How might someone who worked at the CIA or NSA view what’s happening around the world? What can we learn about politics and risk from the intelligence vantage p...
2025 began with a tragic, ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in New Orleans that serves as a disturbing reminder of the enduring terrorism threat both at home and abroad. Join Jack and Julia as we discuss the evolution of terrorism over the past several decades, and what we should be watching out for today. On this episode, we’ll consider:How the threat to the homeland has evolved since 9/11, and the role of US agencies and citizens in advancing our collective securityThe rise and threat of ISIS-K-- the ISIS affiliate group based in Afghanistan that was responsible for the most significant terrorist attacks of 2024The differences between lone wolf and coordinated attacks and how the two are connected through global events and borderless ideologies
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36:39
Before the Handoff: What to Expect Leading Up to the Presidential Inauguration
In the immediate aftermath of the 2024 US elections, global leaders are recalibrating their political strategies and vying for President Trump’s good favor. But what can we expect over the course of the next two months before Trump takes office, and what’s the broader outlook for global stability?Join Jack and Julia for a discussion about how President Trump’s second term is already resonating and impacting policy decisions on both the domestic and international fronts. On this episode, we’ll consider:The new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and what, if anything, government leaders can learn from business leadersIf “America First” implies “America Alone” and if Washington will be able to reestablish a bipartisan approach to foreign policyImplications for China as a global economic powerhouse, and the possibility of ceasefire agreements in Eastern Europe and throughout the Middle EastDevine, J. (2024, October 11). Opinion: Trump or Harris? Whoever wins will lose wars without bipartisan consensus. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2024/10/11/trump-harris-china-russia-iran-monitor-election/75555336007/*Mentioned 0:07:34:70
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29:54
A Sprawling Web of War and Peace
On the cusp of the 2024 US presidential election, only one thing looks certain: the next US president is going to inherit two major ongoing wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. And right now, these wars appear to be expanding, not shrinking.Join Jack and Julia for a thoughtful discussion about these ongoing conflicts and what their outcome might mean for the future of global security. On this episode, we’ll consider:The latest status of the fight between Russia and UkraineHow the politics of regional states and global alliances are evolving and impacting the battleThe role of diplomacy and what it might take to have an upcoming period of peace in both Ukraine and the Middle East
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20:00
Acts of Betrayal, Part One: Hearts and Minds
Betrayal is a complicated act of “deliberate disloyalty” that can shock and unravel the fabric of any relationship. But when an intelligence officer is caught working for the other side, the damage is amplified - shattering the hard-won trust among colleagues and spy agencies that’s essential to doing effective intelligence work. The reasons why an officer might defect, however, can vary widely and have implications of their own.Join Jack and Julia for a colorful conversation about what motivated historic double agents like Kim Philby and Aldrich “Rick Ames” to defect, and the consequences of their betrayal.On this episode we’ll discuss:Why the famous British intelligence officer Kim Philby chose to defect and how he managed to get away with it for so longJack’s take on the motivations of fellow CIA officer Rick Ames – including personal insights as to why Ames defectedThe dangerous impact of high-level intelligence betrayals on both individual lives and global operations
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36:01
Screen of Spies
Hollywood serves as a powerful recruiting mechanism for spy agencies like the CIA- using the screen to glamorize the work of intelligence operatives worldwide- but it also contributes to some of the biggest misunderstandings of what spies do and how they operate. Join Jack and Julia for a fun and enlightening conversation about what Hollywood gets right- and what it gets wrong- in its portrayal of the spy-world. On this episode we’ll discuss:What’s real and fake about James Bond and other famous spy movies – replete with anecdotes of Jack’s fame-studded encounters.The essential but unglamourous aspect of teamwork in accomplishing real-world intelligence operations.How Hollywood’s ideas for seemingly unrealistic spy technology can inspire what happens off-screen.If Hollywood’s portrayal of the spy-world ultimately helps or hurts the work of clandestine organizations.
How might someone who worked at the CIA or NSA view what’s happening around the world? What can we learn about politics and risk from the intelligence vantage point- past and present? Straight from the Shoulder is a podcast that strives to analyze geopolitical events through the apolitical lens of intelligence officers. The podcast features commentary by Jack Devine, former Acting Deputy Director of Operations at the CIA and President The Arkin Group in conversation with Julia Stone, former government Intelligence Analyst and Senior Director at The Arkin Group. Listeners can expect a candid, non-partisan, and lively discussion that seeks to unravel the complex issues that threaten security and global stability.
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