, a fo...
Patrick K. O'Donnell, military historian and author, on his new book "The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations" released 7 May 2024.
Interview of Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Host: James Hughes.
Joseph Keogh PhD, former CIA Science & Technology Executive and Disguise Expert, discusses his new book "Creating Mission Impact: Essential Tradecraft for Innovators at CIA and Beyond" co-authored with Joe Ball and Greg Moore. Interviewed: Thursday, 24 October 2024. Host: James Hughes. Interviewer: Christopher J. Parker.
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