Space, Defence, & Security podcast

In this episode, we dive into the shadowy world of counterintelligence and double agents—where betrayal, deception, and high-stakes espionage shape global security. Join us as we unravel the complex operations of double agents, their role in modern spycraft, and the constant tug-of-war between loyalty and treachery.

We’ll also explore a bold and surprising twist in the intelligence community: the CIA’s recent public outreach to recruit spies from rival nations like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. How does this shift from covert to open recruitment impact international espionage and geopolitical tensions? What motivates individuals to turn against their governments, and how do intelligence agencies manage these high-risk relationships? Whether you’re a seasoned espionage enthusiast or new to the world of intelligence, this episode will keep you on the edge of your seat as we expose the intricate web of counterintelligence and the daring moves being made in today’s spy games.

About the guest speaker:

Douglas London retired from the CIA in 2019 after 34 years as a Senior Operations Officer, Chief of Station, and CIA’s Counterterrorism Chief for South and Southwest Asia. He served primarily in the Middle East, South Asia, the former Soviet Republics, and Africa, with senior management positions for the Near East, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Iran, and Cyber operations. Mr. London is a Non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and is the author of the book “The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence,” concerning the CIA’s post-9/11 transformation. Mr. London has been a contributor to the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Politico, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The Hill, CNN, Just Security, The Atlantic Council and the Middle East Institute.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

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In this episode, we delve into the covert world of espionage and intelligence operations. From the rigorous training and psychological conditioning that mold the minds of intelligence officers to the art of asset recruitment, listeners will gain an inside look at the secretive techniques used to gather information and outmaneuver adversaries. We’ll explore real-world case studies of recruitment operations, discuss the ethical dilemmas officers face, and examine how modern technology is transforming spycraft. Join us as we uncover the intricate web of deception, loyalty, and strategy that defines the intelligence community.

About the guest speaker:

Mr. Lawler serves as a national security consultant and is the Senior Partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training to the Intelligence Community and the commercial sector focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues. Mr. Lawler is a noted speaker on the Insider Threat in government and industry and has been the guest on numerous national podcasts. Prior to this, Mr. Lawler served for 25 years as a CIA operations officer in various international posts and as Chief of the Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit. He had five overseas assignments from 1982 to 1994.

Mr. Lawler was a member of CIA's Senior Intelligence Service (SIS-3) from 1998 until his retirement in 2005. He was a specialist in the recruitment of foreign spies, and he spent well over half of his CIA career battling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As Chief of the A.Q. Khan Nuclear Takedown Team, which resulted in the disruption of the most dangerous nuclear weapons network in history, Mr. Lawler was the recipient of one of the CIA's Trailblazer Awards in 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of CIA. In 2004, former DCI George Tenet sent Mr. Lawler a note which stated, “Jim, what you and your team have achieved will rank up there as one of the most spectacular intelligence accomplishments in the history of the CIA. It occurred because of your exemplary leadership. Not only are we in the process of taking down a network, we are also in the process of disarming a country as a result of your fine work. With respect, George J. Tenet” And former DDCI John McLaughlin noted that the effort was “the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a perfect intelligence operation.”

Mr. Lawler also received the Director's Award from DCI George Tenet, the U.S. Intelligence Community's HUMINT Collector of the Year Award, and the Donovan Award from the CIA's Deputy Director of Operations.

Prior to his career in intelligence, Mr. Lawler practiced law and was the president of a steel components company in Texas. He has written two novels: Living Lies, an espionage story of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and In the Twinkling of an Eye, about recruiting a spy at the heart of a devastating covert Russian-North Korean genetic bioweapons program. Both have been cleared by the CIA’s Publication Review Board. Living Lies was published in August 2021, and In the Twinkling of an Eye was published in April 2022. In December 2022, Spyscape named Living Lies as #38 on its list of Fifty Best Spy Novels ever written, according to other intelligence officers. He is currently completing his third espionage novel, The Traitor’s Tale, about treachery and treason deep within the CIA.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into the covert world of espionage and intelligence operations. From the rigorous training and psychological conditioning that mold the minds of intelligence officers to the art of asset recruitment, listeners will gain an inside look at the secretive techniques used to gather information and outmaneuver adversaries. We’ll explore real-world case studies of recruitment operations, discuss the ethical dilemmas officers face, and examine how modern technology is transforming spycraft. Join us as we uncover the intricate web of deception, loyalty, and strategy that defines the intelligence community.

About the guest speaker:

Mr. Lawler serves as a national security consultant and is the Senior Partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training to the Intelligence Community and the commercial sector focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues. Mr. Lawler is a noted speaker on the Insider Threat in government and industry and has been the guest on numerous national podcasts. Prior to this, Mr. Lawler served for 25 years as a CIA operations officer in various international posts and as Chief of the Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit. He had five overseas assignments from 1982 to 1994.

