31 Jan 2026
49m

Dead Drops and Disguises - A Female CIA Officer in 1980s Moscow (441)

Podcast cover

Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times

The podcast explores Susan Miller's journey from a journalism student to a CIA operations officer during the Cold War. Miller recounts her initial, almost accidental, application to the CIA and the rigorous vetting process that followed, including humorous anecdotes about questions regarding drug use. She details her paramilitary training, which included weapons handling and surveillance detection, and her subsequent assignment to Moscow. Miller describes the intensive Russian language training she underwent and shares insights into surveillance techniques, disguises, and the challenges of operating in Moscow during the late 1980s, including witnessing a significant anti-Soviet protest.

Outlines

Part 1: Recruitment, Vetting, and Early Career

Part 2: CIA Training and Paramilitary Skills

Part 3: Operational Tradecraft in Moscow

Part 4: Historical Context and Outlook

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Open full episode in Podwise