Summary
Highlights
The CIA's official role is to recruit spies, steal secrets, and analyse information to inform presidential policy. In reality, they also carry out covert actions, influence foreign media, and even assassinate individuals, depending on presidential directives.
The CIA seeks individuals with sociopathic tendencies rather than full sociopaths, as they can be controlled and respond to orders while still exhibiting ruthlessness. Most spy tech is purchased online, but Kiriakou highlights a custom-built briefcase with a hidden listening device as the 'coolest' he ever used.
Kiriakou confirms the CIA can listen through phones and laptop cameras, citing the 'Vault 7' disclosures. He also reveals the existence of a weekly 'kill list' at the National Security Council, acted upon by a dedicated CIA unit to eliminate 'the most dangerous terrorists'.
The CIA uses an 'asset acquisition cycle': Spot, Assess, Develop, Recruit. This involves building relationships, often exploiting personal interests and financial incentives, leading to recruitment. Kiriakou recounts a dangerous period in Pakistan, where he was under surveillance and narrowly avoided a potentially deadly confrontation.
Kiriakou criticises Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, stating Trump has no interest in supporting Europe or NATO. He views current US foreign policy as a 'complete and utter disaster', citing threats to allies. He believes China does not pose a real risk to the West, noting its lack of expansionism and limited military bases abroad.
The CIA can make people disappear, either through secret prisons like those set up post-9/11 or by providing new identities for defectors. Terrorist threats are tracked using 'all-source intelligence', combining media, electronic surveillance (phones, emails, game platforms), satellites, and human intelligence.
Kiriakou believes spies can have a moral compass, even if it comes at a personal cost, as it did for him. He details his decision to blow the whistle on the CIA's torture program, leading to his imprisonment but ultimately contributing to the McCain-Feinstein Amendment, which banned torture.
He emphatically states torture is ineffective, illegal, immoral, and serves as a recruitment tool for enemies. Kiriakou identifies Yemen, Somalia, Gaza, Afghanistan, and parts of Pakistan as the most dangerous countries he visited during his 72 assignments with the CIA.
Sleeper agents are real, with Russia being the most proficient user. These agents are trained intelligence officers who integrate into foreign countries under normal guises, later activated for intelligence gathering. The role of 'Chief of Disguise' is also real, with creative individuals trained in making disguises and forging documents.
Kiriakou's decision to expose the CIA's torture program stemmed from his belief that some actions are clear-cut wrong and illegal. He felt the American public had a right to know about crimes committed in their name. His revelations were instrumental in passing legislation to permanently ban torture.