The Live Drop

Author and Irish Journalist Sean O’Driscoll talks about his decades of risky investigation into the IRA and his new book - The Accidental Spy - about American David Rupert, aka the Big Yank, a trucking manager, pub owner and erstwhile undercover FBI and MI5 agent within the most violent ruling echelons of the Irish Republican Army. In this episode Sean discusses the possible consequences facing Ireland from England’s Brexit movement, the origin and several incantations of the IRA, and future challenges to Irish re-unification. See show notes at thelivedrop.com for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Hoyt is a University of Maryland Professor, former analyst and President of the USMLM Association - United States Military Liaison Mission in Berlin. USMLM in cooperation with British and French Allies were the only observers with daily access behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Mission reports provided not only a realistic picture of the Soviet Army, but a window into East German Society. Stephen talks about the origins, singularity and legacy of USMLM along with the Mission Potsdam Conference June 20-22nd of this year 2019 - sponsored by the University of Maryland and hosted by the Potsdam Museum, where notable speakers will discuss this unique HUMINT organization from a variety of perspectives. Thomas Favia is a retired cavalryman and Sergeant First Class US Army. He served in Berlin from 1989 through the fall of the wall until 1993. He lives in Germany and enjoys the occasional good cigar with brothers-in-arms of various nationalities. More information about the annual LTC Arthur Nicholson Memorial and upcoming conference events can be found on USMLM website.USMLM Association Website Cold War Spies - USMLM PageTRANSMISSION 024 If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, and content. A $5 a month donation will really keep us going - https://www.patreon.com/thelivedropAlternatively, if you would like to help make Season 3 operational you could make a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedropThank you for listening and your support,Live Drop Team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intelligence historian and former analyst, Dr. Mark Stout directs graduate programs in Global Security Studies and Intelligence at Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Advanced Academic Programs in Washington, DC. He has previously worked for the Department of the Army, the State Department, the CIA, and the Institute for Defense Analyses. He’s recently co-authored the book Spy Chiefs and has co-founded the North American Society for Intelligence History. We talk the history of intelligence from Sun Tzu to the present with our immense volume, velocity and variety of information. The former analyst points out the nature of information and how some questions can and can’t be answered. After a brief discussion about Activity Based Intelligence this insightful 42 minute interview wraps up with a chat about Cold War Ottawa and the successful partnership of Canadian and US Intelligence Agencies. - Transmission 023 Dr. Mark Stout on Twitter @WWIPhDNorth American Society for Intelligence History -- intelligencehistory.org Book Recommendation: The Secret World by Christopher Andrew. More information at thelivedrop.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top counterintelligence and interrogation expert Stuart Herrington shares from a renowned and decorated intelligence career. He sets the stage with his introduction to military intelligence duty in Cold War Berlin in 1968. Over the course of a friendly conversation he comments on: The Fall of Saigon, lunch with Henry Kissinger and his most significant command as Director, U.S. Army Foreign Counterintelligence Activity (FCA), between January 1988 and May 1992. During his tenure as Director of FCA, he pursued and wrapped up two of the most sensitive and significant espionage cases in post WW II history: Hungarian operative Clyde Lee Conrad & US Army Analyst James Hall. A vocal opponent of enhanced interrogation methods, Herrington cites the effectiveness of his more humanitarian approach in Operation Just Cause in Panama, The Gulf War, MACV SOG in the Vietnamese provinces, The Iraq War, and Guantanamo. And he's prolific, having provided us with a published first-hand catalog of his experiences. He also shares some writing advice along with lessons learned from a fascinating and four-decade intelligence career.Books by Stuart Herrington:Traitors Among UsStalking the VietcongPeace with Honor? An American Reports on Vietnam, 1973-1975Silence Was A Weapon: The Vietnam War in the VillagesStuart also appears in the documentary film The Fall of SaigonTRANSMISSION 022 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark was fortunate to have a chance to speak with Ambassador Rudy Perina** has a storied 34 year career in the US Diplomatic Corps. He’s a sought after Charge d’Affaires at US embassies around the world with a history of service in some of the Cold War hotspots like Moscow, Yugoslavia, and Berlin. We discuss the role of diplomacy in a changing world and what he believes can determine the fate and destiny of nations. He shares his knowledge of