Trust us, former CIA spy and counter-terrorism chief John Kiriakou’s life is far more fascinating than the majority of what's on Netflix. And even if you don’t immediately recognize his name, you are definitely aware of his impact.

For 15 years John worked in the highest levels of US intelligence and government, advising war-time Presidents, military leaders, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and even serving as a CIA spy in field operations overseas. After 9/11, he personally led the first successful counter-terrorism raid in Pakistan to capture the highest ranking Al Queda official to date.

Shortly thereafter however, John Kiriakou gained international scrutiny as a CIA whistle-blower, intentionally confirming to a global audience via ABC News that the US was violating our own stated ethical beliefs, and international law, by illegally torturing prisoners at Guantanamo Bay through water-boarding. This principled stand led John’s former employer to charge him with espionage, and forced him to serve two years in prison even as the truth of illegal US water-boarding became common knowledge and independently confirmed.

From being a CIA spy, to a middle east expert, author, speaker, film consultant, and even a prisonor battling the very national-security behemoth he once loyally served, John Kiriakou has led one of the more amazing lives imaginable, and his knowledge on fascinating and complex topics is as deep as it is rare.

Please join us in this conversation as former CIA intelligence officer John Kiriakou gives us invaluable insight into the way the national-security apparatus operates, accesses the current middle east flashpoints, and tells some great stories in between. And then, make sure to check out John’s excellent daily news podcast “Political Misfits” for a non-partisan take on domestic and geo-politics by signing up for his substack here:

John’s Substack “Loud and Clear with John Kiriakou”

This is a link to his radio show:

Political Misfits Radio Show

Here's where you can buy all his books here:

John Kiriakou’s Books

And please remember to share this episode with a friend. Thanks for listening!