Target USA Podcast by WTOP: Recent Episodes
WTOP | Hubbard Radio
Whether its terrorists, anarchists, cyber criminals or nation states, America has a target on its back. WTOP National Security Correspondent J.J. Green investigates the threats facing the U.S., the people behind them, the agencies fighting them and their impact on Americans.
My live radio reporting on Wednesday August 23, 2023 on the plane crash that claimed the life of Yevgeney Prigozhin. Also on this episode, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County Councilmember describes what took place during the horrible fires on Maui. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ambassador Kurt Volker, Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, now a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis says telling Ukraine to give up territory to Russia was a "huge" mistake. Also, Retired General Ben Hodges joins us to assess the situation and Ukraine's chances of winning the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Hans-Jacob Schindler, Sr. Director of the Counter Extremism Project, reveals a plot that was broken up in Germany, with is where the 9/11 hijackers actually starting training. Also, Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges, discusses the coup in Niger and the terrorism implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nikos Panagiotou, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at Aristotle University, discusses the message the devastating wildfires have sent. Then, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, updates us on developments in the Ukraine war, the coup in Niger, and the latest regarding an American serviceman being held in North Korea? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ambassador Kurt Volker, Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, says NATO's decision not to give Ukraine an immediate path to membership was the key problem. But that wasn't the only one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Michael Taylor, Sr. Analyst at Oxford Analytica for Eastern Europe says the whole affair was strange. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Robert Baer, a retired CIA covert operative is suspicious of that plane. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, discusses the weekend "rebellion" in Russia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense joins with new insight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yuri Sak, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, and Ambassador Kurt Volker, Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis join us to explain what happened and the implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Professor Jok Madut Jok, Anthropologist at Syracuse University explains why Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yevheniia Kravchuk, a Member of Parliament in Ukraine discusses the power outages and new Russian attacks.
A chronicle of the war from the beginning to the present day. Interviews with victims, reporters, officials, and elected representatives.
Abraham Awolich, head of the People's Coalition for Civil Action-South Sudan discusses problems looming in South Sudan.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director of the National Council of the Resistance of Iran discusses the turmoil going on inside Iran. Also, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson from the State Department fills us in on the Biden Administration's Africa Leadership Summit.
More than two dozen people were arrested in a massive raid that spanned 130 locations across Germany. Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Sr. Director of the Counter Extremism Project explains what happened.
France, after a decade, has ended its military counterterrorism operation in the Sahel. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Sr. Director at the Counter Extremism Project says it could lead to problems.
Linas Linkevicious, Ambassador-at-Large from Lithuania suggests it was a matter of time before a stray missile in Russia war in Ukraine landed in another country. He indicates as well, it's also a matter of time before it happens again, with global implications.
Yevheniia Kravchuk, a Member of Ukraine's Parliament says "that's why we listen to our Minister of Defense and not Russia's". And Tuuli Duneton, Undersecretary of Defense Policy at Estonia's Ministry of Defense explains what Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-term goal is.
Dr. Nick Redman, Director of Analysis and Editor in Chief at Oxford Analytica talks about the trajectory of the war. Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital and Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign discusses Putin quest to capture him and Russia's performance in the war.
Tuuli Duneton, Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Estonian Ministry of Defence, Einars Semanis, Latvia's Ambassador to Belarus, and Col. Vince Kirstein, commander of Canada's Task Force Latvia share unique, but unified perspectives about Russia's war against Ukraine.
"This is no longer an uprising. It's a revolution", says Alireza Jafarzadeh, the Deputy Director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Yuriy Sak, an advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, says he was awakened by a missile that flew over his apartment during Monday's massive missile barrage unleashed by Russia. And Robert Baer, says new revelations about the assassination of a prominent Russian woman have "terrified" Vladimir Putin.
Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, says Ukraine is not fazed at all by Russia's moves and suggests Russia needs to beware.
Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, the Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent explains how the program works.
Arman Soldin, Video Coordinator for Agence France-Presse went to Izyim, Ukraine; saw the mass graves and spoke with survivors of torture. And for Soldin, who was born in Sarajevo, what he saw was a shock, even for him.
General C.Q. Brown Jr., Air Force Chief of Staff, talks about the USAF's critical future, diversity, the importance of allies, and more.
Yevheniia Kravchuk, Ukrainian MP, talks about the danger at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; and Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, discusses the lightning-fast counter offensive that has Russian troops running for cover.
Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, says it looks "like a suspected murder".
Noted Nuclear non-proliferation expert Joe Cirincione says the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe is in danger of a possible meltdown. Also in this episode, former CIA covert operative, Robert Baer says Daria Dugina's killing may have been committed by the FSB.
Former Estonian Diplomat Kalev Stoicescu says the FSB (Russian Intelligence) story doesn't add up.
The former CIA operative, now a member of Congress, joins us to discuss migration, Al-Qaida, Ukraine, and much more.
Douglas London, former Senior Operations Officer says, "Putin is not going to stop" with Ukraine.
John Kirby, National Security Council Spokesman, Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Sr. Director of the Counter Extremism Project and Shawn Turner, former Communications Director for the Director of National Intelligence, discuss what happened, how it happened and what it means.
Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, details some of the unusual steps the Russian military is taking to find fighters.
A.T. Smith, former Deputy Director of the Secret Service says, "it's a new day" and there is significant concern for politicians and political candidates who don't have security details.
Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. says we should stop trying to understand why the Russian government attacked Ukraine and all the other reprehensible things it's done and shut them down.
Alexey Levinson, a sociologist and senior researcher at the Levada Center, Russia’s leading polling organization, shares his research, and then former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicious explains how the West missed the signs of Russia's plan that started years ago.
Ambassador Joe Detrani, former Director of the National Counter-Proliferation Center, says this could be very serious.
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks and former US Ambassador Daniel Fried explain why this is perhaps the most critical conflict of our time.
Jonathan Vseviov, Secretary-General of Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discusses how critical it is for Ukraine to defeat Russia.
Sofia Fedyna, a Member of Ukraine's Parliament says Vladimir Putin has succeeded in making all Ukrainians "hate him from the bottom of our hearts."
Kairi Saar-Isop, advisor in the Department of Strategic Communications for the Estonian government discusses their program and how it works.
The release of Trevor Reed was a bittersweet moment for the family of Paul Whelan. His sister Elizabeth explains.
Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says Russia is still an "existential threat" to the U.S because of President Vladimir Putin and its nuclear weapons.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze told us on Target USA in 2019, Russia was planning another invasion. On this episode she talks about what's next.
His wife Evgenia Kara-Murza explains why a 15-day jail term over a bogus charge might end up being much, much longer.
U.S. UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks about the historic suspension of Russia from the UN's Human Rights Council and efforts to isolate Russia.
Amy Zegart, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Freeman Spogli Institute at Stanford University, talks about the unprecedented releases of intelligence, how it's impacted the war, and Vladimir Putin.
Yevheniya Kravchuk, a Ukrainian Parliament Member, journalist and communications expert says, Vladimir Putin is "not normal" and the world needs to start treating him like the criminal that he is.
Andrei Soldatov, investigative journalist, author and Russian security services expert provides some answers
Sergei Utkin, head of strategic assessments at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences shares some candid thoughts, saying the war is a "catastrophe".
Audra Plepyt, Lithuania's Ambassador to the US, says Russia's war in Ukraine is worrisome for NATO countries; and she discusses what it's like to live behind the Iron Curtain.
Radek Sikorski, Member of the European Parliament and head of the EU Delegation to the U.S. talks about the stiff sanctions Russia's President and Foreign Minister face; and Vasil Miroshnychenko, Partner, CFC Big Ideas talks about life in Ukraine today
Malcolm Nance, Executive Director of Terror Asymmetrics Project on Strategy, Tactics and Radical Ideologies (TAPSTRI), and a retired Navy Cryptologist says Russian force can get to Kyiv, but they'll never take it.
Malcolm Nance, Malcolm W Nance, Terror Asymmetrics Project on Strategy, Tactics and Radical Ideologies lays out how Russia might invade and what kind of resistance they'll face.
A conversation with Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's Ambassador to the US. She discusses Russia's aggression and Ukraine's resolve to fight it.
Jeff Prescott, Deputy to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, explains how the US is using diplomacy and other tactics to try and stop Russia from invading Ukraine.
Kusti Salm, Permanent Secretary of Estonia's Ministry of Defense says," We are extremely worried about the situation". He says Ukraine is not the ultimate target Russia is after.
Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby discuss the threat and efforts to counter it.
Alexander Vindman, former NSC Director for European Affairs says, "come February" the largest invasion in Europe since World War Two is poised to happen in Ukraine.
State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, discusses the "grave mistake" Russia would make if it invades Ukraine, again. He also talks about US diplomatic efforts to change Russia's calculus, Afghanistan, NATO relations, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Brian Murphy, former Acting Under Secretary for Intelligence Analysis at DHS, and A.T. Smith, former Deputy Director of the Secret Service discuss the lessons intelligence and law enforcement officials learned from January 6th.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas talks about security in the US a year after the January 6th riot, lessons learned, and foreign threats.
David, Paul's twin brother, talks with Target USA about Paul's condition, the status of his incarceration, and what the U.S. is doing.
Rachel Vindman, co-host of The Suburban Women Problem Podcast discusses how her husband Alexander Vindman's unfair dismissal from the National Security Council and loss of his military career, led them to speak out against authoritarianism.
France's Ambassador to the U.S. Phillipe Etienne says the damage done during the AUKUS blunder has not been repaired and "there is more work to do." What will it take to assuage yet another U.S. ally that has been shoved aside? We explore it in this episode.
Kurt Volker, former US Special Representative for the Ukraine Negotiation tells Target USA, there is a very real chance that Russia invades Ukraine and other neighboring countries. And if that happens, it will fundamentally change Europe.