fluent Berlinery - the unique system of agreements and rituals in the occupied city. Recorded at LaBrea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, CA 16 Nov 2017** Ambassador Perina passed away on 18 June 2018. He’ll be missed and we are forever grateful for his kindness, candor and lifelong service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Though most in his profession are former attorneys, sought after mediator Lee Jay Berman recognized his keen ability to diffuse conflict and find resolution while working in corporate real estate. The skills he maintains, and teaches are highly applicable in the world of human intelligence and diplomacy. Listening, and identifying the underlying desires of opposing parties is an intuitive ability he’s used to resolve conflict and find compromise that leaves both parties with satisfaction and peace of mind. He also shares the darker side of how this intuition and skill can be used to exploit or prolong conflict. We talk about the paradox of current political division and the cognitive reward for reinforcing long held beliefs resentments. His work, classes and further reference can be found at his website mediationtools.com TR020 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Pecora is a 24 year CIA veteran and senior clandestine security manager. He talks about his book Guardian: Life in the Crosshairs of the CIA’s War on Terror, and a career in Clandestine security operations. Mark asks him about the mindset of ‘stealth,’ 'getting off the X,' and how to protect those in the business of risking it all for information. Listen in for a chat with the Forest Gump of the GWOT. He cites his early experiences with Islamic terrorists in the Phillipines, Bosnia, North Africa, Mogudishu, Somalia, Afganistan, Iraq. Tom talks frankly about PTSD, and the offers some universal advice to anyone entering the Clandestine Service. Transmission 019 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason is an author, entrepreneur and ex-CIA officer. His books Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life and Survive Like A Spy are bestsellers and considered essential for those interested in Spycraft with real stories from the field to back them up. Find Jason and links to all his company services at spyandescape.com or survivelikeaspy.com. He consults at GPTagents.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With INTELLIGENCE, playwright Helen Banner raises some big questions in this production about a charismatic negotiator training diplomats for talks with a violent adversary. Though not practiced now (or yet, rather), they use role-playing and improvisation to show how we code and decode others through our bias, understanding and imagination. More at helenbanner.comIf you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, and content. A $5 a month donation will really keep us going - https://www.patreon.com/thelivedropAlternatively, if you would like to help make Season 3 operational you could make a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedropThank you for listening and your support,Live Drop Team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maj. (ret) John W. Spencer currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, NY and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project. He's instrumental in the design and formation of the institute and a prolific writer specializing in how increased urbanization affects military operations, planning, and... thinking. Find him on Twitter @SpencerGuard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael discusses his documentary about an American intelligence advisor in Vietnam. In this film MACV veteran John Murphy narrates his experience and the difficulty of reporting intelligence that some might not want to hear. Michael shares his own challenges, and tips for documentary filmmakers. Episode 15. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his book Bring Out The Dog, Will Mackin writes a fictional account of his time with Navy Special Operations as a Joint Terminal Air Controller - 'a remarkable portrait of the absurdity and poetry that define life in the most elite, Clandestine circles of modern warfare.' Will’s stories demonstrates the role of intuition, empathy and imagination into the enemies movements and psyche. A 24 year Navy veteran, Will shares his reentry into civilian life. Find his work at wmackin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author of The Girl Behind The Wall explains her relatively normal childhood in the DDR with little or no exposure to elements of the surveillance state. Or was it there all along? We may have to wait for her second book for the answer. Antje explains the massive download of western culture those from the East had to digest in the 1990s, and what it felt like to be a cultural refugee in her own land. Episode 13 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve seen his thought provoking and shocking political cartoons in LA Times, Harpers, McSweeneys and now all over social media. Mr Fish himself describes how positive advertising has conditioned us to reject uncomfortable and subversive messages and images at our own peril. He is the subject of a documentary by director Pablo Bryant “Cartooning From the Deep End” on iTunes December 18th. You can find and support his work at clowncrack.com & mrfishmovie.