Summary
Vappala Balachandran (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the ancient roots of espionage in India. Bala formerly served as Special Secretary for India’s Cabinet Secretariat. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

India’s Research and Analysis Wing

The Tamil Tigers’ threat to Indian national security

Intelligence considerations within India-Pakistan relations

Lessons in intelligence from Ancient India

Reflections

Intelligence, the 2nd oldest profession

Transitioning from leader to student

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“There was a lot of pressure. There was a lot of pressure, especially, for example: Certain incidents happening – What would be the repercussions in India? Now, anything that happens in Pakistan, it will have some repercussions in India. And, same thing in Afghanistan, and then all the neighboring countries, we are to watch them.”  – Vappala Balachandran.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


Irish Garda Intelligence Chief with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn (2023)


Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023)


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


Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy with Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood (2021)

*Beginner Resources*


The Entire History of India in Under 10 Minutes, Made in History, YouTube (2022) [10 min. Video]


RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations, Y. Yadav, New Indian Express (2020) [Short article]


Timeline: India-Pakistan Relations, A. Hashim, Al Jazeera (2019) [Historical timeline]

DEEPER DIVE
Primary Sources 


Agreement on a ceasefire between Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (2022)


Pradhan Inquiry Commission Report, 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks (2009)


Lessons from the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks, US Senate Hearing (2009)

Kautilya’s Arthashastra (1915 translation)

Thiruvalluvar’s Tirukkuṟaḷ (1886 translation) 


The Police Act (1861)


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“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

TOP SECRET
Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners
Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Hammond -(STOP) stories secrets tradecraft and technology discussed -(STOP)- HUMINT SIGINT OSINT IMINT GEOINT and more -(STOP)- rumored to be professional education internal communication and public information -(STOP)- entire back catalog available online for free -(STOP)- please investigate this claim with all possible haste -(STOP)- SPY Historian Hammond said to have a Scottish accent -(STOP)- is this a countermeasure or a hearts-and-minds campaign?
(END TELEGRAM)

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

History

Society & Culture

News

Summary
Avi Loeb (Harvard Biography, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in outer space. He is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The Galileo Project & its goals

The Intelligence Community and Outer Space

Government positions on the existence of extraterrestrial life

Connections between intelligence and astrophysics

Reflections	

The enormity of our universe

Evidence over opinion or speculation

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“And my hope is that realizing that we have a smart neighbor that we can learn from would convince us to change our priorities from fighting over territories on this small piece of rock, trying to kill each other, to something more noble, just looking up and having bigger aspirations because there is so much more real estate out there than you find here on Earth.” – Avi Loeb.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*Spotlight Resource*

Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars, Avi Loeb (Mariner Books, 2023) 
*SpyCasts*


I Helped Solve the Final Zodiac Killer Cipher with David Oranchak (2024)


The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall with Director Steve James (2023)


Espionage and the Metaverse with Cathy Hackl (2023)


The Information Battlespace – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette (2023)

*Beginner Resources*


What is Astrophysics? A. Belter, Space (2022) [Short article]


What You Need to Know About Astrobiology - The Search for Life in the Universe! NASA, YouTube (2020) [2 min. video] 


Glossary of astronomical terms, International Comet Quarterly (n.d.) [Glossary]

DEEPER DIVE
Books


In Plain Sight: An Investigation into UFOs and Impossible Science, R. Coulthart (HarperCollins, 2023) 


Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, A. Loeb (Mariner Books, 2022)


Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, N. deGrasse Tyson (W. W. Norton & Company, 2017) 

Primary Sources 


Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (2024) 


Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (2021)


UFO Files: The Untold Story (1979) 


Space tests branded as propaganda (1964)


People Are Talking About … Little Green Men (1964)


Unidentified Flying Objects: Writer Says They’re a Dangerous Problem (1954) 

*Wildcard Resource*

This week, our recommended music accompaniment to this episode is, of course, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie.

This 1972 album, a classic example of the Glam Rock and early Punk era, includes the single “Starman,” which Andrew mentions in this episode. 


