Politicization of US Intelligence: Causes and Consequences

Politicization of US Intelligence: Causes and Consequences

Author: The Institute of World Politics December 15, 2023 Duration: 56:47
***This lecture is sponsored by the IWP IAFIE Alpha Student Chapter*** About the Lecture: "The Politicization of U.S. Intelligence: Causes and Consequences” is a presentation in association with Dr. Gentry's recent book, Neutering the CIA: Why US Intelligence Versus Trump Has Long-Term Consequences (Armin Lear Press, 2023). Beginning in 2016 and continuing into 2021, current and former U.S. intelligence officers engaged in domestic partisan politics to an unprecedented extent. This discussion will describe and assess what happened at various agencies, the causes of the politicization, consequences for the agencies and national decision-making, and prospects for renewed politicization in 2024. ***Copies of Dr. Gentry's book will be made available for purchase at the conclusion of the event and can be signed by the author.*** Purchase the book here. About the Author: Dr. John A. Gentry teaches for the School of Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University. He was for 12 years an intelligence analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, where he mainly worked on economic issues associated with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries; for two of those years, he was a senior analyst on the staff of the National Intelligence Officer for Warning. He is a retired U.S. Army Reserve officer, with most assignments in special operations and intelligence arenas. He was mobilized in 1996 and spent much of 1996 as a civil affairs officer in Bosnia. Dr. Gentry formerly taught at Georgetown University, Columbia University, and the National Intelligence University. He has an economics background and received a Ph.D. in political science from George Washington University. He writes regularly on intelligence and security issues. His most recently published book is Neutering the CIA: Why US Intelligence versus Trump Has Long-Term Consequences (Armin Lear Press, 2023).

Tune into The Institute of World Politics for a direct line to the conversations shaping our world. This isn't a series of lectures, but a collection of dialogues and talks from a unique graduate school focused squarely on national security, statecraft, and international affairs. Each episode brings you the voices of seasoned practitioners, scholars, and policy experts who grapple with complex global realities. You'll hear in-depth discussions on the ethical dimensions of foreign policy, the foundations of the American political economy, and the enduring principles of the Western moral tradition as they apply to contemporary challenges. The podcast serves as an audio extension of the Institute's mission to cultivate thoughtful leaders, offering listeners a chance to engage with ideas that inform real-world decision-making. It's an opportunity to sit in on nuanced conversations that move beyond headlines, providing context and depth on how nations interact, compete, and cooperate. Remember, the perspectives shared by guest speakers are their own, fostering a rich diversity of thought on critical issues. For anyone curious about the forces driving international events and the art of principled leadership, this podcast provides a substantive and compelling resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Institute of World Politics
Podcast Episodes
Soulcatcher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
About the Lecture: James Lawler’s talk, titled “Soulcatcher,” delves into the complex and often disturbing motivations that drive ordinary people to commit espionage. Drawing from his extensive 25-year career as a senior…
Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:03
About the Book: In public life, Dr. Winthrop Bell of Halifax was a Harvard philosophy professor and wealthy businessman. But as MI6 secret agent A12, he evaded gunfire and shook off pursuers to break open the emerging Na…
Countering the Dragon: Preparing for Potential Chinese Aggression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:37
An Alexander Hamilton Society student roundtable discussion focusing on current affairs in East Asia, what would happen leading up to an invasion of Taiwan or conflict breaking out in the South China Sea, the policy impl…
UNESCO 3.0 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:46
About the Debate: In Nov 1945, the U.S. joined UNESCO, a new post-WWII organization designed to promote world peace and security. In Dec 1984, President Reagan took the U.S. out of UNESCO citing corruption and mismanagem…
Book Lecture: Revealing Secrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:36
***This lecture is sponsored by the IAFIE Washington DC Chapter and the IWP IAFIE Alpha Student Chapter*** About the Lecture: For a long time, the Australian Signals intelligence (or Sigint) story has been kept secret. U…