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Ep 658
SpyCast 11.5.24
Ep 658 | 11.5.24

“The Skinny on Cuban Intelligence” – with Counterintelligence expert Ean Forsythe

Show Notes
Transcript

Summary

Ean Forsythe joins Andrew to discuss the history of Cuban intelligence. Ean is the Counterintelligence and Security Center Chair at the National Intelligence University. 

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

  • The history and evolution of Cuban intelligence
  • Case studies, including Ana Montes, Kendall Meyers, and the Cuban Five
  • Counterintelligence strategies and challenges
  • The role of Cuban intelligence during the Cold War

Reflections

  • Ideology and the power of ideas
  • Offensive vs. defensive play 

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

This week, Andrew was joined by Ean Forsythe, a counterintelligence expert with over 25 years of experience in the intelligence field. Over the course of his career, Ean has had the unique opportunity to sit across the table debriefing some of Cuba’s most damaging spies, including Ana Belen Montes. 

Now, Ean serves as the Counterintelligence and Security Center chair at the National Intelligence University here in Washington, DC, teaching the next generation of intelligence professionals. Today, he joined us in the studio to share insights on the fascinating yet often overlooked world of Cuban intelligence. 

And… 

The CIA reportedly came up with some very creative plots to kill Fidel Castro – Hundreds of them, in fact! Read about a couple of the Castro Assassination Plots here, in a document released under the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act. 

Quotes of the Week

“Cuba is relentless. They’re aggressive, and they’re bold, and they take the initiative to us … Foreign influence efforts can be much deeper than just trying to influence an election. IT can be trying to shape and demotivate a people.” – Ean Forsythe.

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

*Beginner Resources*

DEEPER DIVE

Books

  • Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)
  • To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. M. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021)
  • United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)

Articles

Video

Primary Sources 

*Wildcard Resource*

SpyCast
Podcast Info
HOST(S):
Andrew Hammond
Erin Dietrick
Andrew Hammond, Ph.D. is Historian & Curator at the International Spy Museum, home of the world's preeminent collection of intelligence-related artifacts. Previous chapters have included seven years in the RAF, Public Humanities at the 9/11 Museum in NYC, Fellowships here, there, and everywhere, and academia. He is author of the forthcoming book: "Struggles for Freedom": Afghanistan & US Foreign Policy Since 1979. He loves bialys.
Erin Dietrick is the Programs & Podcast Assistant at the International Spy Museum. Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, where she studied history. She also holds an MA in Museum Studies from the George Washington University. Erin is passionate about storytelling, inspiring critical thinking, and inciting joy through museum programming. She has a special place in her heart for music history and named her orange cat Ringo after Ringo Starr.
Schedule: Tuesdays, 7am EST (weekly)
Credits: SPY: Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughn III, Co-Producers; Emily Rens and Emily Coletta, Graphics; Afua Anokwa and Ariel Samuel, Social Media; Erin Dietrick, Researcher, Scheduler, Editor, Co-Producer, Social Media; Andrew Hammond, Writer, Editor-in-Chief, Executive Producer. CYBERWIRE: Elliott Peltzman, Sound Design; Elliott Peltzman and Tré Hester, mixing; Jen Eiben, Co-producer, Social Media; SpyCast opening music: Wayne Jones, “Cypher” (2018).
Creator: International Spy Museum
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