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“Interstellar Intelligence” – with Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb

Summary
Angie Gad (LinkedIn, Website) joined Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss her career in intelligence analysis. Angie is a first-generation Egyptian-American. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The role of state fusion centers to national intelligence

How counterterrorism analysis evolved after 9/11

The connections between ISIS and Far Right Extremists

The mental health implications of counterterrorism 

Reflections	

The importance of diversity of thought and experience

Personal identity in professional life

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“I think that's what drives me as an analyst. I love to understand why extremists do what they do, what leads them, what are the motivators and the driving force behind their actions and their thoughts and their radicalization.” – Angie Gad.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


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


The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence with Dina Rezk (2023)


Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd with Jorhena Thomas (2023)


The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist with Dexter Ingram (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


What Is Counterterrorism? National Museum of American Diplomacy, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]


What is Intelligence Analysis and Why is It So Important? National American University (2020) [Short article]


Role of Fusion Centers, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (n.d.) [Short brief] 

DEEPER DIVE
Books


Compassionate Counterterrorism: The Power of Inclusion In Fighting Fundamentalism, L. Al Olaimy (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2019) 


Black Flags: Rise of ISIS, J. Warrick (Doubleday, 2015)


Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis & National Security, T. Fingar (SUP, 2011)

Primary Sources 


United States of America v. Ammon BUNDY, Jon RITZHEIMER, Joseph O'SHAUGHNESSY, Ryan PAYNE, Ryan BUNDY, Brian CAVALIER, Shawna COX, Peter SANTILLI (2016)


National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan (2013) 


Progress Made and Work Remaining in Implementing Homeland Security Missions 10 Years after 9/11 (2011)


Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States (2011) 


9/11 Commission Report (2004) 


Targets of Suspicion: The Impact of Post-9/11 Policies on Muslims, Arabs and South Asians in the United States (2004)


American Psyche Reeling From Terror Attacks (2001)

*Wildcard Resource*


The Rosetta Stone was originally found in the Nile Delta of Egypt in 1799. The priceless piece of human linguistic history has been on display at the British Museum since 1802. 

The question of the potential repatriation of the Rosetta Stone back to Egypt is one of the most highly discussed topics in the museum field today. Read more about the Egyptian campaign to reclaim their ancient artifacts here.  


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“Navigating a Career in Counterterrorism as a Muslim – with Angie Gad”

Summary
Mark Stout (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book, World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence. Mark Stout is a former intelligence analyst and former SPY Historian. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The first American intelligence “agencies”

Codebreaking during WWI

The American Protective League and spy paranoia 

WWI’s effect on American culture and politics

Reflections	

Challenging common historical thought 

Studying the “forgotten” wars 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“[After World War I] there will never be a time again when the United States won't have squadrons in the Army Air Corps, later the U. S. Air Force, and similarly the Navy. We would never again be without aerial reconnaissance squadrons. There would never again be a time when the United States didn't have at least one code-breaking organization.” – Mark Stout.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*Spotlight Resource* 

World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence, Mark Stout (University Press of Kansas, 2023) 
*SpyCasts*


Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland (2024)


Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)


The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy with Alexander Rose (2023) 


The Birth of American Propaganda – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton (2021)

*Beginner Resources*


World War I, Explained in 5 Minutes! YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]


The Journey of the Intelligence Community, M. Thomas, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (2023) [Timeline of the US IC]


The United States in the First World War, National Park Service (2021) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE
Books


Manipulating the Masses: Woodrow Wilson and the Birth of American Propaganda, J. M. Hamilton (LSU Press, 2020)


Codes, Ciphers and Spies: Tales of Military Intelligence in World War I, J. F. Dooley (Copernicus, 2016)


The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America's Entry into World War I, T. Boghardt (Naval Institute Press, 2012) 

Primary Sources 


Treaty of Versailles (1919)


Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points Speech (1918)


Telegram Announcing Armistice (1918)


Sedition Act (1918)


The Zimmermann Telegram (1917)


Espionage Act (1917) 


Woodrow Wilson Third Annual Message, Warns of Espionage (1915) 

*Wildcard Resource*


12 Step Method to Reveal Secret Writing (ca. 1913-1924) 

Germany was particularly fond of invisible ink as a tactic of spycraft during World War I. If you came across a document suspected of secret writing, you might use these 12 steps to reveal the hidden message …  


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“The Foundations of American Intelligence in WWI” – with Mark Stout

Summary
Andrew Hampton joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in New Zealand. Andrew is the Director General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. 
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The New Zealand Intelligence Community

How geography effects national security

The lasting impact of the Christchurch Mosque attacks

New Zealand’s relationship with China

Reflections	

The power of community organization

The nuanced nature of global politics

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“I think for a long time there was a view that our geographical isolation protected us from a range of national security threats. But unfortunately, in the current world, geostrategic competition is playing out in our region. Going back to my old role, you’re only one click away from a cyber-attack … This and misinformation and violent extremism are permeating the whole world. ” – Andrew Hampton.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


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


Australian National Day Special: Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland (2024) 


SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America (2022)


Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker (2022)

*Beginner Resources*


What Is The Five Eyes Alliance? K. Haan, Forbes [Short Article]


A Brief History of New Zealand, Live and Work New Zealand (2022) [Short article]


Why Isn't New Zealand a Part of Australia? History Matters, YouTube (2020) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE
Books


Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific, Nicholas Thomas (Basic Books, 2021) 


Pacific Century: The Emergence of Modern Pacific Asia, Mark Borthwick (Routledge, 2013)


The Penguin History of New Zealand, Michael King (Penguin Books, 2003) 


Primary Sources 


He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand (1835)


Te Tiriti o Waitangi — the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) 


New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act (1969) 


Intelligence and Security Committee Act (1996) 


Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act (1996)


Government Communications Security Bureau Act (2003) 


Intelligence and Security Act (2017)

*Wildcard Resource*

The Women’s Suffrage Petition - Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine

In 1893, this document gave all women in New Zealand the right to vote in general elections – Making New Zealand the first country in the world to enact universal women’s suffrage!


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“The Director-General of NZ Security Intelligence Service” – with Andrew Hampton

Summary
David Oranchak (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his work helping to solve the 340 Zodiac cipher. Dave is a software developer and avid puzzle solver. 

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

The difference between codes and ciphers

The cryptological methods used by the Zodiac killer 

The history of cryptography and its importance to intelligence

How Dave and his team cracked the 340 Cipher

Reflections	

Persistence and dedication

Average citizens as avid participants 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“It felt like we had gotten a brand new letter from the Zodiac Killer. You know, the case had been dormant for so long … We started to see the message coming through, it was like he was back to life so to speak, he was talking to us again after so many years of not saying anything. So that was kind of eerie to kind of hear the voice of a serial killer.” – David Oranchak.

Resources 
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*


My Father the Navajo Code-Talker with Laura Tohe (2023) 


Venice’s Secret Service with Ioanna Iordanou (2023) 


El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz (2022) 


CYBER AUGUST: “So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker?” with Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh (2021) 

*Beginner Resources*


A brief history of cryptography: Sending secret messages throughout time, J. Schneider, IBM (2024) [Short article]


What is the Difference Between a Code and a Cipher? Mysterious Writings (2018) [Short Article]


Infamous Killers: The Zodiac Killer, A&E, YouTube (2017) [5 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE
Books


Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation's Most Elusive Serial Killer, R. Graysmith (Berkley, 2007) 


The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography, S. Singh (Anchor, 2000)


The Codebreakers: The Comprehensive History of Secret Communication from Ancient Times to the Internet, D. Kahn (Scribner, 1996) 

Primary Sources 


The Zodiac Killer FBI Case File (1969) 


San Francisco Zodiac Letter (1969) 


San Francisco Suspect Sketches (1969)


Zodiac’s 408 Cipher (1969) 


Zodiac’s 340 Cipher (1969) 


The Beale Papers (1885)


The Dorabella Cipher (1897)


Voynich Manuscript (ca. 1401-1599) 

*Wildcard Resource*
If you’re an amateur codebreaker and you feel inspired by this episode, try your hand at cryptanalysis with this FBI-created dot code. Erin tried, but could not begin to crack it – She’ll stick to podcasting. 

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“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

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