Brian Murphy blew the whistle three times while Acting as Undersecretary of Intelligence at DHS. He talks about widespread efforts to manipulate intelligence for political purposes. He says top officials were not bound by ethics, but loyalty to President Donald Trump.
Retired CIA case officer Robert Baer, perhaps one of the best US intelligence officers in modern times, says Russia is slowly establishing the Soviet empire. He says Ukraine, the Balkans, and the U.S. had better look out.
How did it happen? What will happen to the migrants caught in the middle? Peter Stano, Spokesman for the European Commission explains how Belarus tricked migrants into coming there and what actions the EC is taking.
Dr. Hans Jakob Schindler, Sr. Director at the Counter Extremism Project says the country is in serious trouble. Should the West help the Taliban, which is supporting Al Qaida? He says the choices are "bad, worse, and ugly."
New York Times, Pulitzer Prize-winning, writer Serge Schmemann developed what was called "Moscow Eye" as a young writer in the Soviet Union. Nerves or a weapon? He never found out. But he encourages us to be cautious about how we characterize "Havana Syndrome".
Craig Unger, author of American Kompromat thinks it has a lot to do with Deripaska's connections to the Kremlin and Russian intelligence. He indicates American politics and politicians may be caught up in this as well.
Ambassador Joe Detrani, who was the Director of CIA East Asia Operations, joins us to talk about the threat from the PRC's aggressive actions, China's objectives, and how the center would benefit CIA activities.
Director, Lt. General Scott Berrier sits down for a wide-ranging interview about threats to the U.S. and how DIA is staying ahead of them. In this exclusive interview, he delivers several stark warnings about the nation's adversaries.
Foreign disinformation is driving US vaccine resistance. This is part four of a four-part series of podcasts. Dr. Anthony Fauci counsels us on how to talk to people who are reluctant to get the vaccine. In this series, we connect the dots between a secret foreign influence campaign that recruited social media influencers to spread lies about U.S. COVID vaccines and Americans' resistance to getting vaccinated. This is a Target USA/COLORS Crossover Podcast. More at https://www.podcastone.com/pd/Colors-A-Dialogue-on-Race-in-America
Foreign disinformation is driving US vaccine resistance. This is part three of a four-part series of podcasts. DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association explains how they've met the challenge of players' refusal to get vaccinated. In this series, we connect the dots between a secret foreign influence campaign that recruited social media influencers to spread lies about U.S. COVID vaccines and Americans' resistance to getting vaccinated. This is a Target USA/COLORS Crossover Podcast. More at https://www.podcastone.com/pd/Colors-A-Dialogue-on-Race-in-America
Foreign disinformation is driving US vaccine resistance. This is part two of a four-part series of podcasts. Retired FBI Special Tom O’Connor explains how Russian disinformation works and what their objective is. We connect the dots between a secret foreign influence campaign that recruited social media influencers to spread lies about U.S. COVID vaccines and Americans' resistance to getting vaccinated. This is a Target USA/COLORS Crossover Podcast. More at https://www.podcastone.com/pd/Colors-A-Dialogue-on-Race-in-America
Foreign disinformation is driving US vaccine resistance. This is part one of a four-part series of podcasts. We'll connect the dots between a secret foreign influence campaign that recruited social media influencers to spread lies about U.S. COVID vaccines and Americans' resistance to getting vaccinated. This is a Target USA/COLORS Crossover Podcast. More at https://www.podcastone.com/pd/Colors-A-Dialogue-on-Race-in-America
Fiona Hill became known worldwide when she testified during former President Donald Trump's first indictment. Until recently, what she went through to become a globally recognized expert on Russia and survive in sometimes hostile circles dominated by men, was not well known at all -until her book came along.
He discusses Estonia's outlook on national defense, ZAPAD, Russian aggression, Belarus's provocations, and migrant weaponization.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has raised serious doubts about the relationship between the US and NATO. It was a key topic at the Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn, Estonia September 3-6. We bring you a panel discussion that revealed just how concerned NATO allies are about the relationship.
When the United States needs eyes and ears in critical places where no human can reach – be it over the most rugged terrain or through the most hostile territory – it turns to the National Reconnaissance Office. Director, Dr. Chris Scolese joins us to breakdown what they do.
Douglas Dreyer describes himself as an ordinary American trying to do the right thing. What he's doing is trying to help several Afghan friends get out of Afghanistan. And it's not going so well.
Personal stories about the difficulties Afghans face as they try to escape Afghanistan before U.S. troops leave. Afghan, Ahmadullah Sediqi, a former interpreter for the US military and retired Marine Thomas Praxades share their stories.
Two Afghan brothers, NT and RT, former U.S. military interpreters have wives stuck in Afghanistan under death threats from the Taliban. They tell very personal stories.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani flees Afghanistan as the Taliban claims control of the government and the country. Follow us on twitter @TUSApodcast
Radek Sikorski, Chairman, of the EU-USA delegation in the European Parliament says disinformation and propaganda on social media platforms brought the US to it's knees on January 6th. But he says we still haven't learned our lesson -nor has the rest of the world.
Eric Goldstein, Executive Director of Cyber Security at CISA, and former National Security Council lawyer, John Dermody talk about the threats, challenges and solutions.
Drew Sullivan, co-founder and publisher of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project says using the Pegasus software from the NSO Group, "corrupt and troubled regimes across the world can gain access to vast troves of personal information on just about anyone they want." Follow us on twitter @TUSAPodcast
When the FBI first warned her 8 months ago, she didn't take it seriously. After 5 Iranian regime operatives were indicted for a plot to kidnap her, that's all changed.
Retired Sr. Operations Officer Marc Polymeropoulos discusses his new book and surviving a microwave attack by Russian intelligence. He says the attacks are continuing and praises the CIA's handling of the problem. But he says the State Department's efforts to help diplomats, who've been attacked are falling short.
Bill Browder, who says he has been chased around the world by Kremlin "assassins" dispatched by Vladimir Putin, urges the US to stop trying "to make nice with Putin. There's no nice to be made with Putin. He doesn't do nice". Follow us @TUSAPodcast on twitter for much more on this.
Some call it the school for spies. But ODNI C.O.O. Lora Shiao and University President Dr. Scott Cameron tell us, it's much more than that.
John, an Afghan translator, explains why he helped the U.S. military. James Miervaldes, Chairman of No One Left Behind, says the U.S. is failing John and tens of thousands of other Afghans who are being hunted down and killed by the Taliban. Learn more from @TUSAPodcast on twitter.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Geneva, Switzerland to once again try to reset relations between the two nations. We hear from both of them. Also former Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper weighs in on the importance of the meeting. Follow us on twitter @TUSApodcast for more details that you'll only find there.
The family of Paul Whelan released an audio recording of him this afternoon. It's the first such release and is a clear signal of how much they are depending on President Biden bring him and other Americans being held in Russia, home.
How will the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin impact Americans detained and jailed by the Kremlin. David Whelan says they're keeping their expectations low regarding the release of his brother Paul. Follow us on twitter @tusapodcast for exclusive details and content that you'll only find there.
Former Special Envoy to North Korea, Joe Detrani says there's a limited amount of time to get this done.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs John Kirby lays out the three key objectives; and discusses in detail the threats from adversaries and those that come from within the military itself -like extremism.
Former State Department Deputy Director of Counter Intelligence Robert Booth; and Michael Weiss, Director of Special Investigations at the Free Russia Foundation have some important information to share that will help us figure it out.
"The Homeland is facing threats that have evolved significantly and become increasingly complex and volatile in 2021."
Former CIA covert operative Robert Baer and current and former intelligence officials suspect Russian intelligence agents are attacking U.S. government officials with directed energy weapons inside the U.S.
There is a story about an event in Paris in 2016, a payment and a message that may have shaped the course of the Trump administration and U.S. history. Craig Unger, author of American Kompromat discusses the details.
Former KGB agent, Yuriy Shvets, who defected to the U.S., says a strange deal on television sets in the late 1970s started what's been a decades-long connection between Trump and Russian intelligence.
Part two of our look at "American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed and Power". Author Craig Unger, former KGB agent Yuri Shvets and Atlantic Council Sr. Fellow Anders Asland paint a stark picture of what's happening in the shadows inside the U.S.
Yuri Shvets, former KGB agent and subject of Craig Unger's new book, American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery, says yes! They discuss never before know details of Russian activity directed at Trump and other American politicians.
The Obama administration's warning not to Syria not use chemical weapons went unheeded. How close did we come to a global disaster? Joby Warrick details how Syria fell apart and ISIS almost got all of their weapons.
Ambassador Joe Detrani, former Director of the National Counterproliferation Center, says there is a serious concern that North Korea could make a mistake when it launches missiles. That, he says, could lead to a disaster.
Scott Stewart of Torchstone Global and Bruce Alexander of Security One Solutions break down the threat from electronic surveillance and social engineering in 2021.
The recently retired Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center goes into detail about the threats, challenges and capabilities of the hostile nation states facing the U.S. We've waited several years for this, unrestrained interview. He doesn't disappoint.
Careful with your email. Steven Adair, President of Volexity says "this is literally as serious as it gets. There is no one who is really immune from it." And it's not over yet!
A Qanon conspiracy theory says former President Donald Trump will "triumphantly return" to Washington to become President again on March 4th. But that won't happen. Will rioters return? We look at the Intelligence and talk to former FBI Special Agent Tom O'Connor about why domestic terrorism is a "second tier" problem.
Brett Bruen, former White House Global Engagement Director under President Barack Obama, and now President of the Global Situation Room, says it's something the Biden team needs to think seriously about.
It's a date conspiracy theorists say Donald Trump will return to Washington "to reclaim the Presidency". It won't happen, but former Deputy Director of the Secret Service, A.T. Smith says law enforcement are prepared.
Natalia Arno, President of the Free Russia Society says it was probably no accident that Dr. Sergei Maximishin died suddenly. He treated Vladimir Putin's nemesis Alexei Navalny, after he was poisoned in Russia last year.
Anders Aslund, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, studies Russian politics, corruption and economic issues says Navalny has backed Putin into a corner and the world is watching what Putin does.
Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Sr. Director of the Counter Extremism Project and A.T. Smith, former Deputy Director of the Secret Service examine what motivates those looking to engage in this violence and; we hear about international terror threats as well.
Marc Polymeropoulos and Douglas London, two retired CIA clandestine officers discuss how the US's adversaries will try to use the imagery from the riot to disparage the U.S. They also talk about how to track down those responsible.
Who was behind the riot on Jan 6th that led to 5 deaths at the U.S. Capitol? What will the fallout be? Senator Mark Warner and former Deputy Director of the Secret Service A.T. Smith discuss a dark chapter in American history.
An inside, up-close look at the violence, death, destruction and panic triggered by a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters at the US. Capitol and the what likely was happening at the White House. Mitchell Miller from WTOP and former White House Situation Room Director Larry Pfeiffer join us.
Former Deputy DNI Sue Gordon explains the danger and damage of a recent, massive cyber hack and why Russia is the likely culprit.
The U.S. is in the grips of Russian disinformation, dark money and "our own dishonest politics". Fiona Hill, Douglas London, Anders Asland, Senator Mark Warner, and others top national security experts put the threat into context.
Dr. Christopher Paul, a senior social scientist at the Rand Corporation, explains how Russia's disinformation game has put the U.S. in a very tough spot.
Author Cynthia Miller-Idriss discusses her new book "Hate in the Homeland: The New Global Far Right."
Senator Mark Warner, Former DIA Deputy Director Douglas Wise and former presidential briefer David Priess discuss the transition, the challenges ahead and what the intelligence is saying about the future.
Victoria Coleman, DARPA's new director, talks about the agency's role in the historically rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine. She says that's a part of what the agency was built to do, 62 years ago.
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah was the mastermind behind the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. He was killed on the streets of Tehran, Iran recently. Dr. Hans Jakob-Schindler, Sr. Director of the Counter Extremism Project details how it happened and why it's significant.
Larry Pfeiffer, former CIA Chief of Staff and White House Situation Room Director, worries that President Donald Trump's massive debt will make him a target for espionage after he leaves office. He also is concerned about people around Trump who may find it hard to find jobs after leaving the administration, being targeted as well.
Even though the votes are all in, former DNI Jim Clapper says he's concerned that Russia still has another 2020 Election play left. 50 plus years of intelligence knowledge shouldn't be ignored.
Marc Polymeropoulos was in Moscow in 2017 when he was hit, twice, with a debilitating sonic attack, just like American diplomats in Cuba and China. Guess who was behind it? Guess what the C.I.A. did? Listen and find out.
The retired Army General and former National Security Advisor is blunt about his rocky tenure at the White House and insightful about the ecosystem of Russia's disinformation efforts as he discusses his new book "Battlegrounds".
Over the weekend, North Korea delivered what some experts call an "October surprise" to the U.S. It's a massive, new, nuclear-capable missile, that could reach the whole of the U.S. What's Kim's Jong Un's end-game? Dr. Jung Pak, the CIA's former top analyst on North Korea and Kim Jong Un, and author of "Becoming Kim Jong Un" breaks it down.
Is the U.S. Army ready to fight tonight? General Michael X. Garrett, Commander of U.S. Forces Command (FORSCOM) says not only are they ready, but they would win overwhelmingly. But, U.S. adversaries are getting better each day. Is the U.S. Army maintaining its edge?
Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition politician and VP of the Free Russia Foundation was poisoned twice by Russian intelligence. He tells us a chilling story of his ordeal. He also pulls back the covers on the Kremlin's assassins and their motives.
Douglas London, former member of the CIA's Clandestine Service discusses the internal struggle at the Agency to keep certain intelligence... quiet. And you might be surprised by what you hear.
Mikita Mikado, CEO of Pandadoc is fighting to get four employees released from jail in Belarus. They were seized after he protested the Lukashenko regime's brutality.
Natalia Arno, Founder and President of the Free Russia Foundation exposes new details about the plot to poison Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny; and pushes for an international investigation.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talks with Target USA about the dangerous threat COVID-19 poses to national security and the threats he faces.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is the house wife, who sparked a rebellion against Belarusian dictator Aleksander Lukashenko. She had to flee to Lithuania because of it. She tells Target USA Lukashenko's days as leader of the country are coming to an end.
Va. Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and former CIA clandestine service member Douglas London discuss the surprising and concerning findings of the years-long investigation. They also look at new troubles that lay ahead.
Why did Russia interfere in the 2016 election? Why are they at it again in 2020? Marc Polymeropoulos spent the last years of his CIA career digging into why Russia is trying to destroy the U.S. He shares his thoughts with Target USA. Some of what he says may surprise you.
U.S. intelligence has shown evidence Russia is trying to interfere in the 2020 election. Former Director of National Security Jim Clapper says this time Russia, having learned from its mistakes in 2016, has become better at hiding its activities. He explains how.
Identity thieves are becoming more and more bold. Listen to this encounter; and learn how recognize them and how to stop them.
China has had a really bad week and former House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers says, this is likely the beginning of a very rough patch. Economic espionage, 5G, the Houston consulate closure, extradition treaties and trade limits are all facing China as the West shuts down its quest to dominate the world.
Douglas London, a retired CIA officer tells Target USA, it's "uncomfortable" watching the interaction between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, because it's "clearly a rather co-dependent, denial and deception campaign."
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton joins Target USA to reveal details about his book, working in the Trump Administration, Russian bounties to kill US troops, Venezuela, Iran and North Korea. Also former Deputy National Security Advisor Mark Pfeifle discusses what the National Security Council should be doing to deal with the Russia “bounty” situation.
On June 16, North Korea destroyed the joint liaison office it operated with South Korea. Ambassador Joseph Detrani, former U. S. Special Envoy to North Korea, says that was significant and dangerous because the building was a symbol of peace between North Korea and South Korea.
The US started nuclear talks with Russia this week in Vienna. They’ve concluded one round of discussions on one of the weightiest issues of our time -what to do with their weapons. Steve Andreasen, a consultant with the Nuclear Threat Initiative reminds us that Russia is still an existential threat to the US.
American Paul Whelan, arrested and tried for what his family believes was a "set up", was sentenced to a long prison term this week. They say their only hope now is the U.S. government -which hasn't done anything to help -so far. But that may be changing now.
For decades, law enforcement and intelligence officials in the US have been trying to figure out and stop the PRC from stealing intellectual property from the U.S. Now, it may be game over for Beijing's IP thieves. Former Seal Team 6 member and CEO of Data Tribe, Mike Janke explains.
46 year old George Floyd died on a street in Minneapolis, with a police officer's knee on his neck. His brutal, gut-wrenching death was viewed around the world and may have ignited a new era of racial dialogue.
It was Nov 21, 2019, when a voice that will echo in the halls of American power for decades issued a stark warning to U.S. legislators and the millions that watched on television. Dr. Fiona Hill’s distinctive voice and profound, curated knowledge of Russian intelligence activities and tactics set the record straight during President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearing. She joins Target USA to sound the alarm again –this time about ourselves.
For almost a decade, the only way for Americans to get into space was to buy a seat on a Russian rocket. That changes today. In her first broadcast interview USAF Secretary Barbara Barrett discusses the future of the US Space Force plus hostile actors in space, modernization of the Air Force and more.
Is it possible the COVID-19 virus was already circulating in the U.S. in November? Noted pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek says, "It's not just possible, it's likely."
The US and China are on a collision course. It’s been taking shape for decades, but COVID-19 has brought this all to a head a lot sooner than most people imagined. We investigate it on this episode.
For weeks now, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been out of sight, prompting many to believe he's dead or very ill. In this episode, Ambassador Joe Detrani, one of the world's preeminent experts on North Korea tells Target USA, Kim has been planning for this day.
Former CIA covert operative Robert Baer says US intelligence still doesn't know exactly where the COVID 19 virus came from. Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, a scholar and epidemiologist from John's Hopkins University says considering the dangerous nature of the virus, opening the country up to general activity too soon, could be a big mistake.
With each passing day, the number of questions about the origin of the COVID-19 virus grows. First we heard it came from a snake, then we heard it came from a bat. So where did it come from? Former CIA officer and Chinese expert Nicholas Eftimiades points us in the right direction.
The whole world is waiting for the day that everything goes back to normal after this corona virus scare is in the rear view. Well, that’s not going to happen for a while. But after Russia and China, made grand plays for power during this crisis, David Kilcullen, a former soldier, military strategist and professor at Arizona State University tells Target USA, what could happen soon is a war; and the global order could be changing as well.
The leaders of the White House Coronavirus Task Force say as many as 240 thousand or more people in the US could die from this outbreak. On this episode, we talk with Beth Cameron, PhD, VP of Global Biological Policy and Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. She’s the former senior director for global health security and bio defense on the White House National Security Council staff. She discusses what the world needs to do get ahead of this coronavirus and what lessons have been learned.
As the corona virus, known as COVID-19 sweeps the world, Target USA speaks with Robin Simcox, from Britain, Lao Petrilli of Italy and Eeva Eek Pajuste of Estonia to hear how they are impacted, and what the U.S. should expect. We also spoke to cyber security experts Rachel Tobac of Social Proof Security and Adam Meyers of Crowdstrike about measures teleworkers can take to protect themselves and their homes.
