Podcast appearances and mentions of marc polymeropoulos

Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes worlds of business, government and Brexit-era turmoil.In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O'Brien sits down with Amber to reflect on the decisions, mistakes and tensions that shaped her time in office. From her alliance with Theresa May to her public resignation from Boris Johnson's Cabinet, Amber offers an unusually frank look at what it means to hold power- and when to walk away from it.She speaks candidly about the human cost of leadership, the moral complexity of the Home Office, and the fallout of political compromise. And she reflects on what it takes to recover- personally and professionally- from being publicly vilified.Grounded, introspective and refreshingly sincere, Amber revisits the pressure points of her political life, the people who've shaped her, and why disagreement doesn't have to mean disloyalty.She also shares why she's returned to public conversation with The Crisis Room- a new podcast co-hosted with journalist Mark Urban and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos. Each week, the team unpicks the biggest crises shaping the UK and the world. With insider perspectives drawn from the gritty underbelly of investigative reporting, the corridors of Westminster and the shadowy realm of intelligence, they break down what's really happening behind the headlines, and what's at stake for our future.Listen to The Crisis Room here

Original air date: June 24, 2024 Former CIA senior intelligence service officer Daniel Hoffman joins Marc Polymeropoulos to reveal the intersection of an amazing spy story, a heartwarming love story, a family's resilience in overcoming tragedy, and what ultimately matters most in life.  Don't miss this special episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: June 24, 2024 Former CIA senior intelligence service officer Daniel Hoffman joins Marc Polymeropoulos to reveal the intersection of an amazing spy story, a heartwarming love story, a family's resilience in overcoming tragedy, and what ultimately matters most in life.  Don't miss this special episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats are sounding the alarm as Trump's tariffs are hurting Americans. Former senior adviser to President Biden, Mitch Landrieu, joins The Weekend to discuss how Democrats are ramping up their efforts to win back the working class. Plus, Trump's first major foreign trip. He plans on stopping in the Middle East to talk about a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. MSNBC national security and intelligence analyst Marc Polymeropoulos and Ambassador Michael Carpenter join The Weekend to discuss that and the tariff war as trade talks continue between the U.S. and China.

Signalgate is an intelligence travesty. But the problems extend beyond the masterclass in how not to handle sensitive government secrets. Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos joins David Rothkopf and Riley Fessler to break down this stunning mistake from our most senior government officials and why the cascading effects will be even worse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Signalgate is an intelligence travesty. But the problems extend beyond the masterclass in how not to handle sensitive government secrets. Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos joins David Rothkopf and Riley Fessler to break down this stunning mistake from our most senior government officials and why the cascading effects will be even worse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Polymeropoulos on that Oval Office Disaster and the Trump Admin's Abandonment of Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no way to sugarcoat it — the Trump/Zelensky meeting was a disaster. The betrayal of Ukraine is confirmed, and the administration is past the point of no return. Doug Lute, Rosa Brooks, and Marc Polymeropoulos join David Rothkopf to break down this train wreck of a meeting and what it means for the future of US foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no way to sugarcoat it — the Trump/Zelensky meeting was a disaster. The betrayal of Ukraine is confirmed, and the administration is past the point of no return. Doug Lute, Rosa Brooks, and Marc Polymeropoulos join David Rothkopf to break down this train wreck of a meeting and what it means for the future of US foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Matt break down Trump's sweeping pardons for January 6th rioters, including violent offenders, and what it means for the rule of law and rising political violence in the US Then, the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime has Syria at a crossroads—will it descend into chaos or find a path to stability? Plus, they explore Marc Polymeropoulos' insights on opportunities for the US in Syria, along with the roles of Iran, Russia, and Turkey. Finally, how the CIA and Ukrainian intelligence quietly forged one of America's most valuable partnerships. Watch us on YouTube! https://youtu.be/n3SCep-l9Y0 You can listen to our final episode of Extra Shot here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-shot-video-120721511 Articles discussed in today's episode "Trump pardons upend massive Jan. 6 prosecution by freeing rioters and dismissing cases" by Richer, Kunzelman & Khalil | AP News: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-trump-pardons-jan-6-f6e23bcd84eaed672318c88f05286767 "Trump's imminent pardons will green-light another wave of far-right violence" by David Neiwert | The Spyhop: https://davidneiwert.substack.com/p/trumps-imminent-pardons-will-green "Syria's New Era & Its Opportunities for the US" by Marc Polymeropoulos | New Lines Magazine: https://newlinesmag.com/argument/syrias-new-era-and-its-opportunities-for-the-us/ "The Syria Fiasco As Seen From Moscow" by Sergei Melkonian | Carnegie Endowment Diwan: https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2024/12/the-syria-fiasco-as-seen-from-moscow "How the CIA and Ukrainian intelligence secretly forged a deep partnership" by Patrick Reevell | ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/International/cia-helped-rebuild-ukraine-intelligence-russia-invasion/story?id=116909361 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird

Original air date: January 22, 2024 Has the US response to attacks on our troops and ships, been adequate? Are the attacks against Houthis too little too late...or the start down a slippery slope to another military quagmire? What if our aid to Ukraine dries up? Is the Pentagon losing focus on the China threat? Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf discuss these issues and more with Politico's Lara Seligman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: January 22, 2024 Has the US response to attacks on our troops and ships, been adequate? Are the attacks against Houthis too little too late...or the start down a slippery slope to another military quagmire? What if our aid to Ukraine dries up? Is the Pentagon losing focus on the China threat? Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf discuss these issues and more with Politico's Lara Seligman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President Biden prepares to leave office, one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of his administration remains unresolved: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Professor of Strategic Studies and historian Dr. Philips O'Brien joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the successes and failures of Biden's policy in Ukraine, the challenges that remain, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President Biden prepares to leave office, one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of his administration remains unresolved: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Professor of Strategic Studies and historian Dr. Philips O'Brien joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the successes and failures of Biden's policy in Ukraine, the challenges that remain, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran, Turkey, Russia, Israel, and the US already working to secure their interests in Syria while the future of the country hangs in the balance. Marc Polymeropoulos and Charles Lister join David Rothkopf to break down what this new “great game” means for the new Syrian government and why this flashpoint is so pivotal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran, Turkey, Russia, Israel, and the US already working to secure their interests in Syria while the future of the country hangs in the balance. Marc Polymeropoulos and Charles Lister join David Rothkopf to break down what this new “great game” means for the new Syrian government and why this flashpoint is so pivotal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: November 14, 2023 While men have historically dominated the intelligence community, women have gained a significant presence in top organizations in recent years. Despite this, scandals and lack of parity in top positions have made progress uneven. Former CIA intelligence officer Christina Hillsberg joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to share her expertise on women in espionage, intelligence spycraft, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: November 14, 2023 While men have historically dominated the intelligence community, women have gained a significant presence in top organizations in recent years. Despite this, scandals and lack of parity in top positions have made progress uneven. Former CIA intelligence officer Christina Hillsberg joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to share her expertise on women in espionage, intelligence spycraft, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate security consultant Jeremy Hurewitz (@Selllikeaspy) joins Marc Polymeropoulos (@mpolymer) to discuss his new book "Sell Like a Spy: the Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage.” Jeremy discusses the power of relationships, his journey in writing the book, how active listening is a key skill - plus some very important predictions on where Juan Soto ends up (his beloved Yankees or Marc's Red Sox?). A wonderful and positive chat that listeners will enjoy.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate security consultant Jeremy Hurewitz (@Selllikeaspy) joins Marc Polymeropoulos (@mpolymer) to discuss his new book "Sell Like a Spy: the Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage.” Jeremy discusses the power of relationships, his journey in writing the book, how active listening is a key skill - plus some very important predictions on where Juan Soto ends up (his beloved Yankees or Marc's Red Sox?). A wonderful and positive chat that listeners will enjoy.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marissa's guest is Marc Polymeropoulos, the highly decorated former intelligence service operative and host of the podcast “Above Average Intelligence.” Marc offers some frightening (and some reassuring) insights into what a Trump versus a Harris win could mean for the world, and the real dangers of Elon Musk and Republicans pandering to Putin. In an attempt to chill out, they also discuss the merits of Greek pastitsio, which you'd better not call Greek lasagna.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin tick? Dr. Ken Dekleva joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to share his answer. Dr. Dekleva shares his experience helping profile world leaders for the US government, including how different US presidents utilized these leadership profiles in high-stakes summits and negotiations. Dr. Dekleva also discusses the critical role played by Regional Medical Officers overseas. on women in espionage, intelligence spycraft, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin tick? Dr. Ken Dekleva joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to share his answer. Dr. Dekleva shares his experience helping profile world leaders for the US government, including how different US presidents utilized these leadership profiles in high-stakes summits and negotiations. Dr. Dekleva also discusses the critical role played by Regional Medical Officers overseas. on women in espionage, intelligence spycraft, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this