SPYCRAFT 101

Today, Luis Moreno gives a firsthand account of his experiences in Nicaragua. A prominent figure among The Contras, Luis survived unbearable violence and horrible tragedy. He gives insight on the practice of guerilla warfare, the reality of resistance, and the atrocities of war.
Beginning his career in Nicaragua's Guardia Nacional as an officer, Luis describes the events that led him to escape at the end of the 1979 revolution and provides personal details on darker aspects of the counter-revolution.

Thanks to the Spycraft 101 podcast, Luis was able to reconnect with a friend from his Contras days who was with him when he was gravely injured, losing his arm.

See photos of Nicaraguan military history, including the counterrevolution: Alberto D Garcia (Nicaragua Historia En Fotos) on Facebook

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Today, Justin chats with former BBC senior reporter and producer, and now author, Trevor Barnes on the details of the Portland Spy Ring. This rare case involves stolen identities, money-hungry traitors, and more. When MI5 first discovered evidence and documents linking a Canadian man to espionage activities, they couldn't have expected what was to come. A combination of legal agents working via the embassy and illegal dead doubles, this complex KGB tale is more twisted than fiction.

Connect with Trevor:
Twitter: @trevorwbarnes
Check out Trevor's book, Dead Doubles, here.

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Doubles-Extraordinary-Worldwide-Notorious/dp/0062856995

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Today, prolific journalist Daniel Golden dives into espionage recruitment at universities around the world. Faculty, staff, and students alike are often approached by covert operators from both sides of a conflict or interest, particularly international students. Another key group includes professors and adjuncts who, while American citizens, may be immigrants or otherwise have ties to countries of interest. Dan relates a specific story regarding a Chinese-American professor in Florida who was approached the FBI and told he could be fired for some previous transgressions, or retain his position and his tenure if he chose to be an FBI informant.

Connect with Daniel:
Check out his book, Spy Schools, here.

https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Schools-Intelligence-Secretly-Universities/dp/1627796355

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IG: @spycraft101
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In this solo episode, Justin dives into the story of three CIA men who survived against the odds in Havana, Cuba. As service technicians, their role was to set up surveillance equipment to monitor Castro's Cuba.  The situation quickly turned sour,  but all three agents stood their ground for almost three years before returning home without compromising their identities or the agency.

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Today, prolific author and journalist Tim Tate shares the story of Polish Intelligence Officer Michael Goleniewski. A figure in James Angleton's complicated time with the CIA, Goleniewski was an expert counterintelligence agent who identified over a thousand Soviet Bloc spies across Europe and provided their details to the CIA and MI5. His complex story takes a rather interesting turn towards the end of his career when he claims to be the long-lost heir to Russia's final Czars, Alexei Romanov. What began as a play to claim the mythical Romanov fortune ends in true madness as Goleniewski becomes convinced that he really IS Alexei.

Connect with Tim:
timtate.co.uk
Twitter: @TimTateBooks
Check out Tim's book, Agent Sniper, here.

https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Sniper-Super-Ruthless-Despised/dp/1250274664

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IG: @spycraft101
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Today, author and scholar Brian McKnight delves into Chinese treatment of American prisoners of war during in Korea. Following the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1954, 23 American POWs refused repatriation to the United States. McKnight delves into what made them want to live in China--namely mandatory communist indoctrination while they were kept prisoner. By playing upon the reality of inequities these men faced while living in poverty under capitalism, Chinese soldiers were able to convince many the alleged upward mobility afforded by communism was reason enough not to return home.


Check out Brian's book, We Fight For Peace, here.

https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Peace-Twenty-Three-Prisoners-Turncoats/dp/B06XFY3TQL/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1639608099&refinements=p_27%3ABrian+McKnight&s=books&sr=1-1

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Today, journalist, author, and expert Jefferson Morley shares unique details on the life and career of one of of the most controversial CIA figures: James Angleton. Angleton was the CIA'S chief of counterintelligence for two decades, from 1954 to 1974. He's known for his unique connections to the Italian elite post World War II, his close relationship with Israel, and his obsession over a potential mole within the CIA. Angleton was a brilliant and complicated man, but at times his paranoia seemed to get the best of him.

Connect with Jefferson:
jeffersonmorley.com
deepstateblog.org
Twitter: @jeffersonmorley
Buy his book on Angleton, The Ghost, here.


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Today, author and journalist John Pomfret shares details about the true story of an interesting alliance involving Polish spies aiding the United States. After years of working against each other, ex-communist spies in Poland following a democratic election ended up working hand in hand with the country they'd been pinned against for most of the Cold War.

Connect with John:
johnpomfret.com
Twitter: @JEPomfret
Check out his book, From Warsaw with Love, here.

https://www.amazon.com/Warsaw-Love-Forging-Unlikely-Alliance/dp/1250296056

Connect with Spycraft 101:
IG: @spycraft101
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Today, author and former special forces officer Greg Walker shares the little-known story of a David Baez, a green beret defector. Baez was a Nicaraguan national whose father was killed by U.S.-backed President Samosa after voicing his displeasure with inequalities that had risen under Samosa's rule. After immigrating the U.S. and joining the Army (and then Special Forces), Baez found himself in El Salvador watching the country he served try to re-institute the rule of a dynasty that had done personal harm to his own family. Baez defected to Nicaragua in support of Sandinista revolutionary forces--despite the danger it posed to his American brothers in arms.

Connect with Greg:
LinkedIn: Gregory Walker
Check out Part 1 of Greg's series on Baez, A defector in place: The strange and terrible saga of a Green Beret Sandinista, here.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/defector-place-strange-terrible-saga-green-beret-part-greg-walker/

Connect with Spycraft 101:
IG: @spycraft101
Patreon: Spycraft 101
Buy the book: here on Amazon

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Today, author and renowned journalist Blaine Harden tells the unique story of Donald Nichols, a young intelligence officer operating in Korea. Nichols was known for being big, powerful, and morally ambiguous--but his accomplishments in Korea are virtually unknown. From warning General McArthur and the U.S. Army of the incoming Korean War (to no avail) to being falsely diagnosed with schizophrenia and undergoing electroshock therapy at the hands of the Air Force, Nichols lived a life full of surprises.

Connect with Blaine:
blaineharden.com
Check out Blaine's book on Nichols, King of Spies, here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143128868

Connect with Spycraft 101:
IG: @spycraft101
Patreon: Spycraft 101
Buy the book: here on Amazon

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