In 2007 Estonia was on its knees, the victim of a vicious Russian cyber-attack. Since that time Estonia has risen to its feet, dusted itself off and, in 2020, is now teaching the world how to deal with Russian aggression. Target USA sat down with the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid to hear firsthand how they do it, about the Three Seas Initiative and much more.
Tomeu Vadell has been held in Venezuela -- along with four other Americans and one permanent U.S. resident -- by the government of Venezuela for 2 years and 112 days. In a sometimes emotional interview, Tomeu Vadell's wife Dennysse and his daughter Cristina opened up to Target USA about his detention, the harsh conditions and their pleas for help from the U.S. government.
From coronavirus to Russian aggression, the U.S. military is facing a lot of problems. The No. two official at the Pentagon sat down with Target USA to discuss the challenges and threat the military faces and the solutions.
Since the sudden resignation of Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, on February 21, 2020, the U.S. Intelligence Community has struggled to figure out what's next. This short episode provides some background on what happened, how we got here and what's next. There will be more extensive coverage.
Something weird happened with the stock market this week: It dropped about 1,800 points in two days. That's not the weird part, though. What's strange is that a software company called Blackbird AI, which uses artificial intelligence to track disinformation, discovered a sinister effort to manipulate and distort information about the spread of coronavirus. Wasim Khaled, CEO of Blackbird AI, joins us to explain what they learned and why this is a serious national security risk.
Imminent nation-state threats to U.S. national security, pernicious cyberattacks and looming global health crises, like the 2019 novel coronavirus, are but a small fraction of the burgeoning front-line intelligence challenges facing the nation. On this episode, Deirdre Walsh, Chief Operating Officer in the Office of the Director National, identifies the threats and details the plan for dealing with them.
Croatia recently took over the presidency of the European Union. Croatia has its work cut out for it because the EU is facing a lot of challenges, not the least of which is the uncertainty looming because of the now-complete Brexit. Also there’s the big question of what Russia is doing in the region, something the U.S. constantly frets about. Pjer Simunovic, Croatia's ambassador to the U.S., joins Target USA to discuss the challenges that lie ahead.
You might remember hearing in recent weeks about Russian intelligence agents allegedly plotting to bug the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. There also may have been an assassination plot involved. Bill Browder, a British businessman, author and the self-described public enemy No. 1 for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was the alleged target. He joins us on this episode of Target USA to tell us exactly what happened.
We know that Russia, China, Iran, non-nation state hacktivists and even domestic activists are actively attempting to interfere in the U.S. 2020 Presidential election. But what's not well known is that altering the election results may not be their ultimate goal. Shelby Pierson, the election threats executive from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, joins us to talk about the threats and what her team is doing to stop them.
The U.S. government is worried that China’s intelligence services may get into the 5G networks of its global partners and harm U.S. national security interests. On this episode, we learn they are already in many networks including our own personal ones. Command Sergeant Major William Rinehart talks about the steps the U.S. military is taking to protect the nation from these threats.
This episode deals with one overarching question: Was the crew of UIA 752 -- which likely was asleep during Iran's bombing campaign of U.S. forces in Iraq -- know it was too dangerous to fly the morning they took off from Tehran? Information we’ve obtained and experts we spoke to suggest they may have never known.
During a week of high drama between the U.S. and Iran, a top Iranian general was assassinated by the U.S. Americans on military bases in Iraq had to run for cover from Iranian launched ballistic missiles, and the leaders of both nations have warned that more attacks could be coming. But what kind of attacks could Iran be planning? Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, and Adam Meyers of Crowdstrike break down the threat for us.
In a stunning and devastating airstrike, on January 2nd, the US military killed General Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp and Quds Force. This special report lays out what we've learned about it and what's next.
As we start 2020, we take a look back at one of best episodes of 2019 -Episode 190. It's part three of a four part series called "The Fog of Espionage". More in-depth coverage of espionage is coming in 2020. This episode provides the backstory.
On this edition of Target USA Radek Sikorski, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the United States in the European Parliament discusses the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead -including China.
For the fourth time in U.S. history, a sitting president has gone through the impeachment process. What are the national security implications of impeachment? Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson joins us to lay them out.
The shocking public displays of animosity and aggression among NATO allies at the London Summit in November suggests NATO really is falling apart -- just as Russia had hoped. On this episode of Target USA, Jonathan Vseviov, Estonia’s ambassador to the U.S., tells us that public appearances say a lot about the state of affairs inside NATO, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Few if any leaders of nation-states will publicly acknowledge they've been hacked, and what's worse, they won't share intelligence, even with their allies. In this episode Col. Jaak Terian, director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence, explains why. Also Col. Andrew Hall, director of the Army's Cyber Institute, talks about how the U.S. Army is preparing for the future fight against cyber threats.
Earlier this year we traveled to Morocco to observe Exercise African Lion. It is an annually scheduled, multinational military exercise, with the U.S. and Morocco playing the leading roles. It's designed to improve interoperability, mutual understanding and prepare for the possibility that the two countries and other allies would need to collaborate in a real-time military operation. In this episode, we explore plans for African Lion 2020, with Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, Commanding General of U.S. Army Africa
Have you ever heard of the Dossier Center or Bellingcat? They're two of the preeminent online investigative journalism groups in the world. Quite often Russian corruption is their target. On this edition of Target USA, we'll take a look at exactly what they do, what the risks are, and how they're trying to get at their targets -- which often include close friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Former FBI Agent Robert Levinson was last seen on Kish Island in Iran in 2007. His family has been begging and pleading with the Iranian government to let him go. Iran has always denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. But now there’s new hope for his return home. Hear his story from 2007 up to the latest developments on this edition of Target USA.
For weeks the nation has been preoccupied with a phone call President Donald Trump made to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. What was said has resulted in an impeachment inquiry against Trump. Also at issue is the transcript of the call and who had access to it. In this episode, we examine how a presidential call is set up, monitored, and, most of all, documented. You may be surprised about what we found.
In part one of our chat with Ms. El-Atr she detailed how they met and got married. In this episode, she details her struggles to get her marriage recognized.
URGENT: ISIS leader Abakr al Baghdadi is was targeted in a US military raid in northwestern Syria and he's believed to be dead.
You probably haven’t heard of her before, because Hana El Atr, has for the first time revealed her identity and her marriage to journalist Jamal Kashoggi. She says it happened months before he was allegedly killed in Turkey in 2018. While it's not your typical national security story, it looms large because he worked for an influential US company. El Atr tells her story only to Target USA.
In this series we've learned that there are more than three million spies around the world eyeing the U.S. We've examined who they are and the tactics they use. A former U.S. agent gave us a glimpse into a day in the life of American spies. Now, in the conclusion, what should we expect in the future? What tactics are coming? Where will the spies originate from? And can the U.S. handle the threat?
What's it like to be an American spy? There are two scenarios: an American who is spying for the U.S. government, and an American overseas who’s running spies. Either way, it’s a complicated, dangerous and nerve-wracking experience. On this episode we take you deep into the murky world of American spies.
Russia and China are espionage powerhouses, but a tiny nation may be the most dangerous of all. Cuba has run an extensive spying operation inside the U.S. for decades and, according to sources, continues to this day. One of its spies was Ana Montes, who according to some, is one of the most damaging U.S. spies -- ever. FBI Special Agent Pete Lapp breaks down her case and the danger.
Peering through the still lingering haze of the Cold War, U.S. intelligence officials and their allies have detected murky, ominous crisis sweeping the planet. As the mist of an uncertain future, driven by new “Great Power” conflicts, roll in, they have determined that a potent new strain of espionage is now their No. 1 1 threat, one that eclipses terrorism. This four-part series will look deep into the threats and the actors, and examine what the U.S. is doing about them. Part one sets the scene for what is a new existential threat, much like the former Soviet Union — but smaller, more diverse and equally as lethal.
On the prior episode, we got news that Paul Whelan -- who's being held in a Russian prison on espionage charges -- had been injured and had complained about rough treatment by guards. Since news from his family about his worsening condition has gained widespread attention, it seems as though Congress has taken a deeper interest in getting him out of there. Elizabeth Whelan, Paul Whelan’s sister, joins us for an unvarnished, candid interview about the hard road to get America to sit up and take notice of his case.
Paul Whelan has been held in Russia’s notorious KGB-era prison, Lefortovo, since December of 2018. He’s allegedly committed espionage. No evidence has been presented. No indictment has been handed up and despite public ridicule, Russia’s intelligence service, the FSB, continues holding him. Recently he was injured and complained about rough treatment by guards. His twin brother David updates Target USA.
There have been four mass shootings since July. Forty four people have died. Brian Harrell, assistant director of the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency, tells Target USA they're taking action.
Since its so-called "caliphate" collapsed in October 2018, the Islamic State group has remained a threat. It’s killed more than 400 people in worldwide terror attacks. Colonel Scott Rawlinson, spokesman for U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve, joins Target USA from Baghdad to discuss the continued fight to neutralize the group and how it’s being done.
The potency of Clarissa Ward’s reporting from the Central African Republic for CNN is undeniable. We talk with her about the dangerous proposition of trying to uncover the exploits of “Putin’s Army,” better known as the Wagner group, a dangerous private army believed to have murdered other journalists there. We also hear about the shocking intimidation and harassment Ward and her crew faced.
During an event recorded in front of a live audience at D.C.'s Politics and Prose bookstore and punctuated by light moments and difficult questions from the audience, host JJ Green interviewed author Philip Mudd about the hours and days after the 9/11 attacks and the decisions the CIA made to try to extract information from people it believed could lead them to the perpetrators of the attacks.
North Korea has launched more than a half-dozen missiles in the past few weeks. Many of them are new variants, which suggests that North Korea is continuing to march toward building nuclear weapons. At the same time, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has all but demanded the U.S. to return to negotiations. What's North Korea’s objective? What will the U.S. likely do? Former U.S. Special Envoy Joe Detrani talks with Target USA about the options.
Every country on the planet is thinking about one thing: the next step in the progression of cyber warfare and what the weapons of the future will look like. Tanel Sepp, cyber policy director for Estonia’s Ministry of Defense, tells us what to expect on this episode of Target USA.
Have you tried the new appearance-altering computer applications? Suddenly, the technology has become a national security concern. On this episode, we hear what people think and a warning from the former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Leaders from NATO, the FBI, and cyber security firms Crowd Strike and Fire Eye all agree securing personal, government, military and corporate data is among the most daunting challenges of the modern era -- and it's high time all people wake up to the danger the face from cyber insecurity.
The next generation of cellular network technology is about to hit markets around the world. But there's a big problem: The main producer of the technology is Huawei, and the company allegedly has built backdoors into more than 50% of the equipment. That raises serious national security issues for every country on the planet. Raul Rikk, Estonia's national cyber security policy director, William Evanina, director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Cyber Security Center, and Joel Brenner, former U.S. national counterintelligence executive explain the problem and address the solutions.
Criminals, terrorists and other bad actors now have a powerful new tool to help them. It’s the dark web’s cybercrime market place. Wil Van Gemert, Deputy Executive Director of Operations at Europol discusses how that new marketplace works.
Elizabeth Horst has been posted to some of the toughest places on earth, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Moscow. And speaking of Russia, Estonia is the frontline in the Western defense against Russian aggression. Horst tells Target USA what it’s like working there.
Brian Dugan, assistant special agent in charge of counterintelligence at the Washington Field Office of the FBI, joins Target USA to put the problem into context and explain how they’re dealing with it.
The world has recently seen the devastation that can be caused by the amorphous realm that is cyber. Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, Estonia's ambassador at-large for cybersecurity, discusses how diplomats are going about putting rules in place, how they are going to be enforced and where they are in the process.
The legendary woman, who created some of the CIA's most ingenious disguises, talks about the rules of the road for U.S. spies in Moscow, her career and her famous husband, the late Tony Mendez of "Argo" fame.
Brigadier Gen. Maria Biank talks with Target USA about the U.S. European Command's efforts to defend against cyber threats.
The Pakistani government says it's "cleansed" the tribal areas of terrorism and that there's no organized terrorist activity happening inside Pakistan. Also on this episode, Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan discusses the fact that Pakistan is Iran’s official representative here in Washington.
More than 10,000 spies are believed to be residing in Washington, D.C., living among a population of about 700,000 people. That means one in every 70 people you run into in D.C. is likely a spy. How do you tell? What are they up to? How do they do their work? Many of the answers and the profound history of espionage lie inside a new glass and steel structure called the International Spy Museum.
The report is in. The investigation is over. There will be no more indictments, arrests or trials. Now, the nation is locked in a battle over impeachment and executive privilege. How did we get here and how will we get out? Answers on this edition of Target USA.
Ambassador Joe Detrani is the former U.S. Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks with North Korea. He tells Target USA that Kim Jong Un’s decision to launch a short-range ballistic missile over the weekend was dangerous and shortsighted. It could signal the end any meaningful chance to achieve denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
In August 2018, Alireza Jafarzadeh was eating in a Los Angeles restaurant. He noticed a very friendly waiter offering exceptional service, free food and a lot of attention. He later learned from the FBI, the waiter was a part of a "capture and kill" scheme cooked up by Iranian intelligence. Listen as Jafarzadeh explains what happened on this episode of Target USA.
More than 350 died and more than 500 were wounded after a series of coordinated blasts rocked the island-nation of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler Sr., the director of the Counter Extremism Project, says this shocking attack was the Islamic State group’s way of announcing that its new reign of terror is underway.
As we learn more from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on "The investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election," it's clear the Russian government and its key intelligence agencies ran a long-term, sophisticated interference operation that we're just beginning to understand. Target USA host JJ Green details some of the early takeaways from the report.
A Maryland man plotted to run over people using a stolen U-Haul. FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Moore, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski and WTOP Reporter Megan Cloherty join us to explain what happened and what’s next in the war against terrorism.
Target USA host JJ Green discussed the arrested of Julian Assange and explains what led up to it.
Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa, breaks down Exercise African Lion 2019, which took place in Morocco. He discusses what happened, why it was important and what it means for the future of the U.S. military, and its military partners in Africa and beyond.
Terrorism experts Tricia Bacon, Douglas Wise and Bruce Alexander join us to lay out their views on terror groups, tactics and the future of terrorism.
Philip Mudd was the deputy director of the FBI’s National Security Division. He was appointed to that position by Robert Mueller. In this episode, he talks about Mueller's report and how to deal with Moscow in the future.
It's been five years since Russian annexed Ukrainian territory. Now Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze tells Target USA they're about to do it again.
Maria Butina, a young Russian woman, pleaded guilty to charges that she was working as an illegal agent of the Russian Federation in the U.S. Her lawyer Robert Driscoll joins Target USA to talk about why she did that and the possibility that she'll be sent back to Russia as early as mid-April.
In a world that seems to be careening out of control, what keeps the intelligence official whose job it is to provide the U.S. government with "decision advantage" up at night? You might be surprised by his answer.
President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un are meeting for the second time to try to put an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Former Special Envoy Joseph Detrani and the Nuclear Threat Initiative's Richard Johnson -- who've both worked on shutting down North Korea's nuclear program -- join us to tell us what needs to be done.
More than 600 high-level international decision makers from politics, business, academia and civil society along with throngs of media gathered in Munich for what was arguably the most important gathering in the 55-year history of the Munich Security Conference. But instead of harmony, conflict was center stage. NATO, defense cooperation, Russian aggression, cyber and climate change were just some of the many urgent problems discussed. What was accomplished? And will those accomplishments make a difference in the quest to resolve those problems? A chorus of powerful and candid voices join us on Target USA to assess this pivotal conference.
On Feb. 7 Robert Cardillo retired as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. But, the day before he did that, he sat down with Target USA for a final time. And something he said was quite troubling -- true, but troubling.
On Feb. 1, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the U.S. was going to withdraw from the historic Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), negotiated in 1987 by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. This came after years of discussions, technical meetings and intelligence sharing by U.S. officials to show the Putin regime that it was breaking the rules of the treaty, that the U.S. knew about it, and that it would be best for all if Russia came back into compliance. Andrea Thompson, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs, has led the State Department's efforts and joined Target USA to discuss the impact of the withdrawal and what's next.
Paul Whelan is an American who was arrested on Dec. 28 in Moscow. The Russian government says he was caught red-handed committing espionage. But they've never said what he was doing -- except that he received a USB flash drive from someone in a hotel that allegedly contained classified information. And what's worse for the family is that the Kremlin is denying him the ability to get the help he needs from the U.S. government. Whelan's twin brother David Whelan returns to Target USA to explain the latest concerning developments. Among them is the Russian government’s continued refusal to explain the charges.
Nancy McNamara is assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. We continue the conversation we started with her in Episode 150. But in addition to the challenging work the FBI faces, its employees now have to face it all with no pay checks. The stark and grim reality of the impact of the federal government shutdown on U.S. national security and FBI employees is presented in a conversation with Tom O'Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association, on this program.
On our last podcast episode, we talked with David Whelan about his brother Paul Whelan's detention in Russia on what many believe are bogus charges. The Russian government says he was caught in the act of committing espionage. But on this episode Valerie Plame, a former CIA covert operations officer, explains why Whelan is not likely a CIA spy and why Moscow probably framed him.
On Dec. 28, former U.S. Marine and citizen of the U.S. citizen Paul Whelan disappeared in Russia. Since then, his story has captivated the world. Three days later he turned up in a Russian prison, arrested for allegedly committing espionage. What was he doing there? What’s the basis for the charges? Is he a "pawn" in a political tug of war between the U.S. and Russia? In an extensive interview, Target USA spoke with Whelan's twin brother David Whelan, and got answers to all those questions and many more. Some of the answers may surprise you, and after you listen there'll be no doubt about just how serious this situation is.
Russian and Chinese espionage operations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the international headaches the FBI has to deal with. The Washington Field Office of the FBI is in the eye of those storms and many others, from violent crime to terrorism and the opioid crisis. Nancy McNamara, assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office, sits down with Target USA for an extended look at the threats, challenges and actors it's facing.
Russia's trolls, Kremlin linked assassinations, spies in the U.S., North Korea's missiles, the Skripal poisonings and the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing were all stories that dominated our coverage in 2018. And as we look back, we’ll review those stories and others that made big headlines this year.
Melvyn Levitsky is a retired State Department foreign service officer. He served, among other posts, as the U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria from 1984 to 1987, and as the political officer at the US Embassy in Moscow from 1972 to 1975. During those years he curated an astounding amount of intelligence about Soviet government oppression, corruption and other activities. Curiously, as Vladimir Putin's "regime" has been implicated in a blatant attempt to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and, again, in the 2018 midterm elections, Levitsky's historical knowledge provides a clever and perceptive blueprint for how to confront a new Cold War.
Africa has a serious terrorism problem from the Islamic State group, al-Qaida, al-Shabab, Boko Haram and numerous other small groups that seek constantly to take advantage of the instability on the continent. The U.S. has for many years sought to help African nations develop their own capacities to better secure themselves. But longstanding problems reaching back to Africa's colonial era, when the land was carved up at the Berlin Conference in the late 1800s, and later corruption, foreign meddling, natural and human disasters has kept the continent, as a whole, in a constant state of instability. The U.S. military plays a major role in helping Africa help itself. Major Gen. Roger Cloutier, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa, joins us on this episode of Target USA, to bring some context to its mission.
