AFIO Podcast

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.

AFIO Now Presents: Victor Cha

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 Director of CIA’s National Clandestine Service and Intelligence Professor at two colleges.  Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: Vince Houghton

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! Recorded 20 Nov 2020.  Interviewer: David Priess, PhD, former CIA Analyst, PDB Briefer, and author. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. 

AFIO Now Presents: Martin Faga

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.

AFIO Now Presents: Bruce Klingner

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 Operations Officer.