conversation, Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer,  discusses the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar—the mastermind of the October 7 massacre. He explains the potential shifts in Hamas's leadership structure, future negotiations for hostages being held by the terrorist group, what it could mean for Hamas's coordination with Hezbollah, and the broader impact on the Middle East Follow Ron and Marc on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/Mpolymer Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: November 27, 2023 Israeli officials have predicted two more months of fighting. With such a lengthy campaign ahead, is the IDF pursuing the best strategy? Former deputy director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center Darrell Blocker joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to assess Israel's approach so far and what could be on the horizon for the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: November 27, 2023 Israeli officials have predicted two more months of fighting. With such a lengthy campaign ahead, is the IDF pursuing the best strategy? Former deputy director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center Darrell Blocker joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to assess Israel's approach so far and what could be on the horizon for the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one page, Israel was able to take thousands of Hezbollah operatives off the battlefield. When Hezbollah feared its modern communications network had been compromised, the Lebanese terrorist organization decided to dole out old-school pagers and two-way radios, hoping they would be more secure. In an operation more reminiscent of James Bond than reality, Israeli […]

With one page, Israel was able to take thousands of Hezbollah operatives off the battlefield. When Hezbollah feared its modern communications network had been compromised, the Lebanese terrorist organization decided to dole out old-school pagers and two-way radios, hoping they would be more secure. In an operation more reminiscent of James Bond than reality, Israeli intelligence managed to infiltrate Hezbollah's supply line and implant explosives throughout Hezbollah's new “secure” communications network. The result? A crippled adversary, boosted Israeli morale, and all with historically low civilian casualties. Marc Polymeropoulos is a nonresident senior fellow in the Forward Defense practice of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Polymeropoulos worked for twenty-six years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) before retiring in July 2019 at the Senior Intelligence Service level. He was one of the CIA's most highly decorated operations officers. He is the author of Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA (HarperCollins, 2021).Read the transcript here.

The pager explosions throughout Lebanon shocked the region and the world. As more details come to light, it's clear that the attack was the result of an extensive and unprecedented Israeli intelligence operation. So how did they do it, and what comes next? Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and regional expert Kim Ghattas join Kori Schake, Ed Luce, and David Rothkopf to answer these questions and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pager explosions throughout Lebanon shocked the region and the world. As more details come to light, it's clear that the attack was the result of an extensive and unprecedented Israeli intelligence operation. So how did they do it, and what comes next? Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and regional expert Kim Ghattas join Kori Schake, Ed Luce, and David Rothkopf to answer these questions and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid join Andrew in a debate over the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mark and Jeff are longtime friends and colleagues with very different viewpoints of what truly happened on November 22nd, 1963.  What You'll Learn Intelligence The lasting questions surrounding the Kennedy assassination Lee Harvey Oswald's intelligence connections The Warren Commission and the JFK Assassination Records The strangest theories Mark and Jeff have heard, and the most plausible explanations of who killed President Kennedy Reflections Public distrust and the search for truth Reactions and responses to tragedy And much, much more … Quotes of the Week  ”That's why I think they probably have something to hide. Because it doesn't make sense otherwise … If they had access to that kind of straightforward story, we would get that.” – Jefferson Morley. Resources  SURFACE SKIM *SpyCasts* The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid (2024) Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024) Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023) The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022) *Beginner Resources* Lee Harvey Oswald, Britannica (2024) [Short biography] JFK Files: What we're learning from newly released Kennedy assassination records, CBS News, YouTube (2022) [6 min. video] Kennedy Assassination Timeline, The Sixth Floor Museum (n.d.) [Timeline of events] DEEPER DIVE Books The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government, D. Talbot (Harper Perennial, 2016) JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, J. W. Douglass (Touchstone, 2010) Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA, J. Morley (University Press of Kansas, 2008) Primary Sources  President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act (1992) Select Committee on Assassinations Report (1978) Warren Commission Report (1964)  LBJ Address to Congress (1963) Interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963) JFK Autopsy Report (1963) The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection  *Wildcard Resource* Test how you would do in Kennedy's shoes by playing 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 – A two-player board game that tests your quick-thinking strategy and conflict resolution skills.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary Jefferson Morley and Mark Zaid join Andrew in a debate over the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mark and Jeff are longtime friends and colleagues with very different viewpoints of what truly happened on November 22nd, 1963.  What You'll Learn Intelligence The lasting questions surrounding the Kennedy assassination Lee Harvey Oswald's intelligence connections The Warren Commission and the JFK Assassination Records The strangest theories Mark and Jeff have heard, and the most plausible explanations of who killed President Kennedy Reflections Public distrust and the search for truth Reactions and responses to tragedy And much, much more … Quotes of the Week  ”That's why I think they probably have something to hide. Because it doesn't make sense otherwise … If they had access to that kind of straightforward story, we would get that.” – Jefferson Morley. Resources  SURFACE SKIM *SpyCasts* The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid (2024) Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024) Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023) The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022) *Beginner Resources* Lee Harvey Oswald, Britannica (2024) [Short biography] JFK Files: What we're learning from newly released Kennedy assassination records, CBS News, YouTube (2022) [6 min. video] Kennedy Assassination Timeline, The Sixth Floor Museum (n.d.) [Timeline of events] DEEPER DIVE Books The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government, D. Talbot (Harper Perennial, 2016) JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, J. W. Douglass (Touchstone, 2010) Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA, J. Morley (University Press of Kansas, 2008) Primary Sources  President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act (1992) Select Committee on Assassinations Report (1978) Warren Commission Report (1964)  LBJ Address to Congress (1963) Interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963) JFK Autopsy Report (1963) The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection  *Wildcard Resource* Test how you would do in Kennedy's shoes by playing 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 – A two-player board game that tests your quick-thinking strategy and conflict resolution skills.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: April 22, 2024 With conflicts raging in Ukraine, Gaza, and beyond, the job of covering conflict and national security is more important than ever. But how do journalists provide accurate and reliable coverage? CNN national security correspondent Kylie Atwood joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the unique challenges of our current national security climate and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: April 22, 2024 With conflicts raging in Ukraine, Gaza, and beyond, the job of covering conflict and national security is more important than ever. But how do journalists provide accurate and reliable coverage? CNN national security correspondent Kylie Atwood joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the unique challenges of our current national security climate and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the intense focus on Gaza, other critical issues in Israel have slipped into the background. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mark Mazzetti joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the lack of coverage on settler violence in the West Bank and how Israel's rightward shift poses significant challenges both domestically and internationally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the intense focus on Gaza, other critical issues in Israel have slipped into the background. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mark Mazzetti joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the lack of coverage on settler violence in the West Bank and how Israel's rightward shift poses significant challenges both domestically and internationally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former CIA senior intelligence service officer Daniel Hoffman joins Marc Polymeropoulos to reveal the intersection of an amazing spy story, a heartwarming love story, a family's resilience in overcoming tragedy, and what ultimately matters most in life. Don't miss this special episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: July 19, 2023 The US-Israel relationship is in a very difficult place and things may be getting worse. To discuss where we are and where we are going a former senior Israeli diplomat turned highly regarded commentator, Alon Pinkas, joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf for a discussion that tries to separate spin and facts from outright lies. Join us.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: July 3, 2023 On this week's episode of the DSR, co-host Marc Polymeropoulos is joined by guest James Lawler, a former CIA operations officer for 25 years and former member of the CIA's Senior Intelligence Service where he specialized in the recruitment of foreign spies. Don't miss their discussion on the Iranian nuclear program and the qualities that make an effective CIA recruiter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: June 26, 2023 The dust is still settling from Yevgeny Prigozhin's march on Moscow that gripped the world and rocked the Kremlin. Many questions remain but one thing is certain. In the wake of Prigozhin's bold if seemingly ill-fated challenge to the authority of Russia's Ministry of Defense, Vladimir Putin is weaker today in the eyes of Russians, Ukrainians and the world. We discuss the consequences of that change with the Washington Post's Shane Harris, former CIA Moscow hand John Sipher, co-host former CIA operations officer Marc Polymeropoulos and co-host David Rothkopf. Join us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House Intelligence Committee recently released a report on the investigation into reports of sexual harassment at the CIA. The findings were not pretty. So what does the agency need to do to protect women at the agency, and why has this problem persisted for so long? Christina Hillsberg joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss this critical issue and why the intelligence community can and must do better.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With conflicts raging in Ukraine, Gaza, and beyond, the job of covering conflict and national security is more important than ever. But how do journalists provide accurate and reliable coverage? CNN national security correspondent Kylie Atwood joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the unique challenges our current national security climate and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigative journalism is difficult enough, but studying Russia and the intelligence community is on another level. Michael Weiss is one of the journalists up to the task. Michael joins Marc Polymeropoulos to break down his latest reporting on Havana Syndrome and takes us on a tour of his investigation and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some elements of US intelligence and special operations are so secretive, we don't even know their names. Adam Gamal lived that life and his new book “The Unit” pulls back the curtain on America's most secret military unit. Adam joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss what is a true American Dream story from Alexandria, Egypt to the pinnacle of the special operations world, and why diversity is a necessary component in defense and intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary Mark Zaid (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss American intelligence and the law. You've heard of a “lawyer to the stars,” Mark is the “lawyer to the spies” What You'll Learn Intelligence The quirks of being a lawyer in this space How the Espionage Act works in practice  The trial of the Rosenbergs The origins of FOIA and its purpose The Legal foundations underpinning espionage and intelligence Reflections Challenging authority  The delicate balance of secrecy And much, much more … Quotes of the Week “I still love working every day, 30 years later, because there's still something new. As much as I fight for declassification and transparency, I will at times also see information and learn of events where I go, “Oh, I get it. Yeah, that stuff cannot be known. That's incredible what we did. That's pretty wild.” – Mark Zaid. Resources  SURFACE SKIM *SpyCasts* Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen with CBS' Major Garrett and Friends (2023) David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023) Havana Syndrome – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid (2023)  How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)  *Beginner Resources* What Is a Whistleblower? Protections, Law, Importance, and Example, W. Kenton, Investopedia (2022) [Short article] What is a Lawyer? American Bar Association (2019) [Short article] Legal System Basics, CrashCourse, YouTube (2015) [8 min. video] DEEPER DIVE Books State of Silence: The Espionage Act and the Rise of America's Secrecy Regime, S. Lebovic (Basic Books, 2023) Ethel Rosenberg, A. Sebba (Griffin, 2022) Spies on Trial: True Tales of Espionage in the Courtroom, C. C. Kuhne (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2019) Primary Sources  A Letter from Aldrich Ames on Polygraph Testing (2000) Whistle Blower Protection Act (1989)   DoD Polygraph Program (1984) National Security Decision Directive 84 (1983) Inspector General Act (1978) Freedom of Information Act (1966)  Administrative Procedure Act (1946)  Espionage Act (1917) *Wildcard Resource* John Adams, a 2008 HBO Mini-Series chronicling the Founding Father's role in early America John Adams, much like Mark, was a lawyer dedicated to the right to representation. Adams, ever dedicated to the honor of his profession, was the only attorney who agreed to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. You can read the whole trial here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With such a heavy focus on the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, other foreign policy priorities have taken a back seat. Syria is one priority that is likely to get worse before it gets better. Director of the Middle East Institute's Syria program Charles Lister joins Marc Polymeropoulos to outline the need for a coherent strategy to deal with Syria, and how the country is primed to explode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times award winning journalist Adam Entous joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss Adam's latest NY Times article chronicling the extraordinary evolution between 2014 until today of the partnership between US and Ukrainian intelligence. From initial efforts by the US to “put in the plumbing,” building personal ties and basic intelligence exchanges, to the CIA remaining on the ground during the Russian invasion and an admission from Ukrainian intelligence that without CIA's targeting help, Kyiv would have fallen, it is an intelligence success story for the ages.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexander Smirnov has showed us that Russian ‘active measures' are even more active than we thought. An FBI informant working with Russian intelligence is no small feat, but the extent of the Kremlin's efforts is even greater. Former CIA officer Alex Finley joins Marc Polymeropoulos to break down how the Russian security threat at home and abroad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump will throw Europe to the wolves, and he's said so himself. The former president has said that he would not defend NATO countries in case of a Russian invasion, shocking our European allies. Yet the story has been little more than a footnote in the US news cycle. Journalist Michael Weiss joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to discuss the profound damage of Trump's statements and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Israel-Hamas conflict has wreaked havoc on civilians in Gaza, but the worst may be yet to come. As international watchdogs warn of potential famine and disease outbreaks, what can the US do to prevent disaster? Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Mick Mulroy joins Marc Polymeropoulos and David Rothkopf to share insight from his recent trip to Israel and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices