by Luca Trenta
The podcast interviews experts and authors in the field of intelligence studies, (Cold War) history, and international politics. From US spymasters to James Bond, we explore the secret world of intelligence and covert action, trying to make it accessible and to bring it to light. Started as British Academy Rising Star Engagement Award 2017 Project, now just for the fun.
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Publishing Since
6/12/2017
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November 7, 2024
In today’s episode we welcome Dr Francesca Lessa. Dr Lessa is associate professor in International Relations of the Americas at University College London. Previously, she was a researcher and lecturer at the University of Oxford, where, among other achievements, she secured a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship. Her research focuses on transnational repression, human rights and transitional justice. Her latest book, The Condor Trials, is at the centre of our episode. The book won two major boook awards. The Juan Méndez Human Rights Award in Latin America in 2023 and the Ibero-American Book Award from the Latin American Studies Association in 2024. The episode covers the orgins and historical precedents of Operation CONDOR. We discuss its various components including transnational repression and international assassination squads. We assess the role of the United States and we cover some of the trials that have followed the end of CONDOR and of the military dictatorships in latin America. Listeners of our podcast can secure a special discount price of £35. To secure the discounted price, follow this direct link: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300254099/the-condor-trials/ Use code: Y2443 at the online check-out. Dr Lessa’s Book recommendations: - Fernando Butazzoni, Las Cenizas del Condor (in Spanish) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712211/las-cenizas-del-condor--the-ashes-of-the-condor-by-fernando-butazzoni/ - John Dinges, The Condor Years (particularly recommended here is the new edition of the book including archival material from 2019), https://amzn.eu/d/7LsNkng - Dana Moss and Saipira Furstenberg (Eds.), Transnational Repression in the Age of Globalisation, https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-transnational-repression-in-the-age-of-globalisation.html
October 11, 2023
In this episode we welcome investigative journalist Michela Wrong. Micheal is a leading expert on Africa, particularly the great lakes region. She has written 5 books: a novel set in the horn of Africa and 4 non-fiction books. Her non-fiction and investigative work has focused on the history and politics of Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, and, more recently Rwanda. In 2021 she published Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad, The book explores the repressive nature of the current Rwandan regime with a particularly focus on its extraterritorial repression, including the use of assassination. Building on Michela's book and on a report by Human Rights Watch, the episode covers the Rwandan regime, its intelligence services, and its practices. The core of the episode is a discussion of the use of extraterritorial assassinations. We cover the targets selected for assassination, the rationale behind assassination, and the methods used. We also cover plausible and implausible deniability, the signalling functions of these assassinations at home and abroad. Finally, we discuss the extent to which impunity and the absence of repercussions influences human rights, international norms, and other states' practice. Michela's book recommendations are: - The work of Gerard Prunier on Rwanda and the region, for example, The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide, - The work of Rene Lemarchand, including his Remembering genocides in Central Africa, - David van Reybrouck, Congo: the epic history of a people.
July 20, 2021
In this episode we welcome Dr Dafith Townley. Dr Towley is a lecturer in the Department of history at the University of Reading. He is an expert in intelligence and cyber security. In the episode, we discuss his latest book: The Year of Intelligence in the United States: public opinion, national security, and the 1975 Church Committee (https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030676452) The episode covers the origins of the 1975 investigations into the conduct of the intelligence community, the relationship between the Ford Presidency, Congress, and the CIA, and the results and long-term effects of the investigations. We also discuss a common are of interest that is the Church Committee's investigation of the US government's involvement in assassination. As usual, we conclude with some reading recommendations. I hope you enjoy the show.
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The podcast interviews experts and authors in the field of intelligence studies, (Cold War) history, and international politics. From US spymasters to James Bond, we explore the secret world of intelligence and covert action, trying to make it accessible and to bring it to light.
Started as British Academy Rising Star Engagement Award 2017 Project, now just for the fun.
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