Mr. Lawler was a member of CIA's Senior Intelligence Service (SIS-3) from 1998 until his retirement in 2005. He was a specialist in the recruitment of foreign spies, and he spent well over half of his CIA career battling the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As Chief of the A.Q. Khan Nuclear Takedown Team, which resulted in the disruption of the most dangerous nuclear weapons network in history, Mr. Lawler was the recipient of one of the CIA's Trailblazer Awards in 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of CIA. In 2004, former DCI George Tenet sent Mr. Lawler a note which stated, “Jim, what you and your team have achieved will rank up there as one of the most spectacular intelligence accomplishments in the history of the CIA. It occurred because of your exemplary leadership. Not only are we in the process of taking down a network, we are also in the process of disarming a country as a result of your fine work. With respect, George J. Tenet” And former DDCI John McLaughlin noted that the effort was “the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a perfect intelligence operation.”

Mr. Lawler also received the Director's Award from DCI George Tenet, the U.S. Intelligence Community's HUMINT Collector of the Year Award, and the Donovan Award from the CIA's Deputy Director of Operations.

Prior to his career in intelligence, Mr. Lawler practiced law and was the president of a steel components company in Texas. He has written two novels: Living Lies, an espionage story of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and In the Twinkling of an Eye, about recruiting a spy at the heart of a devastating covert Russian-North Korean genetic bioweapons program. Both have been cleared by the CIA’s Publication Review Board. Living Lies was published in August 2021, and In the Twinkling of an Eye was published in April 2022. In December 2022, Spyscape named Living Lies as #38 on its list of Fifty Best Spy Novels ever written, according to other intelligence officers. He is currently completing his third espionage novel, The Traitor’s Tale, about treachery and treason deep within the CIA.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOTE: Episode 98 is a follow-up of episode 97, so I kindly request you to first listen to episode 97 to connect with our discussion in episode 98.

In this episode, we discuss one of the most critical regions shaping the future of global stability. As the Indo-Pacific emerges as a central hub for international trade, military alliances, and geopolitical maneuvering, we explore how nations within the region are influencing global peace and security. From maritime security and freedom of navigation to the strategic interests of major powers like the US, China, India, and Japan, we analyze the complex dynamics at play. Join us as we unpack the region's evolving role in fostering cooperation, mitigating conflicts, and addressing pressing challenges such as territorial disputes and power competition.

About the guest speaker:

Dr. Joanna Siekiera is an international lawyer and works as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, War Studies University in Warsaw, Poland. She is also a fellow at the US Marine Corps University in Quantico and supports various military institutions, primarily NATO, as a legal advisor.

Dr. Siekiera did her postdoctoral research at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, Norway, and Ph.D. studies in New Zealand at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington. She worked in Polish diplomatic missions in Canada and Estonia.

She is the author of over 100 scientific publications in several languages, legal opinions for the Polish Ministry of Justice, the book “Regional Policy in the South Pacific”, and the editor of 9 monographs on international law, international relations, and security. Her areas of expertise are the law of armed conflict (lawfare, legal culture in armed conflict, NATO legal framework) and the Indo-Pacific region, Pacific law, and maritime security.

Dr. Siekiera took part in over 80 interviews and podcasts promoting science, interdisciplinary, and multidimensional research. She speaks 8 languages and currently is learning Chinese.

1. “Europe's Role in Indo-Pacific Security with Dr. Joanna Siekiera” Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) 18.07.2024 [USA]
2. “21st Century as the Pacific Century” New Books Network 18.06.2024 [USA]
3. “Decoding Crisis in the Indo-Pacific | Dr. Joanna Siekiera | Exclusive Interview” The Prode 24.05.2024 [United Kingdom]
4. “Joanna Siekiera on China” Cognitive Crucible Podcast 18.03.2024 [USA]
5. “Dragons in the West: Chinese Communist Party Threats in Europe and the Imperative of a Strategic Pivot” Irregular Warfare Initiative 27.02.2024 [USA].

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

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In this episode, we explore how Northern Waves is pushing the boundaries of microwave engineering and additive manufacturing to create high-precision components for space applications. From advanced satellite systems to efficient communication technologies, discover how these breakthroughs are revolutionizing satellite manufacturing, improving performance, and unlocking new possibilities for space exploration and related infrastructure.

About Northern Waves:

Northern Waves, is a Swedish start-up company specializing in additive manufacturing for microwave components. As a frontrunner in the field of microwave technology, Northern Waves leverages the power of additive manufacturing to design and produce high-performance microwave components with exceptional precision and efficiency.

About the guest speakers

Jose Rico: He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Oviedo, Spain. He began his professional career at ArcelorMittal R&D, where he discovered and developed his passion for additive manufacturing. This interest became the focus of his PhD research, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. His extensive expertise in microwave components and additive manufacturing culminated in the founding of Northern Waves AB.

Omar Orgeira: He holds a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Oviedo and a Master's degree in Electromagnetics Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. He gained valuable experience at the Fraunhofer FHR Institute, where he developed radar and microwave systems for both civilian and military applications. Currently, he serves as CTO at Northern Waves AB, leveraging his extensive expertise in microwave design and additive manufacturing.

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