AFIO Podcast

James M. Scott, co-author with Jack Carr, of "Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Story of the War on Terror." A behind-the-scenes account of a mission and a fight that changed America. It was the event that ushered in the War on Terror. And it shows the pitfalls of American hubris, overreach, and irresponsible military intervention. Paints the entire picture of mind-boggling events before, during, and after the Beirut Bombing, from ancient history to present day. The authors tell the story through voices of Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers who endured the two-year “peacekeeping” operation. We also experience the tragedy through the president, generals, and policymakers back in Washington. Another sad chapter in the Middle East's centuries old internecine struggle among its inhabitants and the price America pays for problematic policies despite history and seemingly dismissed lessons owing as much to hubris and breathtaking naivete.

Interview of Thursday, 12 December 2024. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President. 

Michael "Mickey" Bergman, the CEO of Global Reach and the Vice President and Executive Director of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. He is also the author (with Ellis Henican) of "In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad."

Bergman is responsible for the negotiations that brought many high-profile prisoners home, including Brittney Griner, Danny Fenster, Otto Warmbier, and Trevor Reed. In the Shadows details his never-before-told stories inside the secret negotiations to free Americans from some of the world’s most repressive countries, including North Korea, Russia, Hamas, and more.

Interview of Thursday, 26 November 2024. Host: AFIO President James Hughes, a former senior CIA Operations Officer. 

Author, Jesse Fink talks with AFIO President, James Hughes about his new book, "The Eagle in the Mirror: The Greatest Spy Story Never Told" on Charles Howard "Dick" Ellis, MI6's Top Agent in America During World War II. In search of war hero, master spy, and alleged traitor Charles Howard "Dick" Ellis.

Interview of Tuesday, 1 Oct 2024. Host: AFIO President James Hughes, a former senior CIA Operations Officer.

Patrick K. O'Donnell, military historian and author, on his new book "The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations" released 7 May 2024. 

Interview of Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Host: James Hughes. 

Joseph Keogh PhD, former CIA Science & Technology Executive and Disguise Expert, discusses his new book "Creating Mission Impact: Essential Tradecraft for Innovators at CIA and Beyond" co-authored with Joe Ball and Greg Moore. 
Interviewed: Thursday, 24 October 2024. Host: James Hughes. Interviewer: Christopher J. Parker.

Author Barry Werth discusses his book, Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War with AFIO President, Jim Hughes. They discuss the remarkable true story of the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, John Downey, Jr., a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned for twenty-one years. The interview runs 28 minutes with several Q&As.

Interview of Thursday, 1 Aug 2024. Host and Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes.

Barry Broman, author, producer, photographer, former Marine, CIA Clandestine Service Officer, Station Chief, and Diplomat discusses his career with AFIO President, James Hughes. Broman details his experience as a Marine fighting in Vietnam, joining the CIA, serving as Chief of Station, and supervising an international paramilitary project in support of the Cambodian resistance to Vietnamese invaders. Tune in today to listen to Barry Broman and James Hughes discuss the fascinating people he met, places he has been, and his visits to little-known and rarely seen places like the Naga Hills on the India-Burma border. 

Interviewed on: Thursday, 11 July 2024. Host and Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes, a former senior CIA Operations Officer.

MG Charles Cleveland, US Army (Ret) and former Director of Operations and Military Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, discusses his long and fascinating career in the intelligence community with former senior officer of NGA and ODNI, Jennifer Daniel. 

Interview: Monday, 1 July 2024. Host: James Hughes. Interviewer: Jennifer Daniel. 

Lillian Wang, TV & Film Writer, Lawyer, Former CIA Clandestine Service Officer, discusses her impressive career trajectory with AFIO President Jim Hughes. After immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, she mastered the language and customs and excelled in school.  Lillian joined the CIA and trained as a Clandestine Services officer, serving many years here and abroad, resigning for family reasons and obtaining a law degree. She then shifted to a career in TV and Movies as a writer and subject matter expert on CIA, the IC, espionage, and spying to bring accuracy to productions for which she has been hired. She gives career advice, explains some of her CIA training, and describes her satisfaction with working in the agency. 

Interview: Thursday, 20 June 2024. Hosted by AFIO President Jim Hughes. 

Author, former NSA, and CIA officer Alma Katsu discusses her upcoming book series The Spy Who Vanished - a realistic look at where intelligence agencies are in the 21st century. 

Interview: Monday, 17 June 2024. Host and Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes.