“Interstellar Intelligence” – with Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb
SpyCast30 Huhti 2024

“Interstellar Intelligence” – with Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaksot(725)

Gizmos and Gadgets—the World of Spycraft

Gizmos and Gadgets—the World of Spycraft

Peter interviews Robert Wallace, director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services (OTS, the department in charge of “gadgetry”) from 1998 to 2002. Bob explains some of his favorite devices, such as the T-100 subminiature camera, and compares OTS’ performance to that of its adversaries. He also reviews the role of OTS in some high-profile spy cases and discusses the capabilities and limitations of technical support in intelligence operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Heinä 200825min

Predicting Terrorism

Predicting Terrorism

Peter’s guest today is Malcolm W. Nance. A 20 year veteran of the US intelligence community, Malcolm has participated in numerous counter-terrorism operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. The author of The Terrorist Recognition Handbook and The Terrorists of Iraq, Malcolm discusses with Peter the role of Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda operations in Iraq, and the threat of domestic terrorism in the United States. He also talks about means and methods of effective anti-terrorist operations and cautions against overreactions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Kesä 200829min

Congressional Perspectives on U.S. Intelligence

Congressional Perspectives on U.S. Intelligence

Peter’s guest today is former Democratic Congressman Louis Stokes from Ohio, who chaired the House Intelligence Committee in the 1980s and the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the 1970s. Congressman Stokes discusses Congress’ role in overseeing the intelligence community and the value of intelligence to national security, and his committee’s investigation of the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Touko 200824min

Comrade J and Russian Espionage in the U.S.

Comrade J and Russian Espionage in the U.S.

Today, Peter interviews espionage writer Pete Earley about one of the most senior Russian intelligence defectors ever, Col. Sergei Tretyakov or “Comrade J.” Pete reveals some of the secrets Tretyakov covertly betrayed to the FBI/CIA while serving as SVR (Russian foreign intelligence) deputy resident in New York in the late 1990s. He also sheds light on Tretyakov’s complex motivations for defecting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Huhti 200826min

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco - Part II

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco - Part II

Looking further into the U.S. intelligence community’s faulty assessment of Iraq’s WMD program, Peter interviews Bob Drogin, author of Curveball: Spies, Lies and the Conman Who Caused a War. Bob reveals how fabricated information about Saddam’s WMD program from the Iraqi defector “Curveball” could make it all the way to the White House and consequently became one of the primary rationales for war against Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Maalis 200825min

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco

Today, Peter interviews Tyler Drumheller, the former chief of CIA covert operations in Europe. In the run-up to the Iraq war, Tyler consistently questioned affirmative intelligence on the existence of Saddam’s WMD program. He recounts his often frustrating efforts to prevent questionable information, such as that provided by the Iraqi defector "Curveball," from distorting intelligence assessments on Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Helmi 200825min

Valerie Plame Speaks

Valerie Plame Speaks

Peter’s guest today is Valerie Plame, a covert CIA officer who recently left the Agency after her name was leaked to the press. Valerie discusses her time at the CIA, the controversy surrounding her case, and the administration’s drive to war against Iraq. She also reveals how suddenly becoming a focus of public attention affected her marriage and family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Tammi 200823min

On Assignment to Congo

On Assignment to Congo

Today, Peter chats with Larry Devlin, the CIA’s legendary station chief in Congo during the 1960s. Larry reflects on his reasons for joining the CIA, the political situation in Congo at the time, and the face-off with the Soviets in the Third World. He also discusses his response to the controversial directive from headquarters to have Congo’s Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba killed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Joulu 200727min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
aikalisa
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
otetaan-yhdet
aihe
linda-maria
the-ulkopolitist
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
radio-antro
rss-valiokunta
rss-kaikki-paskaksi-ystavat
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset