Intelligence Matters Archives

In Intelligence Matters, former acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell, speaks with top leaders of the U.S. intelligence community as they reflect on their life, career and the critical roles they play in shaping national security policies.

As a central figure in the most significant U.S. counter-terror efforts of the past two decades and a former CIA intelligence analyst, Morell is uniquely skilled at taking industry leading knowledge to make connections that provide deep insight into complex security events – helping decode intelligence officials’ key priorities and providing perspectives on how to achieve national security objectives.

Morell is the author of “The Great War of Our Time” and a vivid account of the Central Intelligence Agency, a life in secrets, and a war in the shadows.

Intelligence Matters is produced by The Cipher Brief in partnership with CBS News.

Why Russia “Hacks” Elections: A Spy’s-Eye View

The U.S. is in the grips of spy-mania in the aftermath of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election that has made President Trump’s 2016 election campaign the focus of a federal investigation. But Russia’s active measures to infiltrate and influence the U.S. consciousness didn’t begin, nor end with the 2016 election. For years, John Sipher, a 28-year veteran of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, recruited Russian spies and led counter-intelligence operations against Moscow – and he’s here to talk about what’s behind Russia’s aggressive stance.

The Tom Cotton You Don’t Know

Republican U.S. Senator and Army veteran Tom Cotton is often described as a hawkish conservative for taking a hardline stance on issues like immigration and the Iran nuclear deal. In this interview, Michael Morell steps away from policy and gets a sense of the Arkansas senator’s character, political philosophy and driving influences. Cotton talks about working as his father’s farm hand and learning about his dad’s service in Vietnam. He also discusses his time studying political science and political philosophy at Harvard, and how 9/11 “changed everything,” setting him on the course towards military service and then, the U.S. Senate.

“We the People”: On the Constitution’s Relevance Today

In this episode of Intelligence Matters, Michael Morell talks to constitutional scholar Geoff Stone on constitutional interpretation and its relevance in today’s society. Stone, who authored “Sex and the Constitution” explores oversight of government surveillance on communications and safeguarding a citizen’s personal freedoms. Stone also addresses originalism and affirmative action, what he calls the “most cynical form of judicial review we have today.”

A Family’s Fight to Reverse America’s Opioid Crisis

In this special episode of Intelligence Matters, Michael Morell speaks with retired U.S. Navy Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld about a non-traditional national security threat that has affected him personally: America’s opioid crisis. Winnefeld recently lost his own son Jonathan to opioid addiction, and he is dedicating his life to reversing a crisis he calls a national emergency. The statistics are staggering: the CDC reports that more than 64,000 Americans died in 2016 from a drug overdose – more than 20 times the number of Americans killed on 9/11. Winnefeld – former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – says if America is going to reverse this epidemic, “We need a call to arms” to remove the long-standing stigmas around drug use. He has founded SAFEproject.us (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) to support action that will prevent fatal opioid overdoses, and counter opioid addiction’s impact on our society.

Secret Artifacts: A journey through the world’s most secretive museum

For two decades, Toni Hiley has curated artifacts for the world’s most secretive agency. In a rare public interview, Hiley takes us on a journey through the CIA’s rich history, from the impetus for the agency’s creation, the attack at Pearl Harbor to the foresight of developing Adolph Hitler’s psychological profile during WWII. She tells us the stories behind artifacts obtained from 9/11 Pentagon survivors, the most dangerous allied agent in France, Virginia Hall, and CIA’s ‘Billion Dollar Spy,’ Adolf Tolkachev.

PDDNI on Intelligence, Leadership, and Fallen Officers

The U.S. intelligence community’s second-in-command, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon talks to Michael Morell about being a career CIA officer, starting as a young analyst and working her way to up to leading all four of the CIA’s Directorates. Her vast experience and innovative approach to bridging gaps is what prepared her for the PDDNI role, where she focuses on integrating each of the nation’s intelligence agencies and innovating so that the United States retains its advantage in an ever-growing interconnected world. PDDNI Gordon also talks about leading in a time of political polarization, and reflects on the personal impact of losing officers serving their nation in the field.

Chris Johnson on the U.S.-China relationship

The U.S. relationship with China is arguably one of the most strategically important, as highlighted by the Trump administration calling China a “strategic competitor” in its new national security strategy. In this episode, Michael spends time with Chris Johnson, one of his most trusted former China analysts while the two worked at the CIA, to examine how China has evolved to challenge the U.S. on the global stage: its economic growth; its geopolitical influence; Chinese political power plays and the key factors that drive the U.S.-China relationship.

Terry Roberts on cyber-crime: evolution, variant nature and countering the threat

Cybercrime is one the fastest-growing and most lucrative areas of crime. Former Deputy Director of U.S. Naval Intelligence Terry Roberts, is a global cyber intelligence expert with more than 30 years in the intelligence community. This week she joins Intelligence Matters and talks to Michael about how nation-states, groups and individual actors leverage the global cyber domain, how it affects our economy and what we need to do to safeguard ourselves against an ever-evolving threat.

Congressman Adam Schiff on Russian Probe

The House Intelligence Committee's top Democratic member, Congressman Adam Schiff talks to Michael about the investigation of Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. He talks about the one thing Russian President Vladimir Putin fears most, why Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is critical to protecting the homeland and why intelligence is not a perfect science.

Philip Gordon on the brewing crisis in the Middle East

Leading international relations expert Philip Gordon, helps decipher the complexities in the Middle East: the actions and motives of major players and why the big national security challenges and risks that we face as Americans all emanate one way or another from the region.

Spy vs. Spy: Mark Kelton on Cold War intrigue and treason

Former CIA Counterintelligence Chief Mark Kelton talks to Michael Morell about his years working in Cold War outposts, how the U.S.-Russia adversarial relationship has evolved and what double agents Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen have in common with Edward Snowden.

Robert Cardillo on the NGA’s role in the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound

In this week’s episode of Intelligence Matter’s Michael speaks with Robert Cardillo, the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Cardillo explains the agency’s mission and how advanced imagery was used in the NGA’s creation of a replica of Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad in preparation for the May 2, 2011 raid. Cardillo also talks about what differentiated President Barack Obama’s leadership style and looks back on the many tough meetings and long hours spent in the Situation Room.

Pedro Burelli on what’s behind the crisis in Venezuela

On this episode of Intelligence Matters, Michael Morell talks with Pedro Burelli, a former member of the Executive Board of Petróleos de Venezuela about is behind the crisis in Venezuela, what fueled firebrand leader Hugo Chávezs’ paranoia, how the nation evolved to a narco-state, the current humanitarian crisis, and whether the country can recover without an outside intervention. Intelligence Matters is the new, wildly popular podcast from The Cipher Brief in partnership with CBS News, where former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell speaks with top leaders about the key national security issues of our time.

Michèle Flournoy on Major U.S. Foreign Policy Crises

In this special episode of Intelligence Matters, Michael Morell speaks with former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michèle Flournoy about the future of the U.S. military, the Iran nuclear deal, the North Korea crisis, Russian election interference and the U.S. falling into the shadow of China’s economic dominance. However, Flournoy does not only weigh in on the headlines, but offers advice to young women interested in a national security career field. When her nomination was confirmed by the Senate in 2009, Flournoy became the highest-ranking woman at the Pentagon in the department’s history.

Laura Rosenberger on Rising within the National Security Ranks

In this week’s episode of Intelligence Matters, former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell speaks to Laura Rosenberger, a name that may not be immediately recognizable but who at a young age rose the ranks to hold influential senior foreign policy advisor roles. Rosenberger talks about the events of 9/11 inspiring her to a civil service career, and the mentors and champions that helped propel her to the West Wing of the Barack Obama White House in the National Security Council. She talks about her time working as the Foreign Policy Advisor for the Hillary for America campaign, why she thinks Clinton lost the election and Russia’s influence on the campaign.

Former DNI Iran Mission Manager Norman Roule on the Iran Nuclear Deal

The DNI’s former Iran Mission Manager, Norman Roule was the leading specialist responsible for integrating collection and analysis on Iran across the Intelligence Community and in this week’s episode of Intelligence Matters he talks to former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell about whether he believes Iran is complying with its JCPOA obligations, the destabilizing effect of Iran’s regional behavior and whether U.S. President Donald Trump’s gamble to decertify the nuclear deal will pay off.

Executive Editor Kim Dozier talks about dedicating her life to journalism

On this week's episode of Intelligence Matters, former acting CIA Director Michael Morell talks with Kimberly Dozier. Dozier was a CBS correspondent for 17 years, and was stationed in Baghdad for three years before being critically wounded. A Peabody and Edward R. Murrow award winner, Dozier started reporting on national security for the Daily Beast, and has now joined The Cipher Brief as Executive Editor. Listen in as Dozier talks about her unique childhood traveling the world, her experiences reporting on the field, and the challenges facing the media today.

