AFIO Podcast

AFIO Now Presents: Carmen Medina

Carmen Medina, former CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence and coauthor of "Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within" (O'Reilly, 2014), discusses how she came to be recruited by CIA, the role of her education, and leaning into the male-dominated CIA culture to make her voice heard. We hear her perspective on power and how she pioneered new ways of operating in a vast organization. Recorded 19 Feb 2021.  Interviewer: David Priess, PhD, former CIA Analyst, PDB Briefer, and author. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: David Robarge

In this episode, CIA Historian Dr. David Robarge discusses the complexities of counterintelligence, moles, penetrations, double agents, deep cover, and the world of James Angleton. He also provides a quick survey of the extent of foreign and domestic espionage. The interview closes with tips on how scholars, researchers, students, and curious members of the public may use CIA online resources to learn more about intelligence and CIA history, including many assessments of recent events. Recorded 16 Oct 2020.  Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Caryn Wagner

In this episode, Caryn Wagner discusses her experience serving as Undersecretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, at the Department of Homeland Security. Discussion topics include the complexities of domestic terrorism, Fusion Centers, and intelligence sharing. Recorded 29 Jan 2021.  Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Stevel Vogel

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 critical Soviet telecommunication lines. The plan known in the U.S. as "Operation Gold," was aided by our UK intelligence allies, which called it "Operation Stopwatch." Vogel illuminates the difficulties, risks of exposure, betrayals, and benefits gained from the audacious and ultimately successful covert operation. Recorded 28 Jan 2021. Interviewer: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: Vince Houghton Part II

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 technology into Soviet or German hands and our misplaced national sense of superiority and invincibility. Recorded 30 Dec 2020. Interviewer: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: Joseph Augustyn Part II

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 US. Recorded 7 Dec 2020. Interviewer: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Linda Millis

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: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Jack Devine

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 CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Everette Jordan

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 provides many pointers for young people considering careers in the IC. Recorded 30 Oct. 2020. Interviewer: Deborah Bonanni, former Chief of Staff, NSA, and AFIO Board Member. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: Larry Loftis

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 tactics in Madrid. Recorded 2 Feb 2021. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.