SpyCast SpyCast

Summary
General Frank McKenzie (Biography, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book, The Melting Point. General McKenzie was the 14th commander of the United States Central Command. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

Combatant commands and their purpose

Leading CENTCOM, Central Command

The role of intelligence in military leadership 

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan


Reflections

Learning from the lessons of history 

The importance and impact of leadership 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“What that leads you to is really, intelligence. It paints that picture and it describes the operational environment within which you can operate. So here's the risk. If you're an aggressive commander … There's a temptation to lean on intelligence to tell you what you want to hear, shape the information … In the back of your mind, you need to recognize, you can't go into it with what I would call confirmation bias.” – General Frank McKenzie.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*Spotlight Resource* 

The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, Kenneth F. McKenzie (Naval Institute Press, 2024)
*SpyCasts*


CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)


David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)


Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)


Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)

*Beginner Resources*


CENTCOM, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2024) [Encyclopedia entry]


Why the Middle East is so important to the US, BBC World Service, YouTube (2024) [10 min. video]


Combatant Commands, U.S. Department of Defense (n.d.) [Brief overviews of the 11 Unified Combatant Commands]

DEEPER DIVE
Primary Sources 


Retirement Ceremony Honors CENTCOM Commander (2022)


U.S. Central Command Statement on the Realignment of the State of Israel (2021)


Memorandum Re: January 2020 Airstrike in Iraq Against Qassem Soleimani (2020)


Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan (2020)


Remarks by President Trump on the Death of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (2019) 


Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986)

*Wildcard Resource*


Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant (1863)

In this famous letter, Lincoln congratulates Major General Grant on his leadership during the Siege of Vicksburg, a critical success for the Union army. Perhaps not often done by a president, Lincoln here admits his strategy was wrong, and praises the intellect and military prowess of Grant. 


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Summary
An expert panel of world leaders gathered at the International Spy Museum to discuss the importance of NATO today and in the future. Panelists included former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, among others. 
What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Threats facing Baltic countries, including Russia

The importance of NATO support for Ukraine

Maintaining stability during political turmoil

NATO’s growth and where it still needs to evolve in the 21st century


Reflections

The power of global partnerships 

The impact of honest leadership 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“In the old days, NATO was kind of a place where everybody did their talking points and then left. But for the first time in a very long time, NATO is more than just a forum. It is a security alliance that is very important to protecting world peace.” – Leon Panetta.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence with Simon Shuster (2024)


CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)


Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)


NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security with David Cattler (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


Why are the Baltic states strategically important for NATO? A. Sytas, Reuters (2023) [Short article]


Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion, BBC (2022) [Short article]


The Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact | History, YouTube (2017) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE
Primary Sources 


Statement by the North Atlantic Council on recent Russian hybrid activities (2024)


Joint letter to DoD for Urgent Ukraine Aid (2024)


Address by the President to Ukrainians at the end of the first day of Russia's attacks (2022) 


Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the situation at the Poland-Belarus border (2021)


Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Estonia (2003)


Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Latvia (2003)


Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Lithuania (2003)


The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

*Wildcard Resource*

Our international panelists in this week’s episode hail from the beautiful countries of Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia. To learn more about the history and culture of these countries, take virtual tours of their national museums or libraries here: 


Hrvatski povijesni muzej, Croatian History Museum


Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, National Library of Latvia


Eesti Rahva Muuseum, Estonian National Museum 


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Summary
Camille Stewart Gloster (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss her career in cyber. Camille was the first Deputy National Cyber Director for Technology & Ecosystem for the White House. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The intersections between technology and law

The origins of the cyber threat

The importance of cyber education

Building a diverse cyber workforce


Reflections

Challenging narratives and norms

Strategic education

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“Another part of the problem is having a conversation where people understand that they do a lot of this work every day. Honing those skills and being intentional about them and then applying them to a career means a transition from a hobby to something more concrete. And that narrative piece of making cybersecurity not seem so overwhelming is a big part of the work as well.” – Camille Stewart Gloster. 

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


Indian Intelligence & Cyber – A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai (2023)


Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)


The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 1 of 2) (2022)


The FBI & Cyber with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 2 of 2) (2022)


Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle with China with Aynne Kokas (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


What is Cybersecurity? CISA (2021) [Short article]


What is Cyber? Marketing Business Network, YouTube (2019) [2 min. video]


Why Is Cybersecurity Important? CompTIA (n.d.) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE
Primary Sources 


2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States (2024)


National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: Initial Stages of Implementation (2024)


Executive Order on Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern (2024)


National Cybersecurity Strategy (2023)


National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (2023)


National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (2023)


CHIPS Act (2022)


Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (2021)

*Wildcard Resource*
Test your cybersecurity awareness with this #BeCyberSmart crossword from the Center for Development of Security Excellence. 

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Summary
Michael Collins joins Andrew to discuss the National Intelligence Council. Michael is the NIC’s current acting chair. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The role of the National Intelligence Council

National Intelligence Officers and their work around the world

The products of the NIC, including the Annual Threat Assessment

The importance of Intelligence Diplomacy and objective analysis 

Reflections

The power of collaboration

Staying grounded and optimistic

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“In the analytic product, the first paragraph says: Here's the bad thing. Second paragraph says: This is what the bad thing means for the United States. Third paragraph is: What can be done to stop the bad thing, or more importantly, to identify an opportunity. I have to be optimistic. If I weren't, I wouldn't be in this job.” – Michael Collins.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) with Sara Castro (2024)


CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)


The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)


The National Intelligence University with its President Scott Cameron (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


America’s Intelligence Community, Explained, Washington Post, YouTube (2014) [2 min. video]


What is Intelligence Analysis and Why is It So Important? National American University (n.d.) [Short article]


Members of the IC, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (n.d.) [List of agencies]

DEEPER DIVE
Primary Sources 


2024 Annual Threat Assessment (2024) 


IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024) 


2023 National Intelligence Strategy (2023)


Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents (2023)


Global Trends 2040 (2021)


National Intelligence Estimates on Climate Change (2021)

*Wildcard Resource*

This week’s guest shares a name with another intelligence professional: Michael Collins (1890-1922), a prominent leader of Irish independence. 

You may remember this Michael Collins from his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, but did you know he was also the Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army? Check out some of “The Squad’s” spy gadgets and artifacts here. 


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Summary
Jason Barlow (X; Biography) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the iconic James Bond vehicles. Jason is the longstanding editor-at-large at Top Gear.

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

How the “Bond car” phenomenon came to be

Ian Fleming’s love for cars

The different “nationalities” of Bond cars

What it’s like to be behind the wheel of some of these iconic cars 

Reflections

The making of pop culture

The “personality” of cars

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“Something strange happens in popular culture, where worlds kind of collide and cars assume these sorts of statuses far in excess of what they're actually doing in the movies. I find it fascinating as a process. Nobody can predict how these things are going to go and it's wonderful when these things do happen.” – Jason Barlow.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*Spotlight Resource* 

Bond Cars: The Definitive History, Jason Barlow (BBC Books, 2021)
*SpyCasts*


The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024) 


The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)


Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon with Mark Edlitz (2023)


70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 1 of 2) (2023)


70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 2 of 2) (2023)

*Beginner Resources*


A Complete List of James Bond Cars, J. Osborn, Man of Many (2023) [List of cars]


Aston Martin DB5 and 007 - A Special Bond, Aston Martin, YouTube (2021) [1 min. video]


Why are cars interesting anyway? R. Meester, Medium (2021) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE
Cars Mentioned

Aston Martin DB5

AMC Hornet

Mustang Mach 1

Lotus Esprit

Aston Martin V8

Toyota 2000GT


Aston Martin V12 Vanquish 

BMW 750iL

*Wildcard Resource*

“Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz …”

We’ve now firmly established that film can immortalize cars for decades to come. Well, it’s the same in music – Think “Little Red Corvette” by Prince, or “Ol’ 55” by Tom Waits. Perhaps one of the most iconic cars in music is Janis Joplin’s 1964 psychedelic Porsche, now remembered fondly through her 1971 song “Mercedes Benz.” 


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Summary
Laura Hicken (LinkedIn) and Lauren vonBechmann (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the collection of the International Spy Museum. SPY’s collection consists of 10,000 espionage-related artifacts. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The ins and outs of getting into the museum field

Why Museums?

SPYs largest, smallest, and coolest artifacts

The challenges of being a “spy” museum

Reflections

Following your passions

A dedication to lifelong learning and teaching 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“It's that ability to give accessibility to our audiences so that they can see like parts of history – So it's not only to preserve it, but it's so that people can see it as well. That's what we want to provide – A place for people to see the unseen.” – Lauren vonBechmann.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024) 


The Most Famous Art Detective in the World with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman (2023)


Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)


SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]


About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]


Collections Management, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short article] 

DEEPER DIVE
Artifacts


James Bond's Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch (2021)


Primo’s Bionic Eye (2021)


Clock with Concealed Receiver (1970s) 


Disguise Kit (1960s)


Berlin Tunnel Segment (1954-1956)


Four Rotor Enigma Machine (1943-1944)


Sleeping Beauty Submersible (1943)


George Washington Spy Letters (1777)

*Wildcard Resource*

Here’s something many don’t know about the International Spy Museum: 

On the side of our building, built in 2019, is a secret message written in binary code. Can You Crack the Code? 


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