The One Threat That Terrifies A Former CIA Officer
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou tells Chris Williamson why China is the foreign power he worries about most, how spies get recruited inside the US government, and why he sees Israel as the top immediate infiltration threat.
The gist
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Kiriakou says China rarely invades, instead buying and co-opting countries through ports, airports and factories while spying on the US and its allies.
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He says the US spends 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars a year on defense, wasting it on 210 bases in 144 countries and the F-35.
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Kiriakou notes the national debt passed 40 trillion dollars, making interest the second biggest government expense after defense.
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He names Israel the greatest immediate infiltration threat, citing 187 operatives the FBI found 35 years ago and a recent DIA warning email.
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He explains spies are recruited by spotting, assessing, developing and recruiting targets, then retells how double agent Kim Philby fled to Moscow in a coffin.
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