293 episodes

Former acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell speaks with top leaders of the U.S. intelligence community as they reflect on their life, career and the critical roles they play in shaping national security policies. As a central figure in the most significant U.S. counter-terror efforts of the past two decades and a former CIA intelligence analyst, Morell is uniquely skilled at taking industry leading knowledge to make connections that provide deep insight into complex security events – helping decode intelligence officials’ key priorities and providing perspectives on how to achieve national security objectives. Morell is the author of “The Great War of Our Time” and a vivid account of the Central Intelligence Agency, a life in secrets, and a war in the shadows.

Intelligence Matters CBS News

    • Government
    • 4.7 • 3.2K Ratings

Former acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell speaks with top leaders of the U.S. intelligence community as they reflect on their life, career and the critical roles they play in shaping national security policies. As a central figure in the most significant U.S. counter-terror efforts of the past two decades and a former CIA intelligence analyst, Morell is uniquely skilled at taking industry leading knowledge to make connections that provide deep insight into complex security events – helping decode intelligence officials’ key priorities and providing perspectives on how to achieve national security objectives. Morell is the author of “The Great War of Our Time” and a vivid account of the Central Intelligence Agency, a life in secrets, and a war in the shadows.

    Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

    Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

    Robert Hanssen was a conundrum - an FBI agent and self-proclaimed patriot who became the most damaging spy in the bureau's history. Amid the nuclear threat of the Cold War, America's prized secrets were falling into the hands of its sworn enemy—the Kremlin. The FBI's hunt for the leak led to an astonishing discovery—the mole was one of its own. In this 8-episode limited series, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett delves into the life of Robert Hanssen and unravels the chilling - and deadly - truth about his many contradictions. Hear the trailer now and listen to Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen starting September 28th, wherever you get your podcasts.

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    • 2 min
    Wondery Presents: Over My Dead Body: Gone Hunting

    Wondery Presents: Over My Dead Body: Gone Hunting

    When Mike Williams vanishes on a hunting trip, the authorities suspect he was eaten by alligators but the true predators who took Mike may lurk much closer to home. The mystery of Mike’s disappearance might have faded from memory, if it wasn’t for one woman’s tireless crusade. From Wondery, comes a new season of Over My Dead Body; a story about an obsessive love affair, a scandalous secret and a mother’s battle for the truth.




    Listen to Over My Dead Body: Wondery.fm/_OMDB_

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    • 5 min
    CIA Clinical Psychologist Ursula Wilder on Profiling World Leaders

    CIA Clinical Psychologist Ursula Wilder on Profiling World Leaders

    In this episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with Ursula Wilder, a clinical psychologist at the Central Intelligence Agency, about why intelligence agencies conduct psychological profiles of world leaders, and how past policymakers have used what they have learned to make strategic decisions. Wilder, who also worked in CIA's counterterrorism center and Medical and Psychological Assessments unit, explains the "dark tetrad" of personality -- narcissism, paranoia, Machiavellianism and sadism -- and how those traits can influence how leaders make decisions and engage in negotiations. She and Morell also discuss how policymakers respond to psychological profiles compiled by government agencies. 

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    • 44 min
    Former Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross on Regional Instability

    Former Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross on Regional Instability

    In this episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with former senior U.S. ambassador and Middle East envoy Dennis Ross about growing instability in the Middle East, including tensions between Israel and Palestine, controversial judicial reforms in Israel, and consistent advancements in Iran's nuclear program. Ross, now counselor and a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, offers suggestions for a clearer and more muscular U.S. policy vis a vis Iran and weighs the implications of a possible unilateral military strike on its nuclear facilities by Israel.

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    • 38 min
    The U.S. Invasion of Iraq: A Look at Intelligence, 20 Years Later

    The U.S. Invasion of Iraq: A Look at Intelligence, 20 Years Later

    In this special episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with five former senior CIA officers about the agency's work before, during and after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. With personal recollections and reflections, Morell offers a candid walkthrough of what the CIA and other intelligence agencies assessed about Saddam Hussein's intentions and weapons programs in the lead-up to the invasion, how intelligence was used within the U.S. government throughout this period, and how the consequences of the CIA's missteps - as well as its successes - continue to reverberate today.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 48 min
    Kristin Wood on the Intelligence Value of Open Source Data

    Kristin Wood on the Intelligence Value of Open Source Data

    In this episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with former senior CIA officer Kristin Wood about the history, value and current applications of open source data to intelligence collection and analysis. Wood, who helped lead the innovation and technology group at CIA's Open Source Center, walks through the types of information available to the public and for purchase through commercial firms that create unique insights into companies, behaviors and events. Morell and Wood discuss the ways in which the U.S. intelligence community has leveraged - or failed to leverage - some key open source data.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
3.2K Ratings

3.2K Ratings

Soartan in Western CO ,

Incredible conversations

Love this podcast, Michael’s resume speaks for itself, but he also leads great discussion with his guests and gives incredible insight. Hope it comes back soon or at least there’s a finality of sorts.

Dug ,

No new shows.

No new shows in months. Not worth keeping on subscribing if host doesn’t produce.

TJTENNISPRO ,

Smith Mundt Act

I thought the CIA couldn’t promote propaganda on Americans? Oh that’s right your boy Obama repealed the act under the 2012 NDAA. Gobbels and Bernays would be proud.

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