Senior CIA Ops Officer John Atwell on Culture Change, Working with Five Eyes and Career Advice - Episode 48

Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics Podcast! Today, we are talking to John Atwell. John spent over twenty-three years of experience in operational and analysis roles at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Since leaving the agency, John has spent time as a consultant, become a columnist for the Haiwaii-Tribune Herald, became editor of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and a college lecturer at Haiwaii Community College. We discussed the culture shift in CIA after 9/11, views on allied and adversarial agencies around the world, advice for a career in intelligence and much more.Find John Atwell:LinkedInThe Island Intelligencer on SubstackWe Spoke About:0:32 - John Atwell’s background4:59 - What made John suitable for an operational role at CIA?9:10 - The shift towards paramilitarism at CIA after 9/1112:21 - Will CIA return to its pre-9/11 culture with its focus back to strategic targets?15:04 - CIA and diversity19:40 - Which international intelligence agencies was John impressed by during his career?21:31 - Thoughts on adversarial intelligence agencies23:44 - The growing use of intelligence and counter intelligence by non-state actors26:56 - Is the swing to OSINT, geospatial and cyber at the detriment of HUMINT?29:38 - Why John did not join the private sector after leaving the intelligence community32:06 - John on working with his wife at CIA33:08 - What advice would you give someone who wants a career in intelligence?35:59 - Ahmed’s career journey40:51 - Cultural RecommendationsAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to secret & top secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!Grey DynamicsYouTubeSpotifyApple Podcast Google PodcastAmazon Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.