AFIO Podcast

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. 

AFIO Now Presents: Seth Jones

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. 

AFIO Now Presents: Joseph Augustyn

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 President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: Bruce Riedel

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 President and former CIA Operations Officer.

AFIO Now Presents: David Priess

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 Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer.