CIA Under Trump (ft. Tim Weiner) | China’s UK Spy Nest, US to Squeeze Cuba, Russia Tests NATO

What happens when intelligence agencies are no longer trusted, or when political leaders choose not to heed their warnings? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tim Weiner explores that question in his latest book, The Mission, tracing how the CIA has evolved from an organization shaped by presidential ambitions for covert action into an agency facing a growing crisis of trust in the information age.

Weiner discusses the uneasy relationship between secrecy and truth, the parallels between intelligence work and journalism, and how betrayal and trust shape both professions. He also examines what he sees as the growing danger posed by partisan purges within the US intelligence community under President Donald Trump.

Sir Richard Dearlove and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood also discuss the latest geopolitical developments, including a secret CIA task force in Cuba that could be laying the groundwork for a more American-friendly government, controversy in London over a proposed new Chinese embassy, and US intelligence assessments that Russia's use of stray missiles and drones could be testing NATO's resolve.

(03:07) Secret CIA Cuba Task Force

(07:24) New Chinese Embassy in London

(12:31) Will Putin Test NATO’s Resolve?

(14:37) Interview with Tim Weiner

(15:29) Difficulty of Writing About the CIA

(20:07) Human Element of Espionage

(22:56) Evolution of the CIA

(25:57) Sir Richard’s Post-9/11 Intel Recollections

(30:08) Journalists, Intelligence, and Secrecy

(34:58) Intelligence and Policy

(39:59) Modern CIA Missions Under Trump

(48:31) Partisan Purges in US Intel Services

(54:55) Can Institutional Trust Recover?

(58:48) Trump’s Potential Paradoxical Legacy

(01:02:47) One Decision to Watch

(01:03:32) Takeaways, Audience Comments, and Wrap Up 

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and guest co-host Rosanna Lockwood (international journalist).