George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, passed away on Nov., 30, 2018 at the age of 94. He lived a big life. He was a naval war hero, Congressman, UN Ambassador, Ambassador to China, director of the CIA, Vice President, President, global statesman and a very kind person. He accomplished a lot. His friends and family say he was smart, fearless and funny, but, perhaps, his greatest attribute was his compassion for others. On this episode, we look back at his life and at a very special state funeral.
The Kremlin is believed to have as many as 75,000 informants in London alone. They are allegedly being handled by hundreds of Russian spies inside the United Kingdom. Dr. Andrew Foxhall breaks down the numbers in a new report from the Henry Jackson Society. In the U.S., Russia has been dramatically increasing its spy population, as well. Former CIA officer John Sipher paints a picture of the Kremlin's spy activity in Washington and beyond.
Our series, Assassins Incorporated: The Kremlin's Secret Squad of Killers, featured four episodes about people who were murdered, were victims of attempted murders or were the family members of those targeted -- all incidents that were allegedly connected to the Kremlin. The objective was to take a closer look at what appeared to be network of people and organizations that were active in locations from central Asia to Washington and many major cities in between and beyond. In this final segment of the series, we discuss the burning question -- would the Kremlin order the killing of Americans in the U.S.?
Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko spoke out against the Kremlin and, like many others, was marked for death. But he managed to elude and expose those who sought to kill him. He faked his own death. In this episode, an exclusive interview, he details how it all happened, moment by moment.
In 2016, Mike Flynn burst on the national stage with his famous "lock her up" comments at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, in reference to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. He eventually became President Donald Trump's national security adviser but was fired 24 days into the job after suspicions about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russians came to light. Target USA digs deeper into who Flynn is, partly through a never-before broadcast interview from 2015 that sheds some light on his military career and his views on Russia.
On this program Marina Litvinenko, widow of Alexander Litvinenko, tells the difficult story of the moment she learned he was poisoned, his brave battle before he died and her ongoing fight for justice. On this episode, she warns U.S. law enforcement officials about Russia's assassins. Previously on episode 141, we told you the story of Paul Joyal, who was shot in his driveway in Adelphi, Maryland on March 1, 2007. Police originally said it was a robbery. But nothing -- not even money, a car or a computer -- was stolen. The case was never solved. Joyal and many experts believe it was a contract hit, carried out because Joyal accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing his friend Alexander Litvinenko.
Previously on episode 140, we started our series, "Assassins Incorporated: The Kremlin's secret squad of killers," by presenting our investigation, which began in March 2016. The objective was then -- and is now -- to use the stories and words of victims to illustrate that the many suspicious and, in some cases, "accidental" deaths of Russians and others were more than just suspicious and accidental. They are incidents that deserve a closer look. The story of Paul Joyal, who was shot in his driveway in Adelphi, Maryland in on March 1, 2007 -- a case that has never been solved -- is highlighted in this episode.
In March 2016, Target USA began investigating the suspicious deaths of Russian diplomats and others around the world linked, in some way, to the Kremlin. Some of them died in the U.S. — in New York and D.C. The deaths of some were deemed “natural.” Others were obviously murdered. The investigation, which also examined failed assassination attempts, revealed a persistent pattern and a recurrent scheme involving money, power and revenge. Starting with this episode, we’re bringing you a series of four podcasts examining this critical issue. We interviewed dozens of people, including victims, their family members, diplomats, journalists, U.S. intelligence, U.S. law enforcement officials and sources, members of Congress, and experts in order to gain a better understanding of how this deadly ring of killers operates.
This is a special preview program designed to set the stage for a series of podcasts that will be the culmination of more than a year and a half of research and preparation. The series will focus on the U.S.-Russia enigma, and the life and death struggle underway in the shadows. A number of outspoken voices have faced this struggle head on. Some have won and some have lost. Each day the struggle grows more and more critical.
The Trump administration has ordered the Palestine Liberation Organization delegation office in Washington to close on Oct. 10. Maen Areikat, former chief representative of the General Delegation of the PLO Delegation, told Target USA that the Trump administration is shortsighted. But Kenneth Bricker, a spokesman for The Israel Project, said the PLO provoked the action. We hear both sides on this episode.
The U.S. is struggling with the effects of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and the upcoming 2018 midterm elections. This isn't the first time such an operation has taken place. Estonia found itself the victim of a similar attack in 2007. On this episode, Jonatan Vseviov, Estonia's U.S. ambassador, explains how the U.S. can recover and become resilient to such attacks.
Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., spoke exclusively with Target USA and confirmed that four of the five key phases of the probe are finished. The fifth and the most potentially explosive -- the question of whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin -- is now in progress. During the interview, Warner revealed his belief that Kremlin meddling is not just limited to cyber-attacks and disinformation, but that it may involve people working inside the U.S.
Marat Mindiyarov worked in the nerve center of Russia's infamous St. Petersburg troll house. He saw the plan, reluctantly participated in the plot and played a key role in the Internet Research Agency. The organization conducted an operation to trick Americans on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms into believing a Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign -- until he could no longer put up with the hours, the drudgery and diabolical plot. So he quit and began sounding alarm. Shortly afterward he was arrested. We have all the details on this episode.
In March, Pyongyang said it would suspend its nuclear and missile testing programs if the U.S. would sit down and discuss how to improve relations. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did just that. At that time Pyongyang said it would completely give up its nuclear program if it were to get security guarantees. Skeptics found that hard to believe. But on this program, Ambassador Joe Detrani, a former U.S. official who has sat across the negotiating table from North Korean representatives, tells us that making a nuclear deal is going to be difficult, but it can be done.
After almost a year of silence and three years since he was last seen in public, Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi released an audio message on Aug. 22 ostensibly admitting that the brutal terror group had been defeated by the U.S.-led coalition. But in that same message, the crafty, self-appointed caliph tried to rally his troops, the total number of which is disputed. He called on them to launch an insurgency -- something U.S. military officials say will not succeed. In this episode, Col. Sean Ryan, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, and Pentagon Press Secretary Dana White join Target USA to talk about the status of the mission to defeat IS and the size of the organization, and to deliver a prognosis for the fight.
When President Donald Trump announced that former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance was revoked for being too critical of the president, former intelligence community members erupted, fervently defending Brennan. While making it clear that some of them disagreed with Brennan's comments and tone, they were clear. They were firmly behind his right to speak. David Priess, retired CIA officer and former presidential briefer, discussed the impact of the revocation with Target USA.
Tunisia considers itself the U.S.' oldest friend. But in recent years, that friendship has been tested. Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui came to the U.S. in July to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other U.S. officials to talk things over. Before his meeting with Pompeo, he sat down with Target USA.
Bill Browder says he's Russian President Vladimir Putin No. 1 enemy. The reason is the Magnitsky Act, which punishes Russia for corruption. Browder says the Russian government has spent millions of dollars to capture him. He believes they're trying to kill him. In early June, a bizarre episode played out in Madrid that seems to confirm that claim. Browder spoke to Target USA about what happened.
After President Donald Trump's historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16, Putin suggested a trade of sorts. It involved the 12 people indicted in the U.S. on election interference charges and 11 Americans whom Russian authorities would like turned over for "questioning." Some security experts have suggested the Americans might be in danger if such a swap were allowed. Kyle Parker, chief of staff of the Helsinki Commission, is one of those people. And while calm about it all, he's very concerned. And he told Target USA why.
When she was arrested on July 15, Maria Butina, a 29-year-old Russian woman, was portrayed in an online profile as a recent graduate of the American University's Kogod School of Business. She was well-known in conservative political circles around Washington as being pro-gun rights, pro-Russia and pro-Trump. But the FBI thought she was up to something more. In this episode we talk to a classmate, two journalists who got to know her and her attorney about who Maria Butina really is.
What happened between President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin during their one-on-one meeting July 16 in Helsinki may not be fully known for a long time -- if ever. But on this episode, we look at the historic press conference between the two and the fallout afterward. Reuters White House Correspondent Jeff Mason explains what it was like to be in the room. And Robert Baer, who worked almost a decade on Russia issues for the CIA, explains the disgust his former colleagues felt watching the press conference, during which Trump seemed to side with Putin against them.
On June 30 and July 1, four people were arrested by Belgian, French and German authorities. They allegedly had planned to bomb a massive gathering of people who oppose the Iranian regime. Among them were current high-profile officials from the U.S government, military and national security communities. The group that put the event together is the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Maryam Rajavi. The operation to attack the event was allegedly being plotted by a sleeper cell. One of the members that were arrested was carrying TATP, a very volatile explosive that could've caused tremendous damage. Joining is on this program is Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington office of National Council of Resistance of Iran, to explain in detail what happened.
Alexander Goldfarb was close friends with Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian intelligence officer, who was poisoned to death in London in 2006. Two Russian intelligence operatives were behind it. But after the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, another former Russian spy, and his daughter Yulia in March of this year, Russian government-linked media outlets began accusing Goldfarb of killing his friend. Then things turned bizarre. He got a visit from the FBI and his friend’s father began accusing him of killing Litvinenko. Now Goldfarb and Marina Litvinenko, the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, have decided to take action. We have exclusive details on this episode.
Many of Russia's neighbors are concerned about its revanchist intentions. They are worried about the mixed and confusing messages coming from Russia. On one hand, Kremlin officials say they support the independence and free will of neighboring countries, as long as that free will doesn't lead to an alliance with the EU. That's part of the problem going on in Moldova. Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi was in Washington on June 25 to along with Prime Minister Pavel Filip. Ulianovschi talked about the situation while visiting with Target USA.
On June 20, 2018, Russia’s state run news outlet, Interfax, reported that the government had issued its seventh Red notice seeking the arrest of hedge fund manager Bill Browder. Browder, founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, joined Target USA to talk about the intensified efforts to capture him and, in his words, eventually… kill him.
The 2018 NATO Summit is coming up in July in Brussels. Three of the top agenda items are improving the speed of decision making, refining the readiness of NATO forces and enhancing the mobility of NATO forces. Russia is the main reason for this urgency. Three top officials from the EU spoke to Target USA about it.
James Clapper spent more than 50 years in the U.S. intelligence community. His last posting was director of national intelligence, serving under President Barack Obama. He’s written a book about his career called “Facts and Fears.” He spoke with Target USA, and candidly discussed “the truth about Russia’s role in the presidential election,” the Osama bin Laden raid, the Benghazi attack, and the Edward Snowden leaks.
On Aug. 9, 2017, CBS correspondent Steve Dorsey broke the story that U.S. diplomats in Havana had been sickened by a mysterious illness, the cause of which no one could put their finger on. At the time no one had any answers about what happened. Doctors determined they were likely suffering from some kind of ultrasonic device. But since then other possibilities have arisen. Chris Simmons, a retired supervisory counterintelligence officer from the Defense Intelligence Agency with deep experience related to Cuba, has a theory and supporting evidence that makes perfect sense and is very plausible.
The U.S. continues grappling with the effects of the Russian government’s meddling before, during and after the 2016 presidential election. The Kremlin’s main goal of creating a climate of distrust and chaos was largely successful. And in the process, U.S. officials, experts and average citizens are pointing fingers — blaming each other for allowing it to happen. Lithuania, which has had a long and difficult history in Russia’s shadow and has been victimized by Russia’s “alternative” views of truth for many years, has some advice for U.S. officials. Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius visited Washington on May 16 to meet with U.S. officials and counseled against trying to compromise with Russia because, he said, that would be a sign of weakness to the Kremlin.
Two-and-a-half years ago, Suzanne Kelly, one of the top intelligence reporters in the U.S., took a leap. She started an online national security, intelligence publication to offer news consumers in-depth news, analysis and well-qualified experts on those topics. What she got in return far exceeded that. “Our biggest accomplishment to date has been that we very quickly became 'must read' material within the IC (Intelligence Community),” Kelly said. “We're read within the FBI, ODNI, White House and Pentagon. What has surprised me a little bit is how large of a loyal audience we've been able to grow outside of the IC and national security apparatus.” In fact, Microsoft and McDonald’s are among the global private sector companies that depend on The Cipher Brief. Kelly joined us on Target USA to discuss the venture.
The United States and Pakistan have had a steady relationship for 70 years. But in that period, the affiliation has been beset by ups and downs, including the Osama bin Laden saga. Now, yet another “misunderstanding,” as characterized on this episode by Aizaz Chaudhry, Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.S., threatens to derail this critical relationship. And interestingly enough, new information related to the bin Laden story surfaces in this podcast.
The U.S. and North Korea are moving ahead with plans for President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to meet. But what happens after the meeting? Is there enough trust between the two to facilitate a nuclear deal? It’s a big question, especially considering the U.S. has just pulled out of a similar deal with Iran.
On the previous episode, retired U.S. spy John Sipher told Target USA that Russia possibly has as many as 225 spies inside the U.S. -- even after 60 were kicked out in March. Bitterly complaining about it, Russia's ambassador grumbled that no U.S. officials would meet with him. One congressman tells us why. And we hear why the U.S. gets the short end of the stick when it comes to tit-for-tat expulsions.
Russia has more spies in the U.S. than it did during the Cold War. The man who knows all about Russian espionage joins Target USA to break down exactly what the spies are doing and how many are likely at work inside the U.S. during this very tense and dangerous time.
In an exclusive interview, Europol Executive Director Rob Wainwright tells Target USA that it's just a matter time before terrorists turn to cyber to create chaos: "Down the tracks, how far I don't know, I'm pretty sure we'll see some form of cyber enabled terrorism and I'm surprised that we haven't seen that already." He says they can easily develop the capability by utilizing resources available online. Wainwright discusses that, and the recent and eerie lull in major terror attacks.
Dozens of prominent Russians have died in the past four years in Russia and in other countries. Several of them died here in the United States. On this episode, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and former FBI agent and former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers say there is "absolutely" a need for U.S. authorities go back and look at a number of suspicious deaths in the U.S.
Michael Tatham, Britain's deputy ambassador to the U.S., warns Russia "to stop testing Western countries in aggressive, counterproductive ways that increase international tension." If Russia doesn't, cooperate, former CIA officer Robert Baer says Russian President Vladimir Putin's personal fortune should be targeted. Both make their cases on this episode of Target USA.
In the wake of the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in the United Kingdom, Hermitage Capital Management CEO Bill Browder tells Target USA, "The Russians are doing everything they can try to get me, to try to kill me, to try to stop me, to try to intimidate me." Browder, the architect of the Magnitsky Act, says "there are probably 250 people working full time inside the Russian government at any given moment trying to destroy my life." Browder says he's the number one enemy of the Russian government and, specifically, Russian President Vladimir Putin. All the details are available on this episode.
A new and bitter schism between Russia and the west over the poisoning of a former double agent has opened up, and it could have lethal consequences. On this episode, British Prime Minister Theresa May, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and former weapons inspector Dr. David Kay put the potentially deadly situation into context.
Terrorism is shifting into a new phase. U.S. Department of State Counterterrorism Coordinator Nathan Sales says terrorists are getting smarter -- using previous attacks as blueprints. But with the Islamic State group waning, al-Qaida- and Iran-backed terrorism are in resurgent trajectories. Sales says military efforts to fight terrorism are going to wind down, and sophisticated law enforcement and advanced screening measures are going to take precedence.
On this episode, we hear the survival stories from the day in 1993 when "the earth shook" and thick black smoke filled New York's iconic World Trade Center. Six people died and more than a thousand were injured during an attack that many believe set the stage for an even more disastrous attack in 2001. Survivors' audio was provided by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
What's Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivation for interfering in U.S. elections? U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a senior member of the Senate foreign relations committee, tells Target USA that Putin is, perhaps, the richest man in the world and corruption is his business model. And that, according to Cardin, is driving his obsession to sow seeds of chaos in the U.
Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers tells Target USA that in the 1960s Russian intelligence used leaflets and pamphlets to try to interfere in U.S. affairs. But in 2016, the internet, bots, trolls and Americans' anger toward each other made it a lot easier. And in 2018, Rogers says, we should prepare for an even more advanced attack that’s based on the same simple principle.
Having served as a four-star Air Force General and as director of the National Security Agency and the CIA , very few people know more about how Russia's new Cold War-like behavior will impact the U.S. Former CIA director Mike Hayden shares deep insight with Target USA about what to expect in 2018 and beyond.
Two things keep David Pekoske, head of the Transportation Security Administration, awake at night. Worrying about the 60,000-plus men and women on the front lines of the TSA is one. The other, Pekoske says, is "people that we don’t know about " -- meaning terrorists and other criminals who pose a threat to aviation and other modes of transportation security. He talks exclusively to Target USA about those issues, how terrorists are changing their tactics to more effectively attack airplanes, and how the TSA is dealing with the threat.
Grace Jo escaped from North Korea in 2006, but not before her grandmother, father and four siblings died of starvation or simply disappeared while out searching for food. Now with the start of the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea coming up on Feb. 9, Jo says she is suspicious of North Korea's interest in participating and cozying up to South Korea and she tells Target USA that we may soon find out that the warming of relations is what not it seems to be.
This is a continuation of what we started in episode 100 of Target USA. In a rare interview, retired CIA officer Mark Kelton reveals details about his days behind the Iron Curtain and why Russia is a foe that is just as dangerous today as it was at the height of the Cold War. In this episode, Kelton tells us about his work helping Pakistan track down Osama bin Laden and how he contracted a mysterious, yet-to-be-explained illness during that process. He also issues a warning to U.S. officials leading the fight against terrorists today.
On our 100th episode of Target USA, we bring you a very special interview with a retired CIA officer. Mark Kelton reveals the details of a remarkable career, including a harrowing day behind the Iron Curtain in the former Czechoslovakia, the devastating impact of a CIA turncoat, and why he says Edward Snowden is "a liar and traitor." His story is robust, incisive, revealing and timely.
Nine months after the historic investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, Target USA speaks with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Among the stunning developments he shares are that Russia has not stopped trying to interfere in U.S. affairs, that the Steve Bannon revelations in the book "Fire and Fury" contributed to several new threads that will likely extend the investigation, and that some of those who've already testified may have to come back.
During a stream of New Year's Day tweets, President Donald Trump insulted Pakistan leaders, calling them liars and deceitful while taking billions in U.S. aid over a 15-year period. Target USA spoke with Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S., who called the allegations "hurtful and disappointing." Also boiling over right now are longstanding trust issues between the U.S. and Pakistan that stem from the location and killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Chaudhry has a cloaked warning for the U.S. and some advice on moving forward. Note: We extended an invitation to the White House to respond but did not receive a reply.
North Korea, attacks on US diplomats in Cuba, terror attacks in the U.S. and Europe were among the biggest stories of the year, but the undisputed top story of the year was Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. Target USA takes a look back.
As of Dec. 20, the very same instructions that Akayed Ullah used to learn how to build the bomb he detonated in the New York subway attack on Dec. 11 allegedly remains online and available to clever terrorists able to find them. That, along with numerous other clearly stated threats from terror groups to U.S. aviation, rail and other surface transportation systems, commands a growing amount of precious time from Transportation Security Administration officials, who are working day and night to stay ahead of the threat. Stacey Fitzmaurice, deputy assistant administrator at the TSA's Office of Security Operations, and Bob Melan, a security specialist at the surface division of the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement, sat down with Target USA to lay out the threat, some of their counter measures, and how it all impacts TSA's plans to protect the traveling public. Also, Philip Mudd, former CIA and FBI executive, explains what the latest terrorist tactics mean for the future.
On Monday, Dec. 11, a 27-year-old man triggered a strapped-on suicide vest inside a crowded pedestrian tunnel under New York's Port Authority. He was allegedly upset about Christmas posters and other geopolitical issues inside the corridor he targeted. For some reason, the bomb didn't work the way Akayed Ullah, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, had intended it to. It granted everyone around him and brought to the forefront again the general danger that terrorists pose, the specific dreadful nature of a suicide bomber, and the Justice Department's urgent concern about a key tool to fight terrorists that is set to expire on Dec. 31 unless reauthorized by Congress. Department of Justice Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand joined Target USA to explain why Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is so important. Former CIA case officer Robert Baer and counterterrorism expert Fred Burton, vice president of intelligence at Stratfor, also joined us describe the evolving terrorism landscape.
Many think that it's just a matter of time before North Korea is an existential threat to the U. S. "As Kim Jong Un said a few months ago, North Korea's determined to build on their nuclear and missile capabilities," Joeseph DeTrani, former director of the National Counterproliferation Center, says on this episode of Target USA. He says the U.S. and its allies have to stop it from happening. But, is it too late? Retired Lt. Col. Dan Davis, senior fellow at Defense Priorities, raises a key question on the program: "Is there a high chance that one day we'll see a mushroom cloud over Seattle?" The two experts breakdown the latest threat, the U.S.' options and what it all means for you.
On the heels of the announcement that the Islamic State group had essentially been ousted from Iraq in September 2017, the Iraqi military along with Iranian-backed militias launched an incursion into Kirkuk in northern Iraq. Almost 200,000 people have been displaced, hundreds have been killed and Kurdish officials say "ethnic cleansing" is taking place. Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the U.S., shared the details with us. We also spoke with Lt. Gen. Paul Funk II, commander of the Operation Joint Task Force -- Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) coalition in the region, about how all of this is impacting the fight against IS.
Four and a half years after contractor Edward Snowden abruptly left the U.S. with a trove of highly classified secrets, the National Security Agency and its counterparts in the U.S. intelligence community continue to struggle under the crushing impact of his actions. Terrorists, spies and other NSA targets have retreated to the safety of encrypted apps and the deep web. While it's made progress, it will take years before NSA regains its edge. In the meantime, some very nasty things may happen because bad actors are able to hide almost completely. In this episode, NSA Deputy Director George Barnes says Snowden did much more than steal and leak highly classified documents, he opened a window into the NSA's thought process. Although the agency is rebounding very quickly, it's a difficult process.
If you've followed the Target USA podcast, you are familiar with our series of reports called the Anatomy of a Russian Attack. In episodes 83 through 86, we unveiled a nearly yearlong investigation into Russia's meddling, and its attack on the U.S. election in 2016 and American democracy. On this week's episode, we continue the investigation by digging deeper into Russia's operation, why it appeared to be successful and the reality that what we've seen is possibly only the beginning. Former Office of the Director of National Intelligence general counsel Robert Litt, Dr. Christopher Paul with Rand Corporation and Time.com journalist Massimo Calabresi join us with expert context on this episode.
Six months prior to the attack on a New York City bike path, top intelligence officials had an idea something like it was coming. In this episode of Target USA, we revisit a conversation with Nick Rasmussen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who talks about it. Also, the alleged New York attacker said Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was his inspiration. Lt. Gen. Paul Funk II, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force -- Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), updates us on the search for Baghdadi; and European Union commissioner Sir Julian King discusses how IS is changing its tactics.
In the wake of the New York City bike path terror incident on Halloween, many are asking how authorities can stop extremists like the man who ran over innocent people with a truck in the name of IS. One way is an undercover FBI agent -- or more specifically, an undercover Muslim agent like Tamer Elnoury. Still active in the FBI, Elnoury disguises his voice to tell us a vivid story about his book "American Radical," and the tough job that he and his colleagues do. He also shares the way he moves between his real and undercover lives.
Leaks in Washington, terrorism, Russian meddling in the 2016 election, cyber threats to the electric grid and the opioid crisis all are serious concerns for the No. 2 official at the Department of Justice. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein discusses them all in an exclusive interview with Target USA.
We told you the story on Episode 78 of how "official" Washington was rattled on Aug. 9, when news broke that U.S. diplomats in Havana had been sickened a mysterious illness that no one could put their finger on. Target USA has continued digging into the story, and, in this episode, we now have a better idea of what happened and where. Russia may emerge as key suspect. Retired Ambassador Deborah Jones lays out the risks diplomats face there and beyond.
This is the final installment of our four-part Target USA series "Anatomy of a Russian Attack on the U.S." In this episode, Robert Cardillo, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, details how Russia's activities have impacted the U.S. intelligence community. Also, Rod Rosenstein, deputy attorney general at the Justice Department, discusses how they are going to deal with Russia's efforts. And also, a former Russian spy tells us what we should expect in the coming weeks, months and years. As we've told you, the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered operatives to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. A Target USA investigation that began in November 2016 examined how the attack happened, when it started, who was involved and what will lie ahead. We conducted dozens of interviews, in the U.S. and abroad, with current and former U.S. intelligence officials, members of Congress, cyber security and intelligence experts, foreign government officials, Russian nationals and American victims.
This is part three of our four-part Target USA series "Anatomy of a Russian Attack on the U.S." In this episode, former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers pulls back the curtain on Russia's troll farm operation, and intelligence expert Aaron Turner of Gravwell talks about how Russian operatives spied on mobile phones in Washington. As we've told you, the U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered operatives to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. This Target USA investigation, which began in November 2016, examines how the attack happened, when it started, who was involved and what will lay ahead. We conducted dozens of interviews -- in the U.S. and abroad -- with current and former U.S. intelligence officials, members of Congress, cyber security and intelligence experts, foreign government officials, Russian nationals, and American victims.
The U.S. intelligence community has concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered operatives to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election. A Target USA investigation that began in November 2016 examined how the attack happened, when it started, who was involved and what lay ahead. In part two of our four-part Target USA series, "Anatomy of a Russian Attack," we explore the mindset of the Russian operatives behind the meddling and the early origins of the operations.
The U.S. intelligence community has concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered operatives to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election. A Target USA investigation that began in November 2016 examined how the attack happened, when it started, who was involved and what lay ahead. Dozens of interviews were conducted in the U.S. and abroad with current and former U.S. intelligence officials, members of Congress, cybersecurity and intelligence experts, foreign government officials, Russian nationals and American victims.
Sixteen years after the worst terror attack in U.S. history, a former senior operations officer with the CIA says, "the situation is even worse." Mike Maness was overseas when the 9/11 attacks took place. But now he says: "As a country, we tend to have a very short memory. The average citizen seems to have forgotten, or is choosing to ignore, the fact that terrorism is still a very real threat." On this episode, experts Tara Maller with the Counter Extremism Project and Robin Simcox of The Heritage Foundation put the lessons learned and the new threats into perspective.
North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Han Tae Song, said on Sept. 5 that the country's recent nuclear and missile tests "are a gift package addressed to none other than the U.S." The same day, U.S. Ambassador U.N. Nikki Haley said, "Enough is enough," indicating that it's time for more drastic measures to stop North Korea's provocative and dangerous actions. Nuclear weapons in an unstable North Korea raise a range of concerns, including, as Dr. James Turner, former Department of Energy director of the Office of Nuclear Weapons Surety, asks, who's in control of North Korea's nukes?
Eleven trillion gallons of water have fallen in the Houston area. Veteran first responders and globally seasoned journalists stand in awe of the scope of the devastation. The damage is unprecedented, according to Texas National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Travis Walters. On this episode we set the scene, examine the rescue efforts and look at how you can help.
John Eustace retired from the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security in late July. On Target USA, he warns that unless the "leadership" wakes up, a tragedy like the one in Benghazi that left a U.S. ambassador and three others dead is going to happen. Money is the issue. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is being asked to trim its budget at the worst possible time. "The world is on fire, " Fred Burton, former deputy secretary for counterterrorism at the Diplomatic Security Service, told Target USA, and diplomats are the first line of defense.
"Official" Washington was rattled on Aug. 9 when news broke that U.S. diplomats in Havana had been sickened a mysterious illness that no one could put their finger on. It was so bad that several had to be sent home or reassigned. It had been going on for months. But no one had any answers until doctors determined they were likely suffering from some kind of ultrasonic device. It is a weapon that authorities struggled to define. CBS correspondent Steve Dorsey broke the story. He tells Target USA what he's learned. Also, former State Department counterintelligence official Robert Booth tells us he believes he's figured out what happened.
The Defense Intelligence Agency is bracing and preparing for "alarming" global changes, which include more frequent and more destructive wars, increasingly damaging cyberattacks, progressively belligerent and hostile nation-states, more clever and deceptive terrorists, and natural disasters that dwarf the scale of those in previous years. This podcast, featuring Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, examines the agency's plan to stay ahead of those threats.
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism has released its latest report on terrorism. The news is good and bad. Acting Coordinator Justin Siberell gave Target USA the most engaging and forthcoming assessment on terrorism to date. Islamic State group, al-Qaida, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations are using technology to elevate their aptitudes to plan and execute sophisticated attacks and, at the same time, incite sympathizers worldwide to support them. Siberell discusses, in depth, the report, examines state sponsors of terrorism, terrorist safe havens, foreign terrorist organizations, and the global challenge of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism.