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
Steve Vogel, a veteran journalist who reported for The Washington Post for more than two decades, discusses his 2019 book, "Betrayal in Berlin: The True Story of the Cold War's Most Audacious Espionage Operation." Vogel explains the state of US-Soviet relations in 1950s - particularly reflected in the divided city of Berlin - ?and describes CIA's plan to construct a clandestine tunnel into East Berlin to tap into cr...
In this second AFIO Now episode featuring Dr. Houghton - Director of the National Cryptologic Museum - he discusses his 2019 book, "The Nuclear Spies: America's Atomic Intelligence Operation Against Hitler and Stalin," which includes insights into the Alsos Mission, Gen Leslie Groves, Werner Heisenberg, Enrico Fermi, and other scientists who worked on atomic weapons. The interview also discusses the escape of that techn...
AFIO Now presents Joseph Augustyn, who retired from the CIA in 2004 after spending 28 years as a member of the Clandestine Service. In this second episode featuring Mr. Augustyn, he discusses the little known Defector Resettlement Program at CIA. As Director of the Defector Resettlement Center, he frequently briefed Congress on the status of the program and the unique challenges surrounding the high level defectors brought to the U...
Linda Millis, former senior intelligence officer at NSA, CIA, ODNI and current professor at Marymount University. Ms. Millis discusses "Women in Intelligence" - a report conducted by the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. She also highlights the variety of careers available to women in the IC and ways that women can create support networks before and during their careers. Recorded 21 Jan 2021. Interviewer:...
Jack Devine, former CIA Acting Director of Operations, consultant, and author, discusses his new release, "Spymaster's Prism: The Fight against Russian Aggression." This fascinating interview touches on Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ukraine, Russian election influence operation attempts, Robert Hanssen, Aldrich Ames, moles, and traitors. Recorded 5 Feb 2021. Interviewer: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former...
Mr. Jordan discusses his impressive career in the IC, including his decades at NSA and DOD, his creation of the National Virtual Translation Center, and his current "Follow the Money" position at Treasury's Office of Intelligence and Analysis where his group tracks complex foreign and domestic financial transactions to ensure they are not being used to underwrite terrorism or other unlawful activities. Mr. Jordan also p...
Best-selling nonfiction spy author Larry Loftis discusses his latest release, "The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones." The book details the fascinating life of an American-born model, turned OSS spy, who ended up a Spanish Countess. Against the glamorous backdrop of galas and dinner parties, Griffith recruited sub-agents and engaged in deep-cover espionage to counter Nazi...
Victor Cha, former Director for Asian Affairs at the NSC and current Professor and Vice Dean for Faculty and Graduate Affairs at Georgetown University and senior advisor for CSIS. In this episode Mr. Cha discusses the complicated US relationship with North Korea and the many issues the new Biden Administration will likely face when dealing with the dictatorial regime. Recorded 8 Dec 2020. Interviewer: John Sano, former Deputy Direc...
Vince Houghton PhD, Director, National Cryptologic Museum, former Historian/Curator International Spy Museum, gives an entertaining overview of his 2019 book, "Nuking the Moon...and Other Intelligence Themes and Military Plots Left on the Drawing Board." Mr. Houghton reveals some of the wild schemes that almost happened, but were ultimately deemed too dangerous, expensive, ahead of their time, or even certifiably insane! Re...
Mr. Faga discusses his career in the Department of Defense, US Air Force, and the CIA. He also relates his experiences leading both the NRO and later The MITRE Corporation and explains the many technical advances and challenges he has seen in the profession. Recorded 14 Sept 2020. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.
Mr. Klingner, former CIA Deputy Division Chief for Korea and Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundation, discusses the myriad issues facing the incoming Biden administration as it relates to North Korea. Recorded 9 Nov 2020. Interviewer: John Sano, former Deputy Director of CIA’s National Clandestine Service and Intelligence Professor at two colleges. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Oper...
Seth Jones PhD, Director, Transnational Threats Project, CSIS details one of CIA’s most successful operations during the Cold War. Codenamed QRHELPFUL, the Solidarity campaign was vital in establishing a free Poland and undermining the KGB’s global disinformation campaign. Recorded 3 Nov 2020. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.
Joseph Augustyn retired from the CIA in 2004 after spending 28 years as a member of the Clandestine Service. In this episode, Mr. Augustyn discusses his role immediately post-9/11 as CIA joined other agencies and congress in determining how the country would counter newly emerging, asymmetric terrorist threats - specifically the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. Recorded 4 Sept 2020. Host: James Hughes, AFIO Pre...
Bruce Riedel, director of the Brookings Intelligence Project at the Center for Middle East Policy. Mr. Riedel retired in 2006 after 30 years of service at the CIA. He was a senior advisor on South Asia and the Middle East to the last four US Presidents in the staff of the NSC at the White House. Mr. Riedel discusses his background and crucial work while on the NSC during the Iraq War. Recorded 17 Sept 2020. Host: James Hughes, AFIO...
Dr. Priess discusses his service immediately post-9/11 briefing Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller. He also provides insight into "guidelines" briefers received, the tense, important experience, and his motivation to capture some of it in his 2016 book "The President’s Book of Secrets." Recorded 18 Sept 2020. Interviewer: William Richardson, AFIO Board and former CIA Analyst. Host: James ...
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