SpyTalk, Jeff Stein

SpyTalk

News EN ↓ 216 episodes

SpyTalk lives at the intersection of intelligence operations, foreign policy, homeland security, and military strategy. Hosted by veteran national security journalists Jeff Stein, Michael Isikoff and Karen J. Greenberg, the podcast features exclusives by SpyTalk’s roster of longtime reporters, news and profiles of US and foreign spymasters, and interviews with policymakers and expert authors. There’s nothing quite like it—a place for experts and laypersons alike, who enjoy national security scoops and insights by SpyTalk's subject matter experts. For more SpyTalk go to: https://www.spytalk.co/

Author

SpyTalk, Jeff Stein

Episodes

Gulp of America 09.01.2026 39:42

CIA in Venezuela, Cuba and Beyond With Luis Rueda https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-rueda-b060a217/ and Peter Eisner https://substack.com/@petereisner Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subs...

Her Grandfather Was a Nazi Spy 02.01.2026 43:38

Christine Kuehn talks about her shocking discovery in “Family of Spies" Family of Spies https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250344465/familyofspies / Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy S...

The House of Secrets 19.12.2025 52:56

Tom Blanton talks about 40 years of unearthing CIA plots at the National Security Archive. https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/ Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack ht...

Trump’s Antifa Fiction 13.12.2025 54:11

Top former national security official Josh Geltzer separates fake from real threats. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our li...

The Pipe Bomb Suspect—and More 06.12.2025 57:45

Ace investigative reporter Carol Leonnig talks about her latest scoop and new book on Trump’s DoJ, “ Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department. ” Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: ht...

Sidelining the FBI's Spy Hunters 26.11.2025 46:43

Investigative reporter Ron Kessler and retired former senior CIA officer John Sipher on the GOP plan to give Tulsi Gabbard control of neutralizing spies and terrorists. John Sipher https://www.thecipherbrief.com/ Risking a National Security Disaster by Ronald Kessler https://www.spytalk.co/p/risking-a-national-security-disaster Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Fol...

Pushing Back on Lawless Venezuela Strikes 21.11.2025 44:20

Top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed calls Trump threats “off the wall...” Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where...

Has Trump Authorized Assassinations? 14.11.2025 49:19

Intelligence historians James Risen and Peter Kornbluh on Trump policies and Cold War excesses. More from James Risen https://www.theguardian.com/profile/james-risen More from Peter Kornbluh https://www.democracynow.org/2025/11/7/gunboat_diplomacy Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on...

What’s the Covert Action Plan for Venezuela? 07.11.2025 50:29

Veteran war reporter and Latin America expert Doug Farah throws cold water on Trump’s campaign against Nicholas Maduro. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack ...

The CIA's Contrarian 31.10.2025 1:10:45

After spending years tracking Al Qaeda, former analyst Gina Bennett talks to SpyTalk about her storied career, her new spy novel and the rising threat of "politicized misogyny." Gina Bennett If Two of Them Are Dead Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter....

The Shadow World of Foreign Policy Lobbyists 24.10.2025 49:52

Ken Vogel talks about his new book, Devils’ Advocates: The Hidden Story of Rudy Giuliani, Hunter Biden, and the Washington Insiders on the Payrolls of Corrupt Foreign Interests. Follow Ken Vogel on Twitter https://x.com/kenvogel Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twit...

How Real is "A House of Dynamite"? 17.10.2025 49:46

Former White House Situation Room Director Larry Pfeiffer Talks Fear and Facts with SpyTalk. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Tak...

Jake Tapper’s Terror Case Detective Yarn 10.10.2025 55:03

In a new book the CNN anchor unspools the inside story of a unique terrorism case. Jake Tapper https://x.com/jaketapper Race Against Terror https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Race-Against-Terror/Jake-Tapper/9781668079447 Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter....

David McCloskey Strikes Again 03.10.2025 1:02:02

The acclaimed spy thriller author and ex-CIA analyst talks about his new novel, “ The Persians ,” set in the clandestine war between Israel and Iran. DAVID MCCLOSKEY Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.c...

America on Trial 26.09.2025 41:23

John Ryan and his gripping tale of yet more Guantanamo secrets. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey whe...

Revealed: Interrogation Tapes of Saudi Suspect in 9/11 Case 19.09.2025 1:12:07

Two British journalists find fresh evidence implicating a key Saudi suspect who escaped U.S. justice. Liz Harris https://lizharris.journoportfolio.com/ https://x.com/lizharris72 Amardeep Bassey Amardeep Bassey’s Profile | Freelance Journalist | Muck Rack The article: Revealed after 24 years, how UK was forced to free 9/11 ‘plotter’ The podcast: The Story | The Times and The Sunday Times Follow...

Inside the Secret Hostage Talks 12.09.2025 52:28

Wall Street Journal reporters Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson talk about their new book “Swap” on the SpyTalk podcast. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack ht...

Guerrilla War 08.09.2025 1:08:29

24 years after his father’s assassination, anti-Taliban leader Ahmad Massoud vows stepped up resistance to the Kabul regime. But Jon Lee Anderson of the New Yorker sees little path for success. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk o...

How the US Watched the Shah Crumble 05.09.2025 53:53

"King of Kings" author Scott Anderson describes how feckless US officials helped usher in the Iranian revolution. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substac...

Top House Intel Dem Plays Hardball with Gabbard 29.08.2025 44:34

DNI ignored Jim Himes until he warned her on Section 702 Renewal. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listener survey where...

Putin to Trump, Nyet 22.08.2025 43:25

A veteran diplomat dissects Trump's failure to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Former Ambassador Daniel Fried, who spent years dealing with Putin's Russia, says it's time for Trump to "stare down" the dictator. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twi...

Bondi Kills DoJ Domestic Terrorism Unit 16.08.2025 1:03:51

Former top unit lawyer Tom Brzozowski provides SpyTalk with exclusive details. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to SpyTalk on Substack https://www.spytalk.co/ Take our listene...

Inside the US-Cuba Spy Swap 08.08.2025 1:04:44

The secret deal that temporarily suspended the Cold War is revisited by Foreign Policy Executive Editor Dan Ephron and SpyTalk host Michael Isikoff Dan Ephron Spy: The U.S., Cuba, and the Secret Deal That Ended the Cold War Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.c...

Intel Battle Royale 01.08.2025 52:12

Former top NSA, CIA & ODNI official Larry Pfeiffer discusses Tulsi Gabbard’s attacks on CIA handling of Russia election report with hosts Jeff Stein and Michael Isikoff Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twi...

Massacre at the FBI 24.07.2025 54:41

Special Agent Mike Feinberg tells how he was forced out in Kash Patel’s wholesale purge of FBI officials suspected of disloyalty to Trump. Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpyTalker Follow Karen Greenberg on Twitter https://x.com/KarenGreenberg3 Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/talk_spy Subscribe to Spy...