President Obama’s Chief of Staff Denis McDonough reflects on Family, Values, Lessons learned and a Life in Public Service

In this week’s episode of Intelligence Matters, former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough talks about his view of American exceptionalism in creating opportunities for its citizens, how his ideologies were deeply influenced by both his upbringing and travels, and what distinguishes President Barack Obama in his view from other government officials. In a wide-ranging interview with former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell, McDonough talks about being one of eleven children and the values he gained from being raised in a devout Catholic family in Stillwater, Minnesota. After graduation from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota McDonough traveled extensively in South America, and describes the experiences that helped shape his worldview.. In 1996 he began his career in government as an aide on the Hill – he talks about the lessons learned and skills gained that led to his appointment the 26^th White House Chief of Staff, succeeding Jack Lew at the beginning of President Barack Obama’s second term. Despite his meteoric rise in government, McDonough remains deeply humble and viewed his role in the White House, as having to tee up decisions for the President to make, a conduit emphasizing the value that he attached to that.

Former National Security Advisor Tom Donilon looks back on his Career

In this week’s episode of Intelligence Matters, former acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell speaks with former National Security Advisor Tom Donilon about his distinguished career in government: working as a top security advisory in the White House, his thoughts on U.S. President Barack Obama and his advice for the current administration on the most pressing security concerns of our time. As he looks back on his career, Donilon describes an unlikely route to national security and foreign policy. From getting his start in 1977 working for U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a young aid right out of college, to seeing through Carter’s transition to private life. As Donilon talks about Carter’s influence, he cites him as the first of a handful of mentors who were crucial in helping forge his path into public service. As a young Tom Donilon set his sights on opening a consulting firm, it was former Secretary of State Warren Christopher helped propel the young attorney into the political arena. He served as National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2010-2013 where he was responsible for the coordination and integration of the administration’s foreign policy, intelligence, and military efforts. Tom Donilon is vice chair of the international law firm of O’Melveny & Myers. He is a leading national security expert with deep experience in geopolitics, cybersecurity, financial services, and corporate governance.

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani talks about the Escalating Crisis with North Korea

This week we have a special episode of Intelligence Matters with Michael Morell, in which, The Cipher Brief expert Ambassador Joseph DeTrani weighs in on mounting tensions between the United States and North Korea. The exchange of fiery rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and members of the North Korean regime raises the question, is this war of words a precursor to armed conflict, escalating the crisis to a tipping point. Trump has publicly rebuked his predecessors for leaving him what he described “a mess,” and intensified warnings to North Korea making clear that a military option would be “devastating” to them. Kim Jong-Un’s regime have said that Trump’s continued statements amount to a “declaration of war” and threaten to shoot down U.S. warplanes in international airspace. Ambassador DeTrani, who is one of our nation’s leading experts on issues related to North Korea, China and nuclear nonproliferation talks to former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell about what drove North Korea to develop a nuclear program, how we got to where we are today, the alarming advancements the North Korean regime has made in creating miniaturized nuclear warheads and offers thoughts on what the best path forward is for the United States. Ambassador DeTrani was President of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, a professional Think Tank. Previously, he was the Special envoy for Six Party Talks with North Korea and the U.S. Representative to the Korea Energy Development Organization (KEDO). He was an Associate Director of National Intelligence and Mission Manager for North Korea and the Director of National Counter Proliferation Center, while serving as a Special Adviser to the Director of National Intelligence. He served over two decades with the Central Intelligence Agency as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service. He is currently on the Board of Managers at Sandia National Laboratories.

Director of National Counterterrorism Center Nicholas Rasmussen

In this week’s episode of Intelligence Matters with Michael Morell, we hear from the Director of National Counterterrorism Center Nicholas Rasmussen who in a rare interview gives insight into the dramatic progress made against ISIS in the battlefield, why Al Qaeda is still priority to analysts, primary threats currently facing the homeland and how the terror threat has evolved. Rasmussen is the top analyst on terrorism in the United States with nearly two decades’ experience in the counterterror field. As senior NCTC and CIA officials, Rasmussen and Morell worked closely with one another, sharing counterterrorism-related intelligence information that ensured effective intra-agency coordination and ultimately led to the operation that resulted in the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. The NCTC, initially known as the Terrorist Threat Integration Center, was created at the recommendation of the 9/11 commission to ensure that information on potential terror threats from federal departments and agencies (such as the CIA and FBI) could be merged in a single location and appropriate responses could then be planned.

Secretary Leon Panetta

In the premiere episode of Intelligence Matters, former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell puts his analyst hat on for a wide-ranging conversation with former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Morell succeeded Panetta as Acting Director of the Agency in 2011 when Panetta left to take on the role of Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama. While the two men worked together, and both currently serve as Senior Counselors at Beacon Global Strategies – a geopolitical consulting firm based in Washington– the two have never had a conversation quite like this before. Morell talks to the Secretary about the spread of extremism, North Korea, and the importance of U.S. leadership in the world. They also get personal in this hour long chat – covering Panetta’s humble beginnings as the son of Italian immigrants, his inspired passion for public service, and candid advice for President Trump.

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