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 11 - Michael Brady is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, career intelligence professional and author of several spy novels. He teaches at the Citadel, patiently asking his students to support their choices with solid intelligence. Find his work at michaelbradybooks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gen Michael Hayden goes back to Intel 101 to give context on the shape and purpose of information gathering, then shares his experiences at the top agencies during the must tumultuous years for the Intelligence Community. And right now, he says might be the most dangerous development he’s seen yet, the rejection of ‘objective reality.’ Accurate, verifiable intelligence is more important now than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Barsky spied on the US for the KGB from 1978-1988 as part of the Russian Illegals Program. He speaks about the initial sense of adventure that lured him into a career in espionage. Jack reveals the emotional costs of a double life in service to a cause for which he eventually became disillusioned. Recorded earlier this year, Jack reveals what ultimately led him out of the spy life, and the strategies and rationalizations he used to keep a sense of personal authenticity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark caught up with James Vancel, CEO of the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, at his office in Nairobi. Busara is a Swahili word meaning Intelligence, and the Busara Center is one of the most sought after behavioral economics consultants in the region, with expertise that is growing in demand. James talked with Mark about the company's cultural and analytical assessments and the value these research and analysis efforts have to Intelligence Communities.If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, and content. A $5 a month donation will really keep us going - https://www.patreon.com/thelivedropAlternatively, if you would like to help make Season 3 operational you could make a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedropThank you for listening and your support,Live Drop Team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robin Dreeke is a former senior FBI agent with over 28 years of government service. He was until recently the head of the FBI’ Counterintelligence Behavior Analysis Program whose primary mission is to thwart the effort of foreign spies and recruit American spies... Robin is the author of The Code Of Trust, based on the system Dreeke devised, tested, and implemented during years of field work at the highest levels of national security.Code of Trust:Suspend Your EgoBe NonjudgmentalHonor ReasonValidate OthersBe Generous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark’s old friend Tim Hall was a #Morse communicator for the #ASA. He talks about launching a #LOB from remote #SIGINT sites to duty in #Berlin at #Teuflelsberg tracking the #Spetznaz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Elbe Group consists of retired Military and Intelligence generals from the US and Russia. It’s an unprecedented International collection of acronyms who meet to maintain a continuous channel of communication on sensitive issues facing US-Russian relations. While some create conflict, the group’s founder and director BG (ret) Kevin Ryan has had a career of productive cooperation with the Russians. He shares his experience and suggestions before heading to Moscow for the proposed summit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 4: Adaptatsiya is a runaway hit show in Russia - their answer to “The Americans” - Mark drops in with Russian actress Evgenia Brik to talk about playing a spy in Siberia, and living the dream in Los Angeles.If any of you espionage nerds were wondering - she's no relation to Yevgeni Brik KGB Illegal and RCMP double agent in the 1950s. Interesting story, he was the subject of Shattered Illusions by Donald Mahar (2017) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 3 Mark meets with Carnegie Moscow Center Director and Russian policy expert Dr. Dmitri Trenin to talk authoritarian tendencies, Soviet and Russian History , US-Russia relations, and hey, what was Soviet Plan anyway ? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Communications Director for the Stasi Records Archive (BStU), Dagmar Hovestaedt joins The Live Drop in a former Cold War bunker at the Wende Museum (or, The Change Back Museum) -- the perfect place for a chat about privacy. Dagmar also reveals the incredible number of record requests the Stasi Archives has received - and not always for the reasons you'd think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Air Force Academy, nuclear missiles, and career CIA, Andrew talks about a life in Intelligence: The ‘703’ cold call, what prepared him, and why he’s moved on from government service to spread the word of #EveryDayEspionage as a sought after speaker and consultant. Find him at AndrewBustamente.org He’s the FIRST episode of #TheLiveDrop ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.